Istanbul stages theater, music and exhibitions Nov. 9-15

Istanbul hosts a packed cultural calendar from Nov. 9 to 15, with theater, ballet, concerts, a film festival and exhibitions taking place on both the European and Asian sides of the city.

The Fundacion Antonio Gades company performs “Carmen,” a flamenco show staged by Antonio Gades and Carlos Saura, on Nov. 11 at Zorlu PSM in Besiktas on the European side. The production is shown in Türkiye for the first time.

Several programs on Nov. 10 commemorate Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on the anniversary of his death. The Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM) on Taksim Square hosts an Ataturk Week concert titled “Songs Left by Ata” (Ata’dan Yadigar Sarkilar).

The Caddebostan Cultural Center (CKM) in Kadikoy on the Asian side holds a program featuring the talk “Ataturk Never Dies” (Ataturk Olmez) and the concert “Songs Ataturk Loved” (Ataturk’un Sevdigi Sarkilar) by the Kadikoy Municipality Music Volunteers. The Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra will perform a commemorative concert on Nov. 13 as part of its DenizBank Concerts series.

The 14th Bogazici Film Festival runs through Nov. 15. The Bogazici Culture and Arts Foundation organizes it with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s General Directorate of Cinema. On Nov. 9, Iranian director Majid Majidi’s film “Sun Children” (Gunesin Cocuklari) is screened at Atlas 1948 Cinema in Beyoglu on the European side, followed by the master class “The Art of Portraying Humanity: On Cinema With Majid Majidi” (Insani Anlatma Sanati: Majid Majidi ile Sinema Uzerine). The festival also includes master classes, workshops and Bosphorus Talks sessions.

Actors perform a scene from "Afife," a theatrical production inspired by the life of pioneering Turkish actress Afife Jale, in Istanbul, Türkiye, 2026. (AA Photo

Theater

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) City Theaters stages the following plays on Nov. 11-14:

• “The Romani Boxer” (Cingene Boksor): Muze Gazhane Meydan Stage, Kadikoy
• “Tartuffe”: Muze Gazhane Prof. Dr. Sevda Sener Stage, Kadikoy
• “Dear Yelena Sergeyevna” (Sevgili Yelena Sergeyevna): Uskudar Musahipzade Celal Stage, Uskudar
• “The Play That Goes Off the Rails” (Yoldan Cikan Oyun): Umraniye Stage, Umraniye
• “Shadow of the Past” (Gecmisin Golgesi): Uskudar Kerem Yilmazer Stage, Uskudar
• “The Bandits” (Haramiler): Kagithane Sadabad Stage, Kagithane

The children’s play “Spaghetti With Ketchup” (Ketcapli Spagetti) is also staged at the Umraniye Stage on Nov. 11-14.

The Istanbul State Theater presents “Sumud (Gaza)” (Sumud (Gazze)) on Nov. 10-14 at the Mecidiyekoy Grand Stage. Written and directed by Cem Zeynel Kilic, the play tells the story of a family’s resistance in Gaza. “A Picasso” (Bir Picasso), written by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Turan Gunay, is staged on Nov. 10-13 at the Mecidiyekoy Studio Stage. The play follows Pablo Picasso’s confrontations in Nazi-occupied Paris. Mecidiyekoy is part of the Sisli district on the European side.

Other productions this week:

• “Ward No. 6” (Altinci Kogus), adapted from Anton Chekhov’s work: Nov. 10 and 14, Bakirkoy Boutique Stage
• “Veronika Decides to Die” (Veronika Olmek Istiyor), adapted from Paulo Coelho’s novel: Nov. 10 and 14, Taksim Chamber Theater
• “The Wren” (Calikusu), adapted from Resat Nuri Guntekin’s novel: Nov. 10, 12 and 16, Taksim Istiklal Stage

• “Of Mice and Men” (Fareler ve Insanlar), adapted from John Steinbeck’s novel: Nov. 15, BBS Stage, Kadikoy

  

  

  Dancers perform a scene from "Coppelia," a classical ballet about a mechanical doll, during a rehearsal by Ankara State Opera and Ballet in Ankara, Türkiye, Nov. 6, 2026. (AA Photo)

Opera, ballet and other music

The Istanbul State Opera and Ballet (IDOB) stages the ballet “Romeo and Juliet” (Romeo ve Juliet) on Nov. 11, 12 and 14. “Mesk-i Memnu: From Yesilcam to the Stage” (Mesk-i Memnu: Yesilcam’dan Sahneye) is performed on Nov. 11, and “The Guest” (Misafir) runs on Nov. 12-14.

Ehsan Band performs “Azerbaijani Pop Music and Dance” on Nov. 13 at the Baris Manco Cultural Center in Kadikoy. Pop singer Soner Arica takes the stage on Nov. 14 at Jolly Joker Kiyi Istanbul.

A visitor examines a sculpture at the "Mutluluk Garanti!" (Happiness Guaranteed!) exhibition, exploring happiness and consumer culture at Taksim Sanat in Istanbul, Türkiye, Nov. 4, 2026. (AA Photo)

Exhibitions

• “Hattizar” by Muhammet Mag: 48 works that reinterpret calligraphy through contemporary art approaches. On view through the end of November at UYA Art Gallery, Uskudar
• “Six Centuries of Memory in Kazlicesme” (Kazlicesme’nin Alti Asirlik Hafizasi): prepared by the Zeytinburnu Municipality. On view through Feb. 28, 2027, at Kazlicesme Sanat, Zeytinburnu
• “Tribute to Ibrahim Zaman” (Ibrahim Zaman’a Saygi): curated by Dr. Nevzat Yildirim. On view through Dec. 14 at the Türkiye Photography Foundation
• Works by Azerbaijani artist Aybeniz Zeynalova prepared for Gaza and “The Burden of Humanity: Decolonization Today” (Insanligin Yuku: Dekolonizasyonun Bugunu), organized by the NUN Education and Culture Foundation with the Istanbul Governorship: both at Rami Library, Eyupsultan
• “Little Hungary” (Kucuk Macaristan) by Ara Guler: on view through Feb. 12, 2027, at the Hungarian Cultural Center, Kagithane
• “Serif Muhiddin Targan Exhibition” (Serif Muhiddin Targan Sergisi): on view through Dec. 9 at Beyazit Manuscripts Library
• “Domestic Industry, International Reputation” (Yerli Sanayi, Uluslararasi Itibar): prepared for the 100th anniversary of the Koc Group. On view through Feb. 7, 2027, at the Rahmi M. Koc Museum, Golden Horn
• “There is no later. Later is here.” (Sonra yok. Sonrasi simdi.): an Arter group exhibition on the end of the world. On view through March 28, 2027, in Dolapdere, Beyoglu

November 09, 2026 05:34 PM GMT+03:00