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The Türkiye Culture Route Festival opened in Bursa, a city renowned as a historical and cultural heartland, inviting art enthusiasts on a rich journey through creativity and tradition.
Hosted by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the event commenced at the Merinos Ataturk Congress and Culture Center, drawing key figures including Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gokhan Yazgi, Bursa Governor Erol Ayyildiz, and the festival’s General Director Selim Terzi.
Deputy Minister Gokhan Yazgi highlighted how the festival weaves Bursa’s historical legacy with vibrant artistic expression, enriching the city’s cultural identity. He described the festival as “a bridge that unites local values with universal art,” emphasizing that sustaining culture and art transforms cities into global brands.
Yazgi also noted that culture-led events play a crucial role in Türkiye’s rising stature within global tourism, attracting high-value visitors and enhancing international visibility.
In an exclusive interview with turkiyegazetesi.com.tr, Deputy Minister Yazgi detailed how local communities actively shape the festival.
“Engaging the local population in the festival process is one of our main priorities,” he said, explaining that the soul of the festival emerges when a host city reflects its own cultural heritage and vitality.
Local artists contribute through workshops, exhibitions, concerts, and performances, with festival programming developed in close contact with regional art groups. Beyond artists, Yazgi pointed out that local tradespeople and small businesses are integrated along festival routes—from street events to local gastronomy points—creating cultural and economic vibrancy.
Municipalities, universities, chambers of commerce, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are also involved from planning to execution, making the festival a co-produced cultural movement rather than just a calendar of events.
Since its inception with around 80 venues, the festival has grown impressively, now approaching 1,000 venues and hosting thousands of events and tens of thousands of artists by 2024. Welcoming art lovers of all ages, the Türkiye Culture Route Festival has become a member of the European Festivals Association and is recognized as one of the world’s leading festivals.
Yazgi attributed this success to the integrated vision combining culture, art, and tourism.
Festival attendees explored featured exhibitions showcasing a diverse artistic spectrum. The “Pablo Picasso: Creation is Everything” exhibition presents 50 original works by the legendary artist, including engravings, drawings, and photographs, offering Bursa’s public a rare chance to connect with the maestro’s creativity.
Digital art also commands attention with exhibitions like “Journey to the Roots: Digital Art Exhibition” and “From Sketch to Pixel,” delivering a layered, contemporary experience alongside traditional forms.
Running from June 28 to July 6, the festival will bring approximately 600 events across 71 venues in Bursa.
From music and theater to visual arts and workshops, the festival fills the city’s streets with creative energy, promising unforgettable experiences for visitors and residents alike.
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