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Nevsehir, the heart of the otherworldly Cappadocia region in central Türkiye, has transformed into an open-air stage as the city launches its nine-day Culture Route Festival.
Part of the nationwide Türkiye Culture Route Festival series, the Nevsehir edition blends history, art, and contemporary creativity in one of the country’s most mesmerizing landscapes.
The festival opened with a ceremony at Cappadocia University’s Urgup campus, attended by Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gokhan Yazgi, local officials, and international guests, including China’s Ambassador to Ankara Jiang Xuebin.
Yazgi highlighted that Cappadocia is not only famed for its fairy chimneys and dawn balloon rides—where hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons float over volcanic valleys—but also for its emerging culinary reputation.
He noted with pride that the region’s inclusion in the Michelin Guide now positions Cappadocia as a world-class gastronomy destination.
“Our region is no longer just a wonder of history and nature; it will now be remembered as a distinguished culinary destination,” he said.
Yazgi also pointed to Türkiye’s remarkable tourism performance. Strategic investments and diversified market approaches have pushed the country to historic highs in both visitor numbers and revenue.
Türkiye welcomed 56.7 million foreign visitors in 2024, ranking fourth globally. In the first half of 2025 alone, the country recorded more than 26 million visitors and $25.8 billion in tourism income, marking its best half-year performance to date. Authorities are steadily advancing toward a year-end revenue target of $64 billion.
Beyond tourism, Yazgi underlined that the Culture Route Festivals aim to promote social engagement and preserve cultural diversity.
Initiatives such as the Living Heritage Festivals and An Anatolian Celebration are designed to bring art and heritage to the forefront nationwide, fostering community ties while celebrating the country’s rich traditions.
After the opening, the delegation toured a range of exhibitions at Cappadocia University. Highlights included “From Sketch to Pixel: Digital Art Exhibition,” “Tell Me About Me: 21st-Century Miniature Art,” and “Living Heritage: Traditional Doll Exhibition,” which reflect Türkiye’s evolving cultural narrative.
The program also featured a special exhibition hosted by the Chinese Embassy and a visit to the historic Virgin Mary Church, where attendees explored the “Heritage of Civilizations AI Digital Exhibition” and the “Matraki Exhibition.”
The day concluded at the atmospheric Guray Museum with the opening of “Pablo Picasso: Creation is Everything,” an exhibition showcasing works that reveal the modern art icon’s creative journey. Visitors can immerse themselves in Picasso’s world as part of the festival experience.
Running through Aug. 10, the Nevsehir Culture Route Festival offers over 400 events, including concerts, exhibitions, talks, and children’s programs.
For travelers and art lovers, the festival provides a rare opportunity to experience culture and creativity against the surreal backdrop of Cappadocia’s volcanic landscape.
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