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The Türkiye Culture Route Festival opened in the eastern province of Van, bringing the nationwide culture and arts program to its 10th stop with a nine-day schedule of concerts, exhibitions, theater performances, talks, workshops, traditional arts, gastronomy events and activities for children.
The opening ceremony was held at Van Museum, where Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nadir Alpaslan said the festival was taking place in a region shaped by nearly 7,000 years of cultural heritage and the legacy of many civilizations.
Alpaslan said the Türkiye Culture Route Festivals, launched in 2021 in one city and one region, have grown into a cultural program held across all seven regions of Türkiye and 26 cities. He described the initiative as a global culture and arts brand that raises the profile of cities, brings cultural heritage into public view and makes culture and the arts accessible to wider audiences.
He also said the festivals support local economies by drawing visitors from outside the host cities, helping hotels, restaurants and local tradespeople benefit from the increased activity.
Pointing to Van's natural beauty, cultural depth, artistic life, growing tourism potential and distinctive gastronomy, Alpaslan said the city was one of Türkiye's most special destinations.
He emphasized that the Culture Route Festivals were not only a series of events, but part of a tourism vision shaped around culture and artistic experience. According to Alpaslan, travelers today no longer move only to see places, but also to feel and experience them.
Alpaslan said the 234-day festival marathon began in Sanliurfa on April 25 and will end in Adana on Nov. 15, strengthening what he described as the world's longest-running festival. He also recalled that the program became a member of the European Festivals Association in the 100th year of the Republic.
Speaking later to reporters, Alpaslan said the ministry aimed to bring people of all ages together with culture and arts events. Referring to the "terror-free Türkiye" process, he said peace and security had reached a high level across the country, allowing economic, cultural, tourism and artistic activities to move ahead in a safer environment.
He also said Türkiye had become a global brand in tourism and was making major progress in culture, arts and tourism as well as other fields.
Van Governor and Metropolitan Municipality Acting Mayor Ozan Balci said restoration and excavation works were continuing at many sites to revive the city's cultural assets. He added that culture and arts were becoming more visible in Van, while the festival would bring movement, dynamism, enthusiasm and energy to the city.
Balci said this atmosphere helped cultural tourism develop and made the festival meaningful for Van.
Selim Terzi, general director of the Türkiye Culture Route Festival and head of the ministry's General Directorate of Living Heritage and Cultural Events, said the program had been prepared with a full schedule. He said visitors would find events ranging from concerts and exhibitions to talks, workshops, traditional arts and gastronomy.
After the opening, officials and guests toured the "Sacred Relics of the Ottoman Empire" and "Living Heritage: Van" exhibitions at the museum and examined the completed miniature model of the Old City of Van.
The festival, being held in Van for the third time, will run from July 11 to 19.
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