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In a bid to bolster cultural engagement and social cohesion across Türkiye’s eastern provinces, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced the launch of a major festival initiative titled “Bir Anadolu Senligi” (A Festival of Anatolia), set to take place in five cities throughout late August and September.
Speaking at a press conference held at Istanbul’s Ataturk Cultural Center, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy introduced the program following the announcement of Türkiye’s mid-year tourism figures. The new initiative is framed within the context of what the government terms the “Terorsuz Türkiye” (Terror-Free Türkiye) process—an effort to revitalise public life and development in areas historically affected by unrest.
Minister Ersoy underlined that this cultural strategy serves as a strong counter to both domestic and international forces that have sought to destabilise the region over the past four decades. “Now is the time to crush and erase the traces of terror with our unity,” he said. He added that Türkiye must usher in a new chapter for its eastern and southeastern provinces, focusing on social, cultural, and economic development.
The festival, coordinated by the Directorate General of Living Heritage and Cultural Events, will be launched in five provinces across Eastern and Southeastern Türkiye. The first leg will be held in Hakkari from August 22 to September 4, followed by Tunceli (September 5–11), Sirnak (September 12–18), Bingol (September 19–25), and Bitlis (September 22–28).
Minister Ersoy stated that each location was selected with realistic goals and long-term investment plans in mind. The events will feature performances by well-known artists and contributions from national institutions including the State Theatres, State Opera and Ballet, and General Directorates of Fine Arts, Cinema, Libraries, and Publications.
Highlighting the strategic approach behind the festivals, Ersoy emphasised that cultural heritage should not be viewed solely as a sub-sector of tourism but as a standalone national asset. “We never considered culture and arts merely as part of tourism,” he said. “They possess independent value and generate direct impact.”
He further explained that Türkiye’s eastern regions—rich with archaeological legacies, vibrant music traditions, culinary heritage, and natural wonders—deserve to be protected and promoted in a secure and sustainable manner. With both summer and winter potential, these areas offer untapped opportunities in cultural and eco-tourism.
The campaign also reflects Türkiye’s broader ambition to diversify its tourism offer and extend the season across all regions and months. Ersoy noted that this has been a central objective since his appointment and praised the significant progress made so far.
The Minister also underlined the role of global promotion in achieving these goals. “Together with our Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, we can confidently say that Türkiye is the most active and effective country in the world when it comes to international tourism promotion,” he said, assuring that the same visibility will be extended to the newly featured destinations in the east.
Minister Ersoy concluded his speech by addressing the global context of uncertainty, including political tensions, war, displacement, and climate-related challenges. Despite these hurdles, he expressed confidence in Türkiye’s determination and capacity to lead on the global stage.
“This is a service mission. We are not on this path to take the easy way out,” he said. “We set out to achieve the difficult, even the seemingly impossible. With God’s will, we will fulfil our responsibility in the best possible way and carry Türkiye to the leadership position it deserves.”
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