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The 10th Canakkale Biennial opened Saturday at the Troy Museum, bringing contemporary art from Türkiye and eight other countries to a northwestern Turkish city better known for its ancient and wartime history.
Titled "Ebb & Flow," the six-week event runs through Nov. 20 and draws on the constant exchange between sea and land.
More than 60 artists from Türkiye, the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, Britain, China, Romania, France and Belgium are showing work on water, soil, memory, time and ecology.
Canakkale, on the Dardanelles strait, sits near the ruins of Troy.
The biennial spreads across 15 venues, from the city center to villages and historic sites, in an effort to move contemporary art out of conventional galleries. Besides exhibitions, the program includes performances, talks, panels and workshops.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gov. Omer Toraman said the city is well suited to hosting cultural events and has an engaged audience.
"I was very happy to meet artists who have their studios in Canakkale,” Toraman said. “I believe this biennial has added value to the city and will continue to do so."
Mayor Muharrem Erkek said the theme carries particular meaning for the city, emphasizing the need to protect its nature, ecosystem and future.
"If art is produced freely in a city, that city is on a good path," Erkek said. "It means it is free."
Seyhan Boztepe, the biennial’s founding director, said the idea took shape 20 years ago. She said the 10th edition shows the event "has proven itself" and built a strong institutional base.
"We now see that Canakkale has positioned itself as one of the world’s contemporary art destinations," said Boztepe, an associate professor.
She added that she hopes young people will carry the city’s cultural journey forward.
Venues include the Troy Museum and MAHAL, a local art space, as well as the village of Tartisik in Ayvacik, the Adatepe Olive Oil Museum, Adatepe Ida Blue, the Assos Gunesane Foundation and the Balikhane building.
The Canakkale Biennial Initiative, known as CABININ, organizes the event. Dardanel, a food company, and the Kale Group’s Kale Design and Art Center are the main sponsors.
The provincial culture and tourism directorate, the municipality and Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University are collaborating partners. Local stakeholders include the Troy excavation team, the Canakkale History and Culture Foundation and the Troia Foundation, and the 1915 Canakkale Bridge and Motorway provides corporate support.
Officials from the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the university, sponsors and partner organizations attended, along with participating artists and biennial board members.
Guests toured the Troy Museum exhibitions after the ceremony.
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