As the Turkish Cultural Road Festival continues its journey through 16 cities, its ninth destination brings a vibrant blend of art, history, and culture to the storied province of Çanakkale. From August 31 to September 8, this northwestern gem will transform into a dynamic stage where nearly 1,000 artists will converge for a nine-day celebration spanning concerts, exhibitions, workshops, and more.
The festival’s curtain rises at the Anadolu Hamidiye Tabyası Hangar with the evocative exhibition “Remembering-Telling Çanakkale 1915,” a poignant homage to the city’s enduring legacy. This initial tribute sets the tone for a festival that promises to weave the threads of Turkey’s cultural tapestry into a rich and varied program.
A constellation of musical talents, including Murat Boz, Derya Uluğ, Gazapizm, and Can Bonomo, will grace the Anadolu Hamidiye Tabyası Open Air Stage, offering a sonic landscape as diverse as the region’s heritage. Meanwhile, the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University İçdaş Kara Yusuf Congress Center will host the Presidential Classical Turkish Music Choir’s “Songs of the Century,” alongside performances by the Istanbul State Turkish Folk Music Choir and the State Folk Dances Ensemble, each paying homage to the deep roots of Turkey’s folk traditions.
The festival’s embrace of the arts extends beyond music. The “Beauties of Türkiye” photography exhibition at Çanakkale Kordon promises a visual feast, while a series of lectures and discussions led by luminaries such as Dr. Ümit Aktaş and Professor Filiz Yenişehirlioğlu will delve into subjects ranging from archaeology to psychology. These conversations, set against the backdrop of Çanakkale’s historic sites, underscore the festival’s commitment to intellectual as well as artistic engagement.
The third “Troas Symposium” at the Troy Museum Safvet Paşa Conference Hall, and the “Living Heritage Talk and Workshop” at the University’s Fine Arts Faculty, are but two of the scholarly highlights. For those seeking more whimsical pursuits, painter Pepijn Van Den Nieuwendijk and voice artist Züleyha Ortak will explore the playful and mythological, while comedian Gökhan Ünver brings levity with his stand-up performance.
In the spirit of honoring Çanakkale’s storied past, memorial dives at the Anatolian Hamidiye Bastion Diving Point offer a rare opportunity to engage with history beneath the waves, while the Troy Museum’s “Yoga in the Museum” and “Kekeça Mythological Stories: Troy Horse” events invite visitors to experience ancient myths through modern practices.
The festival’s gastronomic offerings are no less impressive, with eleven “Festival Taste Stops” scattered across the city, each offering a journey through the flavors that have defined the region for centuries. Here, visitors can indulge in a culinary narrative that connects past to present, one bite at a time.
Whether through the lens of a camera at the “Photomarathon,” the pedal of a bicycle during the 13th Çanakkale Bicycle Tour, or the immersive experience of the Children’s Village, this festival promises to be a celebration of Çanakkale’s unique blend of history, culture, and artistry. In a world constantly in flux, the Cultural Road Festival in Çanakkale offers a moment to pause, reflect, and revel in the enduring power of the arts.
