Afife ballet returns to Istanbul stage after 28 years

The “Afife” ballet, which depicts the life of pioneering Turkish theater figure Afife Jale, is returning to the stage after 28 years with a new production. Prepared by the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet, the performance is scheduled to premiere on October 10, 2026, at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) Türk Telekom Opera Hall. Tickets for the premiere sold out several days in advance.

The production explores Jale’s struggle for freedom, her courage in performing during an era when Muslim Turkish women faced significant barriers to entering the theater, and her impact on subsequent generations of female artists. The narrative uses modern ballet to portray four distinct stages of her life through characters named “Golden Afife,” “Red Afife,” “Purple Afife,” and “Silver Afife.”

The work features music by Turgay Erdener, with libretto and choreography by Beyhan Murphy. Following the premiere, the production is expected to be staged four more times throughout October.