Turkish municipalities launch summer open‑air cinema series

Mersin and Konya municipalities have begun a summer open‑air cinema program to bring film and culture to residents in public parks. In Mersin, the first showing at Kültür Park featured the historical drama “Bir Cumhuriyet Şarkısı,” drawing families who watched the film beneath palm trees along the Mediterranean coast. Municipal cinema officer Başar Akça said the goal is to turn Mersin into a regional film hub, attract producers and support local creators through festivals, workshops and screenings.

In Konya, the “Sinema Akşamları” series is being held at Kalehan Ecdat Garden, with a schedule of weekly Friday and Saturday screenings running through early September. Organized by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality, the events aim to revive the nostalgic atmosphere of open‑air cinema and provide a family‑friendly cultural option during summer evenings.

Both cities report strong public interest, with citizens praising the experience as a pleasant alternative to staying at home. The initiatives are part of broader municipal efforts to enrich urban life with accessible arts programming.