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2 clusters · 5 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: CULTURE

Büyükçekmece International Arts Festival 2026

Entities: Büyükçekmece Atatürk Cultural Center · Karagöz · Cengiz Özek · Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality · Büyükçekmece Municipality

Overview

The 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Cultural and Arts Festival began with an international handcraft exhibition featuring artisans from Turkey, Uzbekistan, Russia, Ukraine, Pakistan, Belarus and Uganda, and a high‑profile percussion performance by Burhan Öçal on 24 July. Festival officials highlighted the role of crafts and music in preserving heritage and fostering intercultural dialogue.

Two days later, on 26 July, the festival added a Karagöz puppet exhibition at the Büyükçekmece Atatürk Cultural Center. Curated by Cengiz Özek of the Istanbul Karagöz Puppet Foundation, the show displayed illuminated transparent puppets and explored traditional Turkish shadow‑play characters, remaining open to the public until 2 August. Together, the events illustrate the festival’s expanding programme of visual and performing arts throughout late July 2026.

Timeline

  1. 5 days ago

    [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Karagöz Art Exhibition Opens in Büyükçekmece, Istanbul

    A joint Istanbul and Büyükçekmece municipality exhibition, curated by Cengiz Özek, showcases illuminated Karagöz puppets and runs until 2 August.

  2. 7 days ago

    [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Büyükçekmece Festival Highlights International Handcrafts and Percussion Performances

    The 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Festival opened with a global handcraft exhibition and featured a percussion concert by Burhan Öçal, highlighting the district’s cultural programming.

Sources

aksiyon.com.tr · ayancikgazetesi.com · gazetedamga.com.tr · gzt.com · haber1.com