Cultural and cinematic heritage programs in Istanbul

Cultural institutions in Istanbul are hosting programs dedicated to heritage and performance. Istanbul Modern Cinema, in collaboration with the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Prof. Sami Şekeroğlu Cinema-TV Center, is holding the ‘Yeniden Perdede’ (Back on Screen) program to celebrate World Audiovisual Heritage Day.

Running from October 22 to 27, the cinema program showcases restored Turkish films from the last 15 years, including works such as Muhsin Ertuğrul’s 1935 film ‘Aysel, Bataklı Damın Kızı’ and Metin Erksan’s ‘Karanlık Dünya’. Curator Müge Turan noted that restoration serves to carry memory into the present, emphasizing that preservation is achieved when films are re-watched and discussed.

Parallel to these cinematic efforts, the İKSV Istanbul Theatre Festival is presenting productions focused on themes of memory, identity, and language, including works such as ‘Lacrima’, ‘Ve Ateş Bizi Tüketiyor’, ‘Dil Broblem Değil’, and ‘Veda Ritüeli’ much of which addresses linguistic transformation and sign language.