# Turkish municipal theatre season openings

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-municipal-theatre-season-openings
> Updated: 2026-10-16T12:08:49.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 3.

Municipal city theatres in Turkey are launching new artistic seasons. In Mersin, the Metropolitan Municipality City Theatre announced its 26th season, themed ‘İnsanla başlar’ (It starts with human), which includes the play ‘Keşanlı Ali Destanı’ and upcoming premieres such as ‘Ödenmeyecek Ödemiyoruz’. The season also features educational outreach and touring projects.

In Bursa, the Metropolitan Municipality City Theatre is marking its 20th anniversary. The celebrations include an exhibition of historical costumes and stage decorations at the Ressam Şefik Bursalı Art Gallery, alongside the premiere of ‘Sersem Kocanın Kurnaz Karısı’. This production, which explores Western-style theatre during the Ottoman Tanzimat period, was the institution’s inaugural play two decades ago.

Expanding these celebrations, the Manisa Metropolitan Municipality City Theatre is launching its 2026-2027 season under the theme ‘Duruş’ to mark its own 20th anniversary. The season officially opened on October 16 with the play ‘G. D. K. (Genetiği Değiştirilmiş Kadınlar Projesi)’, written by Ali Erkan Ersezer. Under the direction of General Art Director Kubilay Penbeklioğlu, the repertoire will include local works, world classics, and children's plays. Mayor Besim Dutlulu noted that the city has become a place that lives through theatre, citing the troupe's participation in national and international festivals. Additionally, the third annual Theatre Festival will be held as part of the International Manisa Mesir Macunu Festival.

## Claims

- Manisa City Theatre is launching its 2026-2027 season with the theme ‘Duruş’. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The new season begins on October 16. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The opening play is ‘G. D. K. (Genetiği Değiştirilmiş Kadınlar Projesi)’ written by Ali Erkan Ersezer. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Kubilay Penbeklioğlu is the General Art Director. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The third annual Theatre Festival will be held within the International Manisa Mesir Macunu Festival. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-16: Manisa City Theatre opens 20th season with 'Duruş' theme

Manisa Metropolitan Municipality City Theatre celebrated its 20th anniversary by opening the 2026-2027 season with the play ‘G. D. K.’ under the theme ‘Duruş’.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manisa-city-theatre-launches-20th-season-with-duru-theme

### 2026-10-02: Bursa City Theatre celebrates 20th anniversary with exhibition and play premiere

Bursa Metropolitan Municipality City Theatre is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a commemorative exhibition and the premiere of Haldun Taner’s ‘Sersem Kocanın Kurnaz Karısı’ to open the new season.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bursa-city-theatre-celebrates-20th-anniversary-with-exhibition-and-play-premiere

### 2026-09-29: Mersin City Theatre to open 26th season with Keşanlı Ali Destanı

Mersin Metropolitan Municipality City Theatre will open its 26th season on October 3, 2026, with ‘Keşanlı Ali Destanı’, featuring the theme ‘İnsanla başlar’.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mersin-city-theatre-to-open-26th-season-with-keanl-ali-destan

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Cite as: Turkish municipal theatre season openings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-municipal-theatre-season-openings