Mardin became the latest host of the Türkiye Culture Route Festival on October 17 as the southeastern city welcomed the nine-day program for the second time, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The 23rd stop in this year’s expanded series features 172 events at nine locations, ranging from concerts and theater performances to exhibitions and workshops. Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Gökhan Yazgı, Mardin Governor Tuncay Akkoyun and other officials attended the opening ceremony at the Sakıp Sabancı Mardin City Museum, where they emphasized the festival’s role in promoting cultural tourism. A ministry statement noted that the event transforms the city’s stone streets and historic sites into a vibrant stage for arts and gastronomy.
The festival’s music program centers on free concerts at the Artuklu Fairgrounds, where prominent Turkish artists will perform throughout the nine days, the organizers reported. Demet Akalın, Serkan Kaya, Ceza, Sefo, Poizi, Simge, Kıraç, Mert Demir and Fatma Turgut are scheduled to take the stage, drawing large crowds to the outdoor venue. These performances build on the festival’s tradition of blending popular entertainment with cultural discovery in host cities across Türkiye.
Gastronomy takes a prominent place in the Mardin edition, with more than 30 Flavor Stops showcasing the city’s traditional dishes, according to festival coordinators. Local specialties such as stuffed ribs, sembusek, ikbebet and various pastries will be highlighted alongside workshops led by Michelin-starred chefs including Fatih Tutak and Ömür Akkor, hosted by Gamze Cizreli. The culinary events aim to introduce visitors to Mesopotamian flavors that have evolved over centuries in the multicultural region.
Exhibitions, traditional arts workshops, children’s activities and panel discussions round out the program at historic venues throughout the city, a festival inventory shows. One notable display focuses on Ottoman sacred relics, while living heritage sessions allow participants to engage with local crafts and practices. These components reflect the broader goal of the Culture Route Festival to connect contemporary audiences with layered historical narratives preserved in places like Mardin.
The nationwide festival has grown substantially since its launch in Istanbul in 2021, expanding from a handful of cities to 26 across seven regions in 2026, a ministry review found. Last year the series included nearly 7,000 events involving 45,000 artists, building on 2024 figures that drew 33 million participants over more than 6,000 activities. Mardin first joined in 2025 when the program added four new cities, contributing to the initiative’s increasing reach and reputation as a cultural brand.
Mardin Governor Tuncay Akkoyun stated that the province attracted more than 3 million tourists in 2025, a 29 percent rise from the previous year, with foreign visitor numbers climbing 41 percent. He linked the gains to growing interest in the area’s heritage, which the current festival seeks to amplify through its multifaceted events. Officials expect the October program to further boost local businesses and reinforce the city’s position on cultural tourism routes.
