Ankara, which has the wind of the Culture Road Festival for the fifth time between 19-27 September, welcomes its visitors with a total of 518 events in 42 different venues. This huge organization, spread all over the city, builds a global cultural bridge by bringing together not only local artists but also respected representatives of the international art community with the people of the capital.

One of the high points of the festival for classical music lovers is the concert of the world-famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Conductor Vasily Petrenko, with legendary pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja. Additionally, the National Arab Orchestra and Palestinian vocalist Nai Barghouti, under the direction of Music Director Michael Ibrahim, bring the most distinguished works of the Arab musical tradition to the CSO Ada Ankara stage.

The pulse of popular culture beats on the giant main stage set up in the Capital National Garden. While a wide range of artists, from Gökhan Türkmen to Ceza, from Ebru Yaşar to Sefo, meet with tens of thousands of music lovers, the "Children's Village" established in the area offers interactive art experiences to little visitors.

Four Different Faces of Art at CSO Ada Ankara

The exhibition marathon at CSO Ada Ankara, personally opened by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, blends the historical and modern identity of the city with different disciplines. In particular, the cultural heritage of Ankara, which has the title of 2026 Turkish World Tourism Capital, is being documented by transferring it to canvas and digital designs with "Ankara Is Being Pictured" and "Young Art: 7th Poster Design Competition".

One of the most striking industrial art projects of the festival bears the signature of ASELSAN. In the exhibition titled "A Transforming Future Vision", obsolete electronic and technological waste used in the country's defense industry; In the hands of international artists, it transforms into aesthetic sculptures such as horses, albatross and wolves, melting sustainability and art in one pot.

[EXTERNAL LINK SUGGESTION: For the official program of the festival, concert calendar and venue details, an external link (dofollow) should be given to the official portal of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism "Culture Path Festivals".]

Dialogue between Turkish Miniature and Korean Minhwa Art

The art festival in the capital combines international diplomacy on canvas. The "Meeting of Colors and Dialogue of Two Cultures" exhibition, which was opened with the participation of Minister Ersoy and the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Sukjong Boo, brings together the traditional arts of different geographies.

This visionary project brings together Korea's deep-rooted folk art Minhwa and the Turkish miniature tradition in the same hall; It presents the symbolism of colors, storytelling and composition philosophy to the audience comparatively. It is emphasized that the exhibition is a strategic art diplomacy step that deepens Turkey-Korea cultural relations.

A Game-changing Discovery in Gastronomy: Original Ankara Pan

One of the strongest pillars of the festival, appealing not only to the eye and ear but also to the palate, is the "Ankara at a Table" project. The event, which brings together gastronomy doyens under the leadership of MasterChef jury member Chef Mehmet Yalçınkaya, proves that Ankara cuisine is not just about döner kebab and simit, but is based on a deep restaurant culture.

The most striking detail that emerged in Chef Yalçınkaya's presentation was the authentic recipe of the famous "Ankara Pan". It was confirmed by historical sources and the archives of the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism that the dish, which has been known and consumed with barley noodles for years, was actually made with "rice" and dill, and took its place in the festival menu in its original form.

Dr., one of the managers of Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA). According to the data provided by Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu; More than 50 restaurants were registered as "Taste Points" within the scope of the festival. The 815-point flavor map created by TGA in 19 cities across Turkey directly contributes to the economy of the cities by transforming local cuisines into a global tourism movement.

[PHOTO SUGGESTION: A gastronomy table decorated with stylish and local details, where Chef Mehmet Yalçınkaya serves the original "Ankara Pan" with rice. Sub-Tag (Alt-Text): Mehmet Yalçınkaya Ankara Culture Road Festival, local dishes and original Ankara pan]

Living Heritage: Masters Produce in the Capital

With the mission of transferring cultural memory to future generations, 15 July Democracy Museum hosts the "Living Heritage Ankara Exhibition". Masters with the title of Bearer of Intangible Cultural Heritage; It organizes live performances and workshops in many fields, from marbling to illumination, from leather embroidery to needle lace.

Ankara's living human treasures, which have 67 elements and more than 1000 registered artists in the National Inventory, offer visitors the opportunity to experience thousands of years of Anatolia's handicraft production processes for 9 days.