In collaboration with public and private institutions as well as with non-governmental organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contributes to numerous activities for the promotion of Türkiye abroad on a wider scale.

Europalia Arts Festival Türkiye

Türkiye participated in Europalia Arts Festival as a “Guest Country” in 2015. The festival has been held every two years since 1969 under the high patronage of the King of Belgium.

The festival was organized between October 6, 2015 and January 31, 2016. Preparations related to the participation in “Europalia Türkiye” were carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Mr. Hasan Bülent Kahraman was Curator and Mr. Erman Ilıcak was Commissioner General for the Turkish Party.

Inauguration of the Festival took place with participation of the President of Türkiye and the King of Belgium on October 6, 2015.

“Anatolia: Home of Eternity”, major exhibition of the Festival, was inaugurated on 6th October 2015 at Center for Fine Arts (BOZAR). It encompassed objects from various museums in Türkiye.

Being the second major exhibition of the Festival and inaugurated on 14th October 2015 at BOZAR, “Imagine İstanbul” included photographs by the Turkish and French artists, in particular by Ara Güler, Türkiye’s well-known photographer.

The third major exhibition was “Port City Talk/İstanbul-Antwerp” which was inaugurated on 22nd October 2015 at MAS Museum in Antwerp. It put a spotlight on the transformation of both port cities since 16th century as well as it encompassed works of young artists.

The program of the Festival was drawn up by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in cooperation with Europalia Secretariat. The program included various activities on music, installation, sculpture, photography, literature, cinema, theatre, architecture, performing arts, shadow theatre, digital art, gastronomy which reflect the historical heritage, cultural richness and productivity on contemporary arts of Türkiye.

2015 Reciprocal Year of Culture between Türkiye and Australia

During the official visit of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard to Türkiye in 2012, a Joint Declaration was announced, in commemoration of the Centennial of Çanakkale Land Battles, declaring that 2015 will be proclaimed as the Year of Türkiye in Australia and the Year of Australia in Türkiye and celebrated as “Mutual Year of Culture”.

Year of Turkish Culture in Australia was launched with a concert at “Capitol Theatre” in Sydney, titled “Türkiye in Music/Home of Gallipoli 2015”. Australian side held a reception at Cermodern in Ankara to mark the start of the Year of Australian Culture in Türkiye.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism dealt with the issuance of “Postcards in Memoriam” and stamps to use exclusively during the activities regarding the centennial anniversary of the Çanakkale Land Battles.

Under the Mutual Year of Culture celebrations, various activities were performed which reflected the relations between the two countries and their cultures, such as; performance of Konya Sufism Music Band, exhibition by Turkish artist Hikmet Çetinkaya, titled “Poppies”,, “Turkish Composers Night” in Australia.

2015 Reciprocal Year of Culture between Türkiye and Qatar

During the visit of the President of the Republic of Türkiye to Qatar in 2014, the year of 2015 was announced as “Year of Culture” reciprocally in both countries.

The Year of Turkish Culture in Qatar was launched by Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism together with his Qatari counterpart on 5 March 2015 at “Katara Opera House” in Doha with the opening gala featuring Turkish singers, dancers, artists.

The President of Türkiye, together with the Minister of Culture, Arts, Heritage of Qatar, has inaugurated the 26th International Doha Book Fair where Türkiye was hosted as “Guest of Honour” on the occasion of the Year of Culture.

Under the Year of Culture celebrations, various activities were performed which reflected the relations between the two countries and their cultures, such as; “Turkish Festival”, The Hunt: Princely Pursuits in Islamic Lands” Exhibition, Taksim Trio concert, Food Festival, literature programs, photography exhibition, communion during Ramadan month, presentations on archeological and cultural sites in Türkiye, football match between Turkish and Qatari national teams, workshop on Karagöz shadow theatre, puppet show.

600th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Türkiye and Poland

The year 2014 has been celebrated as the 600th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Poland in both countries. With this aim, a Letter of Intent has been signed by the Foreign Ministers of both sides, during the visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister to Poland on 21 March 2013.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, other Ministries and relevant institutions, comprehensive and multi-dimensional activities which reflected the historical relations existing between Türkiye and Poland and also promoted the culture of two countries have been realized.

Year of Chinese Culture in Türkiye-Year of Turkish Culture in China

With a view to enhancing friendly relations, promoting cultural Exchange, further improving mutual understanding between Türkiye and China, the year 2012 has been proclaimed as "Year of Chinese Culture in Türkiye” and the year 2013 has been proclaimed as "Year of Turkish Culture in China” with a “Memorandum of Understanding” which was signed by Ertuğrul Günay, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye and Cai Wu, Minister of Culture of the People’s Republic of China on 16 June 2010 .

In the context of this Memorandum of Understanding, cultural activities and joint cultural projects in different areas including fine arts, fashion, design and architecture were carried out in two countries.

“The Year of Chinese Culture in Türkiye” was publicly announced at the joint press conference, which was held in Topkapı Palace, İstanbul on 3 December 2011 and was officially launched in CER Modern Art Museum in Ankara through an art exhibition entitled “Silk Road through the Brush of Famous Chinese Artists” with the participation of Deputy Minister of Culture of China on 12 December 2011.

Within the framework of the celebrations of “Year of Chinese Culture in Türkiye” ending with a gala concert entitled “Tunes from the Silk Road” in Ankara, Turkish people had the opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture with the cultural activities realized in different cities including İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa, Antalya, Mersin, Trabzon.

Coordinated by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a comprehensive and substantial program of artistic and cultural activities have been undertaken to provide an impetus to the bilateral relations within the scope of the “Year of Turkish Culture in China”.

“Year of Turkish Culture in China" was publicly announced through a press conference held at the Chinese Ministry of Culture on 12 March 2013.

"The Year of Turkish Culture in China” was launched with the show performed by artists of Turkish State Opera and Ballet at Poly Theatre in Beijing, on 21 March 2013 with the participation of Ömer Çelik, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye and Cai Wu, Minister of Culture of China.

In commemoration of 2012-2013 reciprocal cultural years, Turkish and Chinese Post Offices jointly issued a special commemorative stamp figuring pictures of the Istanbul Bosphorus Bridge and the Taizhou Yangtze River Highway Bridge.

Withing the framework of the "Year of Turkish Culture in China”, numerous exhibitions promoting Turkish culture as well as shows and concerts reflecting different assets of Türkiye were performed in different Chinese provinces throughout the year of 2013.

“Year of Turkish Culture in China” has ended with the show entitled “The Invitation of Mewlana” between 15-21 December 2013.

400th Anniversary Celebrations of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between Türkiye and Netherlands

By virtue of the Declaration of Intent, signed by Ministers of Foreign Affairs of two countries on 2 February 2011, it was decided to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and the Netherlands between March-November 2012

With a view to establishing long-lasting and sustainable cultural-artistic, commercial-economic, scientific-academic relations, the 400th Anniversary Activities paved the way for an excellent opportunity to reciprocally promote both countries’ rich cultures and contributed to better understanding and cooperation among Turkish and Dutch people.

In this context, a vast amount of activities in various fields were organized in both countries throughout the year 2012.

The celebration of the 400th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations was publicly announced through the joint press conference, which was held on the occasion of the 5th meeting of Türkiye-Netherlands (Wittenburg) Conference during the visit of Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye on 6 March 2012.

Abdullah Gül, President of the Republic of Türkiye and Queen Beatrix officially launched the celebrations programme during the former’s visit to the Netherlands between 17-19 April 2012. As part of the visit programme, Turkish President and the Dutch Queen inaugurated the successive exhibitions of Levanten Trade Chamber, Central Bank Art Collection, Turkish Garden in Venlo Floriade.

Turkish Season in France

The year 2009 was proclaimed as “Turkish Season in France” with a Letter of Intent signed by Türkiye and France. Some 600 cultural, social, political, economic, scientific activities were organized within the context of “Turkish Season in France (Saison de la Turquie en France)” which was carried out between July 1st, 2009 and March 31st, 2010.

The Season constituted the largest, the most comprehensive, the longest serial of events and the promotion campaign realized abroad within the framework of general promotion activities in EU countries.

The Season has been officially launched in Paris by Ertuğrul Günay, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye, and Frédéric Mitterand, the Minister of Culture and Communication of France, on June 30th, 2009. The official visit of Abdullah Gül, the President of Türkiye, to France between October 6th and 9th, 2009 was the culminating point of the Season. Presidents of Türkiye and France have inaugurated the exhibition called “From Byzantium to İstanbul: Harbour of Two Continents” in Grand Palais. La Tour Eiffel was illuminated with the colours of the Turkish flag between October 6th and 11th, 2009.

Furthermore, an open-air activity titled “Café Turc” was held in the garden of Louvre Museum (Jardin des Tuileries) in the summer of 2009 during which Turkish coffee and dishes were served. In addition to the historical artifacts exhibition with the theme of “From Byzantium to İstanbul: Harbour of Two Continents” held in Grand Palais, other historical artifacts exhibitions themed “Ottoman Textiles and Kaftans”, “Ancient İzmir and Ionia”, “Hittites” were also held in October 2009. The said exhibitions were visited by approximately 1.500.000 people.

The Season has been brought to an end with the show entitled Müsennâ which was staged in Royal Opera of Versailles. The closing ceremony was held with the participation of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Prime Minister of Türkiye and Gerard Larcher, the Senate President of France.

With a wide range of activities in various fields such as contemporary and classical music, performing arts, literature, contemporary arts, cinema, theatre, dance, gastronomy, sports, education, design, fashion in all over the country as well as in Paris, Marseilles, Lyon, Strasbourg, Bordeaux within the scope of “Turkish Season in France”, it has been targeted to introduce cultural characteristics, dynamism, creativity of Türkiye to the French society.

“Turkish Season in France” was organized with the close collaboration of İstanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV). The Chairman of the Organizational Committee in Türkiye for “Turkish Season in France”, has been Ambassador (Retired) Mr. Necati Utkan, whereas the duties of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner in Türkiye have been assumed by Mr. Görgün Taner and Nazan Ölçer respectively.

Year of Russian Culture in Türkiye-Year of Turkish Culture in Russia

Aming to replicate the positive developments accomplished in the field of tourism between Türkiye and the Russian Federation during the recent years into the field of culture, the year 2007 has been proclaimed as "Year of Russian Culture" in Türkiye whereas the year 2008 has been proclaimed as "Year of Turkish Culture" in Russia.

With the participation of some 250 artists from Russia, dance and ballet acts as well as plays and concerts were organized in Türkiye during the "2007-Year of Russian Culture". A photograph exhibition themed "Moments Lived in Russia" was inaugurated in Ankara, Antalya, İzmir, Balıkesir, İstanbul. Russian side particiapated "23 April-International Children's Day Festival", "International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival", "Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival".

Some cultural activities have been carried out in Russia during "2008-Year of Turkish Culture" as well and all these activities have provided an impetus to the cooperation between Türkiye and Russia in the field of culture.

"2008 -Year of Turkish Culture" has been inaugurated with a concert in Moscow International House of Music on April 8th, 2008. Taking into consideration the unifying effect of Poet Nazım Hikmet over the cultures of both countries, Nazım Hikmet Oratorio, composed by Fazıl Say, was performed by the Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Türkiye which was accompanied by the Ankara State Polyphonic Choir during the event. Zuhal Olcay and Genco Erkal have read the poems of Nazım Hikmet as soloists during the Oratorio as well.

Among various other activities carried out within the context of "2008-Year of Turkish Culture" were ballet, folkloric dance, sema shows, concerts, theatre, mixed paintings exhibition, miniature, hat (calligraphy), tile (Turkish ceramics) decoration arts shows and exhibitions, mixed exhibition on kaftans, gems craftsmanship, ceramics and carpets, a Russian-Turkish books exhibition, fashion week and street festivals-all of which promoted Türkiye in 5 different cities of Russia.

Janissary Band (Mehteran) of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism delivered live performances with Red Army Orchestra and Serkan Çağrı Group in the Kremlin Palace in Moscow as well as in Kazan and Krasnodar.

Activities of "2008-Year of Turkish Culture" in Russia have been concluded with a concert by jazz pianist Kerem Görsev with Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra on December 21 2008.

Year of Türkiye in Japan-Year of Japan in Türkiye

With a view to further advancing the historically deep-rooted relations between Japan and Türkiye and to contributing to the promotion of Türkiye, the year 2003 has been proclaimed as "Year of Türkiye in Japan" with a joint decision of Turkish and Japanese Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

Coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade, many private institutions and organizations have participated in the "2003 Year of Türkiye in Japan" which included activities in intensely populated cities in Japan.

Special attention has been paid to choose the cultural assets that would attract the Japanese people the most while planning the activities.

Between February 17 2003 and May 31 2004, Türkiye was promoted to the Japanese people by over 100 cultural, artistic, economic, touristic activities held in various cities of Japan.

Numerous historical-cultural exhibitions as well as shows and concerts promoting different assets of our country were held in 2004. "Three Great Empires in Türkiye: Exhibition on Hittites, Byzantium, Ottoman", Exhibition on Sadberk Hanım Museum Collection, Belkıs Balpınar Rugs and Carpets Exhibition, Folkloric Show titled "Dances of Colours", Tekfen Philharmonic Orchestra Concerts, Fazıl Say Concerts, Greased Wrestling Shows, Kezban Arca Batıbeki Paintings Exhibition, Gönül Paksoy Exhibition, "Made in Türkiye Fashion Show", İstanbul Saz Players Concerts were among the activities realized within the context of "Year of Türkiye in Japan".

Year 2010, which marks the 120th anniversary of Turkish-Japanese friendship starting with the visit of "Ertuğrul" Frigate to Japan and the subsequent disastrous sinking, has been decided to be commemorated as the "Japanese Year in Türkiye" with the motto "Türkiye and Japan, even closer now".

The activities carried out in this context, which also added colour to the realisation of "Istanbul 2010-European Capital of Culture", were not only limited with the events in Istanbul. Various examples of Japanese culture and art were exhibited all year long in different cities of Türkiye; İzmir, Mersin, Ankara, Safranbolu, Kaman. Activities such as week of Japanese films, kimono fashion show, traditional Japanese drums show were performed as well.

"Japanese Year in Türkiye 2010", which was launched with a preliminary ceremony in Ankara on January 4 2010 in the Cultural Center of "Turkish-Japanese Foundation", contributed to universal peace through further enhancing existing mutual relations of friendship and cooperation that have already been transferred to the 21st century between Türkiye and Japan.

In the context of "Japanese Year in Türkiye 2010", with the participation of Abdullah Gül, President of Türkiye and Prince Tomohito of Mikasa of Japan, the "Celebration Ceremony of Japanese-Turkish Friendship" was held in İstanbul on May 3 2010.

"Kaman Kalehöyük Archaeological Museum", established with the cooperation of Japan and Türkiye, was inaugurated in July.

"Japanese Year in Türkiye 2010" activities aimed at introducing the beauties of Japan to Turkish people, deepening the friendship and interaction, moving our cooperation to the future.

"Japanese Year in Türkiye 2010" ended with the closing ceremony held in İstanbul Haliç Culture and Congress Center on 25 November 2010.

CULTURAL YEARS/ANNIVERSARIES OF ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

2018 Türkiye-Thailand Cultural Year

On the occasion of 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Thailand, 2018 was designated as mutual Cultural Year and cultural events were organized throughout the year.

Upon the invitation of Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye, Culture Minister of Thailand Vira Rojpojchanarat paid an official visit to Türkiye between 27-29 September 2018. During the visit, the Declaration of Intent has been signed on 27 September 2018 at Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Following the signing ceremony, joint photography exhibition was opened and with the participation of Ministers of Culture of Türkiye and Thailand, the grand inauguration ceremony, for the cultural events that Thailand has organized in Türkiye (Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir) was held.

In the context of the Cultural Year, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye organized various concerts, performances, events including “Türkiye’s Colours” concert, Piri Reis Ballet, activities for children.

2019 Türkiye-Russia Mutual Cultural and Tourism Year

During President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Moscow on the occasion of 6th meeting of the Türkiye-Russia High Level Cooperation Council in 2017, the parties decided to announce 2019 as “Türkiye-Russia Mutual Culture and Tourism Year” and a Declaration of Intent was signed to that effect.

The “Culture and Tourism Year” was inaugurated by the Culture Ministers of Türkiye and Russia on 9 April 2019 with the Troy Opera staged at the Bolshoi Theatre.

Concerts, photography, painting and craft exhibitions, theatre plays, film days, activities for children, gastronomy events, conferences, opera, ballet and music festivals are among the joint cultural events organized within the framework of the mutual “Culture and Tourism Year”.

2019 Turkish Year in Japan

2019 was celebrated as “Turkish Year” in Japan. With the cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Embassy of Türkiye in Tokyo, a variety of events has been organized.

“The Treasures and the Tradition of 'Lâle' in the Ottoman Empire” exhibition marked the official inauguration of the “Turkish Year” which was launched on 19 March 2019 with the participation of Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye and the Princess Akiko of Mikasa.

The exhibition, composed of nearly 180 items including Japanese vases and armours from the collections of Topkapı, Dolmabahçe, Yıldız Palaces, was displayed at the National Art Center Tokyo (NACT) between 20 March-20 May 2019 and in Kyoto National Modern Art Museum between 14 June-28 July 2019.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye, visited the exhibition the during his visit to Japan on the occasion of the G-20 Summit.

Turkish Music Concert was conducted on 13-14 May 2019, Mevlevi Sema ceremony was held in Tokyo and Kyoto on 23-25 May 2019, concerts were performed by Tarkan between 11-14 May 2019.

On 3 September 2019, Piri Reis Ballet was staged, various events has been realized on 7 September 2019 within the context of Türkiye Festival that took place in Yoyogi Park in Tokyo.