Çanakkale Culture Route Festival Kicks Off with History, Art, and Gastronomy
As part of the nine-day festival in Çanakkale, concerts, exhibitions, theater performances, ancient city tours accompanied by expert archaeologists, and gastronomy events introducing the city's rich culinary culture will be held.
Çanakkale, the 16th stop of the Turkey Culture Route Festival, is preparing to host a comprehensive program ranging from concerts to archaeological tours, gastronomy events, and exhibitions between August 29 and September 6, 2026. Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that the city's deep-rooted history, extending from Troy to the Republic, will be conveyed to broad audiences through these events.
Historical Heritage and Cultural Events
Çanakkale's thousands of years of history, stretching from ancient times to the Ottoman Empire and the years of the War of Independence, will be explored through various events held throughout the festival. Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that restored castles, bastions, ancient cities, and museums will be brought together with visitors through culture and art.
52 Flavor Points and Gastronomy Program
In the gastronomy leg of the festival, Çanakkale's rich flavors ranging from seafood to Aegean cuisine will be promoted through "52 Flavor Points". Alongside geographically indicated products such as Ezine cheese, Bayramiç white peach, and Yenice red pepper, dishes prepared with Bozcaada's grape culture and Gökçeada's kid meat and island herbs will be highlighted.
The gastronomy program will be hosted by Michelin-starred chefs Maksut Aşkar and Emre Şen, along with chef Celal Gürkan. Additionally, gastronomy writer Müge Akgün, food culture historian Prof. Özge Samancı, and content creator Oğuz Yenihayat will participate as guests to discuss the city's culinary culture.
Concerts and Stage Performances
The Anatolian Hamidiye Bastion Open-Air Stage will host concerts by famous names such as Ceza, Kıraç, Bengü, Oğuzhan Koç, Özcan Deniz, Simge, Sefo, Gökhan Türkmen, and Bayhan for nine days. On August 30 Victory Day, the Çanakkale Strait Command Band will perform a special show.
Meanwhile, at the ÇOMÜ İÇDAŞ Kara Yusuf Congress Center, the South Korean music group HoonDoo will take the stage with a special repertory consisting of Turkish songs. The theater play titled "Tamamen Doluyuz" (We Are Completely Full) will also meet audiences at the same center.
Exhibitions and Special Events for Children
For art lovers, the “Living Heritage: Çanakkale Exhibition” and short film screenings will be held at the Anatolian Hamidiye Bastion Hangar, while the “Sacred Relics of the Ottomans” exhibition will be displayed at the Troy Museum. For children, Children's Village activities will be set up at the Anatolian Hamidiye Bastion, and free film screenings and workshops will be held within the scope of the 22nd Türsak Children's Film Festival.
Ancient City Tours Accompanied by Archaeologists
With the "Tour Accompanied by Experts" program to be organized within the scope of the festival, five different historical areas, including the ancient sites of Assos and Apollon Smintheion, will be visited with archaeologists. For photography enthusiasts, FotoMaraton Çanakkale and FotoMaraton Çocuk events covering the historical streets of the city and the Aegean coasts will be organized.