Interview with Istanbul Fringe Festival Cultural Policies Director Zeynep Uğur
An interview with Dr. Zeynep Uğur, director of the eighth Istanbul Fringe Festival, focusing on the current economic challenges facing independent art.
Dr. Zeynep Uğur, Cultural Policies Director of the Istanbul Fringe Festival—whose eighth edition will take place from September 19 to 26—stated that independent art is waging a major battle for survival due to the economic crisis and high expenses.
This Year's Festival Theme
The eighth edition of the Istanbul Fringe Festival, established in 2019 to bring the works of young and independent artists to audiences, meets art enthusiasts from September 19 to 26.
Economic Hardships of Independent Art
Dr. Zeynep Uğur emphasizes that producing independent art has become much more challenging compared to 2019 due to rising high rents and a lack of resources, and that artists are fighting a battle for survival.
Closed Theater Venues
It is stated that medium-sized theater venues have largely been wiped off the map across Istanbul, leaving theaters trapped between giant shopping mall stages and very small spaces.
Basic Needs of Artists
It is conveyed that in order for young artists to continue their productions, they need free or minimally priced rehearsal and performance spaces, strong financial support, and equal access to cultural life.
International Highlights
As part of the program, the Cuban company MiCompania's work MONDO will be staged at ParibuArt on September 23-24, Deluge at Zorlu PSM on September 25, and various international works at Arter on September 22.
Barın Han Co-Production Project
Within the framework of the co-production project brought to life for the first time in cooperation with Barın Han, eight selected projects from literature, visual arts, and multidisciplinary fields will be exhibited from September 20 to 22.