Organised by the İKSV with the support of Koç Holding Energy Group Companies Aygaz, Entek, Opet, and Tüpraş, the 29th Istanbul Theatre Festival opens on 20 October with a vibrant programme. Click to view the program.
Taking place from 20 October to 22 November, the festival marks the second year under the curatorship of Mehmet Birkiye and will present 16 theatre and dance productions from Türkiye and abroad.
This year’s programme brings together influential directors and choreographers who have shaped contemporary theatre, alongside emerging local talents who are defining the future of the performing arts in the region.
The Festival will open with Cathedral, a production by the Dutch dance company Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary, with the support of Nexent Bank as Performance Sponsor. Choreographed by Marcos Morau, the piece brings together contemporary dance and the spiritual music of Arvo Pärt. French-Catalan company Baro d’evel on the other hand, will perform Who are we?, a work that blends dance, circus, and theatre, for festival audiences in partnership with ENKA Foundation as Performance Sponsor with Higher Contribution.
This year’s programme centres on literary adaptations. Highlights include The New York Trilogy by French company En Votre Compagnie presented in cooperation with N Kolay as Performance Sponsor with Higher Contribution, Faust by Ankara State Theatre, Bovary by Belgium’s KVS Theatre with sponsorship of Odeabank bringing to life the theme “There is a Woman in This Work”, and A Woman’s Battles and Transformations, an Édouard Louis adaptation by moda sahnesi.
With the support of İKSV Accessible Arts Partner DenizBank, the Festival highlights accessibility in its programme through Hamlet by Teatro La Plaza, performed by eight actors with Down syndrome.
Once again, different corners of Istanbul will transform into festival stages. Special projects include a theatre stroll in Beyoğlu, Istanbul Mon Amour: Pera’s Dark Room by Kumbaracı50 with the support of MEKE Sanat since its inception; Open House, a performance on the economics of space and value at İMÇ (Istanbul Textile Traders’ Bazaar), and On the Trail Of Love In Istanbul: The Case Of Circassian Ridvan’s Intrigue, inspired by Reşad Ekrem Koçu’s historical tales, spanning the Ottoman to the Republican era.
The Festival also embraces young audiences. Game Within a Game, designed by Ceren Oran, sparks shared imagination with humour and physical creativity through on-stage improvisation.
Performances will take place at 11 venues on both sides of the Bosphorus, including Alan Kadıköy, Beyoğlu Cinema, Beyoğlu Sports Club, a historic inn in Haliç, Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Sahnesi, İMÇ, Mecidiyeköy Sahnesi, Metrohan, moda sahnesi, Paribu Art, and Zorlu PSM.
Tickets
Available online at the festival’s official ticket provider Passo.
Priority sales for Tulip Card members: 9–11 September
General sales: from Friday 12 September
Eczacıbaşı Youth Tickets: 30 TL
Supporters of the 29th Istanbul Theatre Festival
The 29th Istanbul Theatre Festival is organised with the co-sponsorship of Koç Holding Energy Group Companies Aygaz, Entek, Opet, and Tüpraş.
The Festival’s Accessible Arts Partner is DenizBank, while the Performance Sponsors with Higher Contribution are ENKA Foundation and N Kolay. Additional supporters include Odeabank as the “There is a Woman in This Work” Theme Sponsor, Nexent Bank and MEKE Sanat as Performance Sponsors, and Xiaomi Türkiye as Mobile Photography Partner. The Festival is also supported by Zorlu Performing Arts Centre and Paribu Art as Venue Sponsors with Higher Contribution, as well as Camper as Contributing Corporation.
Eczacıbaşı Group continues as the Founding Sponsor of all İKSV festivals. Other İKSV sponsors include The Marmara Group as Accommodation and Venue Sponsor, Alarko Holding as İKSV 2025 Festivals Children and Youth Workshops Sponsor and Zurich Insurance Group Türkiye as Insurance Sponsor. The Festival is realised with the contributions of service sponsors American Hospital, Insider, MindBehind, Mindshare, Plaza OSGB, GFK, Somera, boosmart, Loodos Technology, and Wiseback.
The Festival is also held in collaboration with Institut français Istanbul, Istanbul City Theatres, Kadıköy Municipality, Alan Kadıköy, Goethe İnstitute, Acción Cultural Española, Fonds Podium Kunsten Performing Arts Fund NL and the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
