A Summer Embraced in Culture: Capture the City's Rhythm with Art

A Summer Embraced in Culture: Capture the City's Rhythm with Art

As the summer months rage on, culture and art permeate the daily grind like a cool breeze enveloping the city. During the week of July 21-27, cinemas once again open with nostalgia, theater stages fill with masters, concert halls resonate with new voices, and museums open their doors with documents that bear witness to the passing of time. This week, the city transforms into a soul-satisfying artistic feast.

This week, unforgettable past narratives collide with present-day narratives in movie theaters. Three cult films are being re-released on Paribu Cineverse: “I Am Legend,” starring Will Smith, about post-apocalyptic loneliness and resistance; “Fig Jam,” a romantic drama that captured the hearts of a generation; and “Erase Over”—the story of those who try to rebuild love by erasing memory. All of these films deserve to be watched not only with memories but also with fresh eyes. Meanwhile, brand new productions are also making their way to the big screen. “The Smurfs Movie” offers a colorful adventure that begins with Papa Smurf being kidnapped by evil wizards, for both children and adults nostalgic for their childhood. For thriller lovers, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” offers a disturbing retelling that brings the dark atmosphere of the 90s to the present day, while “Tradition” promises a warm and familiar story laced with provincial humor. For horror enthusiasts, "The Book of Jinn" and "Hypocrite 2" are among the week's notable productions, two local options that combine traditional narratives with modern horror cinema.

On the theater stage, a veritable parade of stars takes center stage. The musical Don Quixote, starring Selçuk Yöntem, Zuhal Olcay, and Cengiz Bozkurt, brings to the stage an epic narrative floating between fantasy and reality under the direction of master director Işıl Kasapoğlu. Molière's immortal classic The Miser, to be staged at Kadıköy Selamiçeşme Özgürlük Park on July 28th, offers a contemporary interpretation of the classic text with Serkan Keskin's much-talked-about Harpagon performance. The one-man play "Sait Faik: The Man Whose Life is a Story," which will premiere at the Atatürk Cultural Center on July 24th, builds a powerful stage language about the human condition, drawing on the storytelling of the great master. ENKA Open Air Theater breathes literary theater into summer nights. On July 21st, the "Time Regulation Institute" will be on stage with a performance by Serkan Keskin, while on July 23rd, Zuhal Olcay will meet music lovers with a selection of songs from the past to the present.

Zorlu PSM's open-air stage, Vestel Amfi, sets the tone for the week with cinema, music, and stand-up. On July 21st, Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece Pulp Fiction will be screening for free as part of Pluxee Cinema Days. Those who wish to attend the event simply need to pre-register at zorpsm.com. Aksel Gürel, the beloved name of the TuzBiber Stand-Up series, will take the stage on July 22nd, promising a night filled with humor and contemporary observations. Konuralp will take the stage on July 23rd as part of the City Sounds series. On July 24th, the summer evening opens up to dancing and music with Afterwork Party: Büber. On July 25th, The Flabbies take the stage; the band's long-awaited performance is poised to be one of Vestel Amfi's most energetic nights. The week concludes with the City Sounds: Eren concert on July 26th. Admission is free for all events; registration is required only at zorpsm.com.

This week's literary agenda features Üstün Dökmen's new novel, "Letter." The story, which begins with an envelope received by a prospective teacher, opens the door not only to an individual journey but also to a broader inquiry, from this country's education system to its search for hope. Told through the character Mirza Emir, the novel explores the inner turmoil of youth, woven together by exams, expectations, and impositions, on a fine line between humor and melancholy. As always, with his simple yet striking style, Dökmen invites the individual to consider the center of the system, not its periphery. The question that resonates throughout the novel is not, "What do you want to be?" but, "Who do you want to remain?"

Significant developments are also taking place in the museum world. The Türkiye İş Bankası Museum has surpassed a significant milestone by welcoming its three millionth visitor. The museum, which documents the history of the Republic, economic transformation, and the banking adventure, is particularly notable for its previously unseen documents from the İzmir Economic Congress. This month, Istanbul Modern is hosting London-based Greek composer Dimitris Skyllas as part of its International Artist in Residence Program. Skyllas will perform a piece inspired by Istanbul at the museum on September 12th. This gathering stands out as a significant example of interdisciplinary artistic practice.

The short film world is gearing up for the new season. Applications are now open for the 22nd Akbank Short Film Festival. The festival, which will take place from March 23 to April 2, 2026, aims to create a rich cinematic atmosphere with national and international competition sections, panels, and workshops.

There's big news for music lovers at the end of the week: Oscar and the Wolf will meet their fans at the Turkcell Stage at Zorlu PSM on October 8th. Belgian artist Max Colombie's blend of electronica, pop, and R&B will offer not only a musical experience but also a visual experience.

Art isn't just a pastime; it's a way of looking at life that deepens and gives it meaning. As we wander through the screens, stages, museum halls, and pages this week, perhaps we need to remember this: Art isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. It's those moments when the soul regroups and one comes to oneself. So, stop and listen; because this week, the city speaks through art.