The Van Cultural Road Festival has begun

Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Van Museum, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Serdar Çam said that the "Turkey Culture Route Festivals," which started five years ago in seven regions and 20 cities, have become the largest festivals in the world.

Çam stated that Van, with its historical heritage, archaeological richness, artistic heritage, and gastronomic diversity, adds its own unique flavor and texture to the Culture Road Festival, saying, "The Culture Road Festival, which will take place over nine days filled with concerts, exhibitions, performances and screenings, talks, workshops, and gastronomic events, will highlight the rich cultural heritage of Türkiye and the world, while also bringing Van's unique artistic values, cultural heritage, handicrafts, historical sites, religious sites, natural riches, culinary destinations, urban culture, unity and solidarity, and many more to Türkiye's agenda."

Stating that many people from all over Türkiye, from regional cities and even from across the border attend these festivals, Çam said:

From this perspective, the Culture Road Festival has become an event that serves the vision of our cities becoming brand cities, a place where not only art and culture beat, but also tourism and the economy beat. Van has already been a brand city from past to present, and that's precisely why the Culture Road Festival is so fitting for the city. Throughout the festival, over 300 events will be held at over 20 locations throughout the city for the people of Van.

Çam stated that the most important aspect of the Culture Road Festival is children, saying, "Events that touch their world and enrich their minds and hearts make these festivals meaningful. We've dedicated one of the most important parts of this festival to children, and we will be providing tens of thousands of children with rich and specially prepared content through the Children's Village we will establish in Atatürk Culture Park."

Çam explained that there will be many artistic events, talks and exhibitions throughout the festival and continued:

I believe that Van's central city status, embodied in its ancient heritage, will continue to be evident throughout this festival. I invite the people of Van, as well as our citizens from all over Türkiye, especially those living in neighboring cities from Hakkari to Ağrı, Siirt to Bitlis and Şırnak, to join us in this nine-day cultural celebration. The most meaningful form of being together, of being united, is to be surrounded by culture, art, music, and literature. I congratulate our General Manager of Living Heritage and Cultural Activities, Selim Terzi, and his team, who have worked diligently to prepare this special festival; our Governor, Mr. Ozan Balcı, who has dedicated his time to every step of the festival since its inception, striving to bring culture and art to every corner of Van; all our cultural stakeholders, from our universities to our NGOs, who have conceived, worked, and produced for the festival; all our participating writers and artists; and you, our valued members of the press, who have shared and announced the events to our citizens throughout the festival; and I thank you on behalf of all the participants.

Deputy Governor Tuğba Polat said, "This festival, now being held for the second time this year, will transform our city into a true center of culture and arts for nine days. Our festival is not only a cultural and artistic gathering, but also a great opportunity to explore Van's historical, economic, and touristic potential. I hope the Van Cultural Road Festival will be a blessing for our city. I hope all our guests experience an inspiring, colorful, and culturally immersed festival."

Deputy Minister Çam and his entourage then visited the museum's exhibitions, including "Anatolia Full of Mystery," "The Urartian Heritage Transforming Silver into Art," "Light Rises from the East," "Princes and Sultans Toys," "Living Heritage: Socks and Booties," "Miniatures of Türkiye," "Documentary Screening of Türkiye's Masters," "Digital Animated Miniature Application," "Birds and Things," "Personal Ceramics," "Traditional Van Handicrafts," "Women from Urartu to the Present," and "Turkey from the Sky."

Afterwards, Çam and the protocol members visited the "Just Calligraphy" exhibition opened in the courtyard of the Hüsrevpaşa Mosque Complex, and also visited the "Pablo Picasso: Creation is Everything" exhibition at the Tariria Culture, Art and Gastronomy Center in the Edremit district, where they received information about the works.

Provincial Police Chief Murat Mutlu, Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Abdurrahman Şahin, Eastern Anatolia Development Agency Secretary General Halil İbrahim Güray and AK Party Provincial Chairman Abdulahat Arvas attended the program.

The festival will conclude on July 20.