Welcome to the 30th Boston Turkish Festival:"Colors of Anatolia"
October 29 - December 15, 2025
Boston Turkish Festival, which was founded in 1996, is a unique festival which lasts more than a month and it is one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. The festival theme since 2006, “Colors of Anatolia”, reflects the cultural diversity and richness, ranging from fine arts, dance, music, film to culinary arts. We are proud to present to you another high caliber festival once again this year.
FESTIVAL PROGRAM IS IN PROGRESS |
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OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 9, 2025 Boston Turkish Arts and Culture Festival’s 20th Annual Documentary & Short Film Competition, co-presented with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Film Program has become a North American tradition attracting international acclaim.
This year’s competition starts on October 30th and continues on November 1st with screenings at the MFA. Screenings of the competition finalists will take place on November 7-9 at the Goethe-Institut Boston. Competition finalists and screening program will be announced soon. |
"The Chords of Change," directed by Yağız Alp Akaydın, chronicles the cultural and artistic revolution of 1930s Türkiye and the remarkable creation of "Özsoy," the first Turkish opera. This monumental and deeply emotional task was completed in just 27 days, with composer Ahmet Adnan Saygun not only composing the opera but also staging it with a dedicated team of musicians and artists. Saygun would later become one of the most significant and internationally recognized Turkish composers of classical music.
Written and Directed by Murat Fıratoğlu
Eyüp works relentlessly under the blazing sun during a tomato harvest in southeastern Turkey, driven by the urgent need to settle an impending debt. After a clash with his supervisor, he roams the city in search of a radical solution. * Türkiye’s Entry for the 98th Academy Awards Best International Feature Film Category “The film shows the growing polarization between wealthy investors with smart cars and a very poor working class,” Firatoğlu said in a statement prior to the film’s Venice launch.” – Variety “Of a seeming and disarming simplicity, One of Those Days When Hemme Dies is a film which forces the audience to stop and observe the small everyday actions of life, the small but significant acts of rebellion carried out by souls who have no intention of laying down arms.” - Cineuropa THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Co-presented with the Museum of Fine Arts Boston Film Program READ MORE... |
Directed by Yağız Alp Akaydın
In 1930’s Türkiye, when the young Republic was undergoing radical transformation, this impressive story of the cultural and artistic revolution led by President Atatürk reveals the country’s brave steps towards modernization and the spirit of the period with pride and deep emotion. It is the story of remarkable creation of "Özsoy," the first Turkish opera; a monumental task completed in just 27 days by composer Ahmed Adnan Saygun and a dedicated team of musicians and artists. Ahmet Adnan Saygun (1907-1991) is widely regarded as one of the most significant and internationally recognized Turkish composers of classical music. He was a member of a group of Turkish composers known as "The Turkish Five" and is particularly known for his incorporation of Turkish folk music into his compositions. His work has been deeply appreciated by world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who has performed and recorded several of Saygun's pieces, bringing them to a wider international audience. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Co-presented with the Museum of Fine Arts Boston Film Program READ MORE... |
FLAVORS OF ANATOLIA with Chef Ana Sortun
Experience an evening of exquisite Turkish cuisine accompanied by the distinctive wines of Anatolia’s Kavaklıdere Winery.
Joining Chef Sortun, Pastry Chef of Oleana, Nik Mastalerz, will be providing the dessert for the evening. Nik was recently named to the 2024 Rising Star Chefs. One of BTF's signature events, Flavors of Anatolia is celebrating its 20th year, which had its inaugural event with chef Ana Sortun in 2006. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2025 | 6:00 pm Boston University Food & Wine Program Co-presented with Boston University Food & Wine Program Special thanks to Kavaklıdere Winery |
James Beard award-winning Chef Ana Sortun, owner of Oleana restaurant and co-owner of Sofra Bakery & Café and Sarma restaurant, will share flavorful and enticing Turkish dishes that provide a culinary backdrop to the region. Ana has authored/co-authored 2 cookbooks, Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean and Soframiz: Vibrant Middle Eastern Recipes from Sofra Bakery.
with Ahmet Lüleci
Come and join us as we celebrate rich and diverse heritage of Anatolian culture and folk dances through this workshop by Ahmet Lüleci, internationally acclaimed choreographer, performer, and dance teacher. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2025 | 3:00 pm Free admission but advance registration required. < CLICK HERE TO REGISTER >Co-presented with Boston University Turkish Student Association READ MORE... |
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Service Mark Advisory: Boston Turkish FestivalSM , Turkish FestivalSM ,
and Turkish American FestivalSM are
registered
service marks of the
Boston Turkish Festival.
