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.
|
|
OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 16, 2025 Celebrating 20 Years!
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 and on November 14 & 16 at Boston University. CLICK HERE FOR COMPETITION FINALISTS & SCREENING SCHEDULE |
Written and Directed by Murat Fıratoğlu
Türkiye’s Entry for the 98th Academy Awards Orizzonti Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Co-presented with the Museum of Fine Arts Boston Film Program |
Concert THE YAĞMUR SOYDEMİR QUARTET Yağmur Soydemir, flute
The Yağmur Soydemir Quartet, led by the award-winning flutist, composer, and arranger Yağmur Soydemir, and featuring pianist Utar Artun, bassist Youngchae Jeong, and Grammy/Latin Grammy Award–winning drummer Mark Walker, bring their dynamic jazz performance to the Festival. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025 | 8:00 p.m. Goethe-Institut Boston |
THE CHORDS OF CHANGE Directed by Yağız Alp Akaydın
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. Saygun (1907-1991) is widely regarded as one of the most significant Turkish composers of classical music, 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. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Co-presented with the Museum of Fine Arts Boston Film Program |
TIME AFTER TIME Exhibit: Regenerations Painting, Photography & Some Poetry CAROL O'NEILL - ADNAN ONART
The exhibit "Time after Time" explores a powerful dynamic that unfolds along two vectors: Life and the Work of Art. Featuring the paintings of Carol O'Neill and the photographs of Adnan Onart, with poetry interspersed to form visual regenerations, the show examines renewal through memory. EXHIBIT ON VIEW: November 1 – December 15, 2025 CONVERSATION WITH THE ARTISTS:
Online & In Person | Nov. 8 | 2:00 p.m. The Cambridge Homes |
Culinary Event FLAVORS OF ANATOLIA with Chef Ana Sortun Celebrating 20 Years!
Experience an evening of exquisite Turkish cuisine accompanied by the distinctive wines of Kavaklidere Winery of Türkiye. 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. 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. Co-presented with Boston University Food & Wine Program Special thanks to Kavaklıdere Winery THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2025 | 6:00 pm Boston University BY ADVANCE REGISTRATION ONLY. LIMITED CAPACITY. |
Lecture NEOLITHIC SECRETS CARVED IN STONE by ŞERİF YENEN
Welcome to a journey back nearly 12,000 years, to a time when humanity first began leaving lasting imprints on stone. Sites like Göbekli Tepe and Karahantepe do more than expand our knowledge of prehistory—they challenge everything we thought we knew about the origins of civilization. These monumental enclosures, carved and arranged by hunter-gatherers long before the dawn of agriculture, reveal a sophistication in art, ritual, and social organization far beyond earlier assumptions. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. Goethe-Institut Boston |
Museum Gallery Tour ART AND ARTIFACTS OF ANATOLIA with HÜLYA KARA
Step into the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and discover the deep connections between your cultural heritage and world history. Did you know that the oldest artifact in the MFA comes from Syria and the second oldest is from Türkiye? On this 60-minute interactive tour, we will trace Anatolia’s role at the crossroads of civilizations through remarkable works of art and artifacts with Hülya Kara, an experienced educator, artist, and accomplished Gallery Tour Guide at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025 | 6:00 pm Museum of Fine Arts, Boston BY ADVANCE REGISTRATION ONLY. LIMITED CAPACITY. |
COLORS OF ANATOLIA by AHMET LÜLECİ Celebrating 15 Years!
Come and join us as we celebrate rich and diverse heritage of Anatolian folk dances through this workshop. Don't miss this rare opportunity to learn new dances from internationally acclaimed choreographer Ahmet Lüleci. The Colors of Anatolia Dance Workshop with Ahmet Lüleci, one of BTF's signature events, is celebrating its 15th year since its debut with Ahmet Lüleci in 2011. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. GSU Alley, Boston University Co-presented with the Boston University Turkish Student Association |
Concert BERKLEE TURKISH ENSEMBLE led by Utar Artun & Yağmur Soydemir
Join us for the debut concert of recently founded Berklee Turkish Ensemble led by distinguished musicians Utar Artun and Yağmur Soydemir, presenting a vibrant journey through the rich and diverse sounds of Turkish traditional and fusion music. Celebrating the legacies of Türkiye’s most renowned composers alongside original works by Berklee’s own Turkish faculty and students, the ensemble offers an unforgettable live experience. Ensemble Members: Arda Alper, voice; Ada Canata, harp & voice; Lucie Cholley, voice; Estefano Gutierrez, oud & fretless bass; Zeynep Kara, piano; Maya Nil Kaya, oboe; Rakel Saranga, voice; Kerem Seçkin, drums; Sinan Tökmeci, e.bass & e. guitar; Zeynep Yiğitoğlu, viola, Elif Yılmam Tuzcu, voice SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2025 | 7:30 pm Goethe-Institut Boston |
|
|
 |
Service Mark Advisory: Boston Turkish FestivalSM , Turkish FestivalSM ,
and Turkish American FestivalSM are
registered
service marks of the
Boston Turkish Festival.
