Welcome to the 31st Boston Turkish Festival:"Colors of Anatolia"
October 29 - December 15, 2026
FESTIVAL PROGRAM IS IN PROGRESS
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.
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OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 15, 2026 Celebrating 21 Years!
Boston Turkish Arts and Culture Festival’s 21st 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. The first of its kind organized in North America, the competition has transformed to a great tradition where film enthusiasts are able to explore works of the emerging filmmakers firsthand. The competition finalists will be screened between October 30 – November 8 at the Goethe-Institut Boston. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 | 6:30pm-10:00pm FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 | 6:30pm-10:00pm SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 | 6:30pm-10:00pm SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 | 3:30pm-7:00pm
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HUMAN MOSAIC: A THOUSAND FACES, ONE HUMANITY Photography Exhibit by ATİLLA ÖZKEFELİ
Human Mosaic: A Thousand Faces, One Humanity is a photographic exhibition that explores the intersection of identity, culture, memory, and shared human experience. Through a collection of portraits, cultural documentation, and images of rituals, traditions, and everyday moments, the exhibition examines how individual stories are reflected in the human face. At the heart of the project is the belief that every face carries a unique history. The lines that form over a lifetime are more than physical features; they are traces of joy and sorrow, resilience and vulnerability, celebration and loss. Each portrait serves as a visual narrative, revealing the experiences, heritage, and emotions that shape a person's identity. EXHIBIT ON VIEW ONLINE: October 30 - December 15, 2026 |
Concert AN EVENING OF TURKISH CLASSICS, JAZZ & TANGOS Yağmur Soydemir, flute
Long-time collaborators Yağmur Soydemir, award-winning flutist and Berklee College of Music faculty member, and Tolga Atalay Ün, acclaimed pianist, conductor of the Ankara State Opera & Ballet, and historical keyboardist, reunite for "An Evening of Turkish Classics, Jazz and Tangos". Building on their celebrated rapport rooted in their early conservatory years, the duo crafts a captivating musical journey that seamlessly bridges cultural traditions and genres—weaving together elegant Turkish classical melodies, rich jazz harmonies, dynamic tangos, and original compositions for flute and piano. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025 | 8:00 p.m. Goethe-Institut Boston Details TBA |
Film Screening NIGHT OF BLINDNESS Written and Directed by Reis Çelik DIRECTOR PRESENT
BEST SCREENPLAY AWARD: Shanghai Film Festival, China (2026) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. |
Film Screening ON THE DRY ROCK Directed by Yeşim Ustaoğlu
WORLD PREMIERE: Thessaloniki Film Festival, Greece (2026) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. |
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. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2026 | 3:30 pm Museum of Fine Arts, Boston BY ADVANCE REGISTRATION ONLY. LIMITED CAPACITY. DETAILS TBA |
Film Screening YELLOW LETTERS Directed by İlker Çatak
GOLDEN BEAR - Best Film: Berlin Film Festival, Germany (2026) SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. |
Culinary Event FLAVORS OF ANATOLIA with Chef Ana Sortun Celebrating 21 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. One of BTF's signature events, Flavors of Anatolia is celebrating its 21st 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 & House of Burgundy THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2026 | 6:00 pm Boston University |
COLORS OF ANATOLIA by AHMET LÜLECİ Celebrating 16 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 16th year since its debut with Ahmet Lüleci in 2011. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. GSU Alley, Boston University Co-presented with the Boston University Turkish Student Association DETAILS TBA |
Concert BERKLEE TURKISH ENSEMBLE led by Utar Artun & Yağmur Soydemir
Join us for a concert by 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. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2026 | 8:00 pm Goethe-Institut Boston DETAILS TBA |
Lecture ISTANBUL: THE LAYERED CITY AND ITS HIDDEN GEMS by ŞERİF YENEN
In this richly illustrated presentation, Şerif Yenen explores İstanbul as a city shaped by successive layers of history, culture and daily life. Moving beyond the familiar landmarks, he traces the city from its prehistoric beginnings through Byzantine Constantinople, the Ottoman capital and the modern metropolis, revealing how these different worlds continue to coexist in its monuments, neighbourhoods, traditions and urban landscape. Drawing on nearly four decades of experience interpreting İstanbul, Yenen also turns to the city’s lesser-known corners, hidden remains, cultural practices, flavours and living communities. The presentation offers a deeper way of understanding İstanbul: not as a collection of individual sights, but as a layered civilisation whose past remains visible, tangible and very much alive in the present. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2026 | 2:30 p.m. Goethe-Institut Boston DETAILS TBA |
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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.
