Istanbul's Iconic Sites Illuminate History in Culture Route Festival
The Istanbul Culture Route Festival is currently underway, coordinated by the Culture and Tourism Ministry. The festival features captivating mapping shows at iconic locations, including Galata Tower, Maiden's Tower, and Tophane Fountain, viewable daily from 8 p.m. to midnight until Oct. 5.
At Maiden's Tower, 'The Dream of Conquest' premiered, depicting Istanbul's conquest and subsequent cultural richness. The work was created by art historian and digital artist Hakan Yılmaz, who also used AI to make Fatih Sultan Mehmet's portrait gaze directly at the audience. Meanwhile, 'Galata Dreams' at Galata Tower showcased iconic characters from Ottoman miniature artists in a single narrative, including Mehmed Siyah Kalem, Levni, and Veli Can. In this show, Levni's female characters enjoyed themselves at Maiden's Tower, joined by a dragon.
The 'Light of Victory' project at Tophane Fountain illustrated Istanbul's transformation from a derelict state under Byzantine rule to a culturally rich city after the conquest. The festival includes conquest scenes, such as ships being carried overland and cannon fire breaking the walls, followed by scenes of Istanbul's socio-cultural and intellectual life after the conquest.
The Istanbul Culture Route Festival offers a unique blend of history, art, and technology. With mapping shows curated by İsmail Erdoğan and prepared by Hakan Yılmaz, with music composed by Gürcan Ersoy, the festival provides a fascinating look into Istanbul's past and its cultural evolution.
