The third-largest city in Turkey and a significant commercial and cultural hub, Izmir is situated near the Aegean Sea. The city is renowned for its rich historical background, a vast variety of tourist attractions, unique cuisine, and numerous art events and festivals. At the festivals held throughout the year in the city centre and in the surrounding area, Izmir welcomes tens of thousands of festival enthusiasts on the festivals in Izmir.
Every year, the Izmir State Opera and Ballet hosts the International Ephesus Opera and Ballet Festival at Selçuk, a famous ancient city, as well as other iconic Izmir locations, like the Izmir Kültürpark Open Air Theatre. The events provide art enthusiasts the chance to watch top performers from Turkey and throughout the globe.
Another festival that invites a variety of theatre groups to the Aegean coast is the Ephesus Theatre Festival, which takes place in the spellbinding environment of Ephesus’ ancient theatre, the biggest theatre in all of antiquity.
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Established in 1985, the Izmir Foundation for Culture, Arts, and Education (KSEV) has brought notable festivals to Izmir. Every year, the foundation puts on the International Izmir Festival and the Izmir European Jazz Festival. The Dr. Nejat F. Eczacbaş National Composition Contest is another event that KSEV puts on every two years. Nearly 200 symphonies by national composers who enhance Turkey’s polyphonic music culture have been written as a result of the contest since 1998.
The Izmir European Jazz Festival, a member of the European Festivals Association, is another occasion put on by KSEV. Audiences can hear a variety of well-known local and worldwide jazz musicians at the event. Additionally, it offers young jazz musicians in Turkey the chance to take part in master classes and workshops led by well-known performers.
One of the most well-known puppet festivals in the world, the Izmir International Puppet Days, welcomes many puppet theatre companies from different nations to the city’s various cultural venues. The festival schedule also features exhibitions, seminars, and panels.