Welcome to the 31st Boston Turkish Festival:"Colors of Anatolia"
October 29 - December 15, 2026
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 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 Following the screenings of finalist films at the Goethe-Institut Boston between October 30 - November 8, film screenings will continue at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston starting on November 13. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FINALIST FILMS AND SCREENING SCHEDULE- TBA |
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
As part of the 31st Boston Turkish Culture and Arts Festival, two friends and accomplished musicians who perform on international stages — flutist Yağmur Soydemir, a professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and pianist Tolga Atalay Ün, conductor of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet — reunite for An Evening of Turkish Classics, Jazz and Tangos. Having performed together for Boston audiences for the first time last April, they are delighted to reunite and present a varied and colourful programme of wonderful works for flute and piano, featuring Turkish classics, jazz, tangos, and a few surprises! Don’t miss this special opportunity to experience their musical collaboration once again! SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025 | 8:00 p.m. Goethe-Institut Boston READ MORE... |
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. READ MORE... |
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. READ MORE... |
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. READ MORE... |
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. READ MORE... |
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 Food & Wine Program READ MORE... |
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 READ MORE... |
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 READ MORE... |
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 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.
