- The event, which runs from 15 May to 21 June, brings together more than 40 artists from 20 countries in one of the country’s emerging cultural destinations.
Turkey continues to strengthen its position as an international cultural destination beyond established cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya and Izmir. In recent years, various regions of the country have begun to take centre stage thanks to a growing artistic and cultural programme that is redefining Turkey’s creative landscape. Among the most notable events is the Mardin Biennial, which celebrates its seventh edition from 15 May to 21 June 2026.
A member of the International Biennial Association (IBA), the biennial was founded in 2010 with the aim of transforming the historic city of Mardin, in south-eastern Anatolia, into one of the region’s new centres for contemporary art. Since then, the event has established itself as a meeting place for artists and art lovers, and this new edition will bring together more than 40 artists from some twenty countries.
The 2026 edition is curated by Çelenk Bafra, renowned for directing and developing exhibitions and artistic programmes in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy and France. Under the slogan “GÖKzemin” (SKYground), the biennial offers a journey through seemingly opposing concepts—such as sky and earth, past and future, or the individual and the collective—through a programme combining art installations, workshops, readings, talks and musical performances.
One of the major attractions of this edition is precisely its integration with Mardin’s historical and architectural heritage. For the first time, the biennial is expanding its venues beyond the historic centre and spreading out across various locations in the region, highlighting the destination’s cultural and scenic richness. Notable venues include the ancient city of Dara, known as the “Ephesus of Mesopotamia”; the Deyrulzafaran Monastery; the historic Ateş Beyler Hammam; the Sakıp Sabancı Municipal Museum of Mardin; and various public spaces scattered throughout the city.3
Considered one of the great treasures of south-eastern Türkiye, Mardin stands out for its unique multicultural heritage and its honey-coloured stone architecture, shaped by centuries of coexistence between civilisations and trade routes. Known as a veritable open-air museum, the city preserves some of the region’s most visited historical sites, such as the Great Mosque of Mardin, the Zinciriye Madrasa, the Kasımiye Madrasa and the Mor Behnam Church. Just a few kilometres away are also the Mor Gabriel Monastery, located in Midyat, and the aforementioned ancient city of Dara.
The cultural experience is rounded off by a cuisine deeply rooted in the local identity. From traditional Mardin breakfasts to specialities with protected geographical indications such as sembusek—a meat-filled pastry—or the local içli köfte, known as ikbebet when served boiled and irok when fried, the city offers a culinary experience characterised by spices and recipes inherited from different cultures. Syriac wine and traditional dibek coffee are also an essential part of the local gastronomic experience.
Amidst cobbled streets, restored old houses and the characteristic abbaras — the vaulted passageways connecting alleyways and inner courtyards — Mardin displays an identity shaped by centuries of exchange between civilisations. With direct connections from Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya, the city further strengthens its position as one of the most unique cultural and heritage destinations in south-eastern Türkiye.
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Source: COMUNICACIÓN IBEROAMERICANA