arts

Gaziantep is one of the most developed cities in Southeastern Anatolia and keeps the pulse of the cultural and artistic life of the region.

The International Gaziantep Opera and Ballet Festival, organized by the State Opera and Ballet, host local audiences, prominent artists, orchestras, and groups in Gaziantep.

The Gaziantep State Theater, the Gaziantep Municipality Theater (Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyesi Şehir Tiyatrosu), and private theater companies stage many classical and modern plays on different stages across the city during the season.

In addition, Gaziantep hosts various art events such as exhibitions, opera and ballet performances, and concerts throughout the year and across the city. The events are eagerly awaited by a wide range of audiences. 

Arts and Culture Centers

The Gaziantep Art Center, one of the most important art centers and the meeting points for arts & culture events in Gaziantep, was renovated by Gaziantep Municipality and inaugurated in 2016. The history of the building, which attracts the attention of visitors with its architectural structure, is also interesting. The venue used to be the courthouse and high criminal court in the past, and drew attention both nationally and internationally with the awards it received during its restoration. It now stands out as one of the city’s iconic structures. In addition, the center’s mosaic floors were made by women and young craftsmen who were given special mosaic training. The mosaics – for the first time in Türkiye and in the world – were created using eco-friendly materials following a transformation of glass waste. The center attracts great interest with its numerous exhibitions, symposiums, and talks on different art disciplines, as well as its library and workshops.

The Saint Bedros Church, one of the city’s historical buildings with a 450-year history, today welcomes audiences as the Ömer Ersoy Cultural Center. Visitors are captivated by the center’s magnificent atmosphere. The center hosts many different art events and concerts, including concerts by symphony orchestras.

There are numerous arts & culture centers that belong to district municipalities, universities, and private institutions and they contribute greatly to the city’s very vibrant art scene. Gaziantep also draws attention with its parks that are perfectly integrated into the modern city structure. 100. Yıl Atatürk Kültür Parkı (100^th Anniversary Atatürk Culture Park) draws attention with its size and facilities. Along with Gaziantep’s Festival Park, they are among the city’s most important venues for arts & culture events and festivals and are visited by thousands of locals and visitors each year.