Culture And Arts

Armenian press and publishing world to meet at Gırgin Kirki Paradon
Armenian press and publishing world to meet at Gırgin Kirki Paradon
Organized jointly by Aras Publishing and the Yesayan Association, Gırgin Kirki Paradon (Again Book Festival) will take place at the Naregyan Hall in Beyoğlu from October 8–10. The festival will bring together Istanbul Armenian press, centuries-old publishing traditions, antiquarian booksellers, and independent publishers.
7 October 2026
Western Armenian conversation workshop at the Hrant Dink Foundation
Western Armenian conversation workshop at the Hrant Dink Foundation
The Hrant Dink Foundation’s Western Armenian Conversation Workshops will begin on October 14. The 10 week workshops are intended for participants who have a basic knowledge of Western Armenian and want to improve their conversational skills.
30 September 2026
A seminar on Armeno-Turkish begins at the History Foundation
A seminar on Armeno-Turkish begins at the History Foundation
The History Foundation (Tarih Vakfı) is organizing a 10-week seminar examining the Ottoman Empire’s multilingual and multi-script written culture through Turkish texts written in the Armenian script. The seminar, led by Orhun Yalçın, will begin on October 14.
30 September 2026
A century of Armenian cultural life in Istanbul comes together in “Hantes”
A century of Armenian cultural life in Istanbul comes together in “Hantes”
Yesayan Association’s new project, Hantes, aims to digitalize traces of Armenian cultural life in Istanbul from 1923 to 2023 through a database. At least 200 events will be archived as part of the project. A series of talks and workshops will be organized within the project, the first one of which will take place on October 1 at the Havak Hall in the Anarad Hığutyun Building, with the participation of Leontien Talboom of Cambridge University Libraries.
24 September 2026
Vardges Surenyants’s masterpiece exhibited in Armenia for the first time in 130 years
Vardges Surenyants’s masterpiece exhibited in Armenia for the first time in 130 years
Armenian painter Vardges Surenyants’s 1894 work “The Abandoned” is being exhibited in Armenia for the first time, more than 130 years after it was created. The exhibition at the National Gallery of Armenia brings together three of the artist’s monumental paintings and the historic church door depicted in one of them.
23 September 2026
Album by Ari Aliciyan dedicated to the centenary of Khachatur Avetisyan
Album by Ari Aliciyan dedicated to the centenary of Khachatur Avetisyan
Composer, arranger, and pianist Ari Aliciyan has released A Centenary Tribute, an album he prepared to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Khachatur Avetisyan, one of the important composers of Armenian music. Consisting of eight pieces, the album reinterprets Avetisyan’s works through the distinctive sounds of piano, qanun, oud, and classical kemenche.
15 September 2026
"I try to put some of the missing pieces back together, solve this puzzle, and create this history for myself."
"I try to put some of the missing pieces back together, solve this puzzle, and create this history for myself."
Gregory Jundanian, photographer and the founder of Armenians of Whitinsville digital archive, came to Turkey to trace his family history, and spoke to Agos. Jundanian talks about the influence of genocide transmitted through generations, how memory shapes identity and his efforts to reconnect family ties that has been lost..
17 July 2026 Berge Arabian
A family story left unfinished a hundred years ago: “Seeds of the Same Pomegranate”
A family story left unfinished a hundred years ago: “Seeds of the Same Pomegranate”
“Seeds of the Same Pomegranate”, invited to the Yerevan Golden Apricot International Film Festival, is a documentary which focuses on memory, belonging and the feeling of cohabitation while traces the footprints of a family back in time. Director Şeyla Korkut spoke to Agos about both her film and the marks this personal journey left on her.
13 July 2026 Lusyen Kopar
Echoes, Light, and Sacred Voices: A VOX Aeterna Night
Echoes, Light, and Sacred Voices: A VOX Aeterna Night
Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem were, of course, the highlights of the evening and the works in which the audience was most intensely engaged. Although they belonged to different periods, works by Gabriel Fauré, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Ahmet Adnan Saygun flowed seamlessly throughout the night.
24 June 2026 Sarem Külegeç Şeşetyan
An exhibition in Diyarbakır, old friends, and new stories
Reuniting with an Old Friend
An exhibition in Diyarbakır, old friends, and new stories
The first exhibition of the 4Ro Photos collective, “Stories of Mesopotamia,” has opened in Diyarbakır. Photographer Berge Arabian, whose work is featured in the exhibition, writes about the opening day, the collective’s three-year journey, and what it felt like to return to Diyarbakır once again.
14 June 2026 Berge Arabian
“If we stop, we fall; we should not stop”
Minority Publishing Discussed in Turkey
“If we stop, we fall; we should not stop”
Representatives of minority publishers and media organizations gathered at the istos office to discuss the meaning of multicultural publishing and its place in collective memory. During the panel, which featured the experiences of Aras, a pioneer of Armenian literature; istos, which keeps the Greek publishing tradition alive; and Avlaremoz, which focuses on combating antisemitism, one message stood out: “We value publishing a sentence, a poem, or a stance that otherwise would not find a place for itself. If we do not do it, that work will not exist.”
11 June 2026 Marta Sömek
ArtContact Hosted Artists from Armenia
ArtContact Hosted Artists from Armenia
The 6th International Contemporary Art Fair ArtContact Istanbul, held from May 13–17, also hosted artists and galleries from Armenia. We spoke with Aram Sarksyan, founder of Arame Art Gallery and painter Tigran Matulyan about the importance of fostering cultural dialogue through art.
21 May 2026 Lusyen Kopar
A farewell to memory, loss, and invisibility
HANGARDZ’S NEW PLAY “52 HERTZ” TAKES THE STAGE
A farewell to memory, loss, and invisibility
The independent theater group Hangardz’s new play, “52 Hertz,” brings the story of four women on an island on the brink of extinction to the stage. Drawing from autobiographical narratives, the play establishes a collective questioning centered on memory, invisibility, and solidarity. The premiere is on April 2 at the DasDas Open Stage.
30 March 2026
‘Vay Başıma Gelen’ on Stage in February and March
‘Vay Başıma Gelen’ on Stage in February and March
The Pangaltı High School Alumni Association (PLYD) continues to stage the play titled ‘Vay Başıma Gelen’ (The Crazy Time), written by author Sam Bobrick. The play will be performed for the benefit of various institutions within the Armenian community.
10 March 2026
Wedding
IF LENSES COULD TALK
Wedding
"Photographer Berge Arabian tells the stories behind his photographs in his column titled 'If lenses could talk,' featured in the culture and arts pages of Agos. This week’s installment covers his first visit to Turkey and topics such as 'Surp Asdvadzadzin Church... Church, church... Patriarchate... Kumkapı'."
2 March 2026
Protest
IF LENSES COULD TALK
Protest
In his column titled ‘If Lenses Could Talk’ for the arts and culture pages of Agos, photographer Berge Arabian shares the stories behind his photographs. This week’s focus is on a protest he documented in Istanbul.
23 February 2026
İlker Çatak Wins Golden Bear, Emin Alper Wins Silver Bear
BERLINALE, THE FESTIVAL OF CRISES, HAS CONCLUDED
İlker Çatak Wins Golden Bear, Emin Alper Wins Silver Bear
At the Berlin Film Festival, İlker Çatak won the festival’s top prize, the Golden Bear, with his film “Yellow Letters” while Emin Alper was awarded the Silver Bear for his film Salvation (Kurtuluş). In his speech, which sent greetings to Rojava, Gaza, Iran, and Silivri, Alper commemorated Gezi prisoners Çiğdem Mater, Tayfun Kahraman, Mine Özerden, Can Atalay, and Osman Kavala, saying, “You are not alone.” He also sent a message of “You are not alone” to Selahattin Demirtaş, Ekrem İmamoğlu, and imprisoned mayors.
22 February 2026
Tarkmanças celebrates its 240Th anniversary with a theater play
Tarkmanças celebrates its 240Th anniversary with a theater play
Ortaköy Tarkmanças School is celebrating its 240th anniversary. Ganç (Call) Theater Group, consisting of school alumni, will stage the play ‘Baronyan Reloaded,’ which they have been working on for a year for the celebrations. The play will meet the audience on Tuesday evening, February 24, at 20:30 at the Beşiktaş Süleyman Seba Culture and Art Center.
22 February 2026
81 Artists Call on Berlinale: “Do Not Stay Silent on Genocide”
FROM JAVIER BARDEM TO TILDA SWINTON
81 Artists Call on Berlinale: “Do Not Stay Silent on Genocide”
Eighty-one artists, including Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton, Brian Cox, and Adam McKay, have called on Berlinale officials to take a stand against the genocide in Gaza and to express this stance openly.
18 February 2026
British Museum removes "Palestine" from exhibitions
British Museum removes "Palestine" from exhibitions
The British Museum, an institution already facing scrutiny for its controversial collection and recent theft scandals, has removed the term "Palestine" from various maps and information panels in its Ancient Middle East galleries. The decision follows "concerns" raised by the UK Lawyers for Israel.
17 February 2026

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Dr. İkna Sarıaslan has passed away
Dr. İkna Sarıaslan has passed away
Farewell to One of the Last Figures of Istanbul Armenian Literature Dr. İkna Sarıaslan, a prominent writer of Istanbul Armenian literature and a long-time physician, has passed away at the age of 81 following a period of health issues. A funeral ceremony will be held for Sarıaslan on Wednesday, February 18, at 2:00 PM at the Beyoğlu Üç Horan Church.
16 February 2026
Lale Kıraathanesi in Istanbul’s Pangaltı Has Closed
Lale Kıraathanesi in Istanbul’s Pangaltı Has Closed
Lale Kıraathanesi on Tavukçu Fethi Street in Pangaltı recently closed its doors. It is currently undergoing rapid renovation. When I stopped by, the chairs had been taken away, the counter and the stove were dismantled, and the “tea time” sign on the wall had been taken down, though the sign on the window was still in place.
4 February 2026 Bülent Aydın
Yerevan: The City Where Art Breathes
Yerevan: The City Where Art Breathes
“Yerevan possessed one of the most beautiful city centers I have seen among Middle Eastern and Caucasian cities. Unique stone structures, vast Soviet-style squares, boulevards, the aesthetics of street names and signs, parks, and statues… It gave the appearance of a city where art breathes. Walking along its wide avenues created the feeling of wandering through the streets of a European city, rather than being in the center of a country that shares a border with Turkey.”
2 February 2026
"The fear of forgetting, the difficulty of remembering"
JOINT EVENT FROM HANGARDZ AND ISTOS
"The fear of forgetting, the difficulty of remembering"
A conversation series revolving around Hangardz’s new play '52 Hertz' begins tomorrow. In the event taking place on January 28 at 19:30 at the istos office, Reha Keskin and Miran Bulut will open to discussion female authors’ experiences of writing in Armenian, cultural memory, and practices of remembering in language.
28 January 2026
Mapping Armenian Paris: A new project by CALFA
Mapping Armenian Paris: A new project by CALFA
The newspaper archives of the Samuelian Bookstore in the heart of Paris, a vital landmark of Armenian cultural heritage, are being transformed into a digital map through AI technology. Calfa and its partners have entered a new phase to uncover Armenian shops, associations, and social life in 20th-century Paris.
21 January 2026
Epiphany Enthusiasm in Fener: Prayers, bells, and the cross retrieved from the sea…
Epiphany Enthusiasm in Fener: Prayers, bells, and the cross retrieved from the sea…
The Feast of Epiphany, symbolizing the baptism of Jesus Christ, was celebrated in Istanbul with the "Cross Retrieval Ceremony from the Sea" led by the Fener Greek Patriarchate. As part of a tradition maintained for centuries, Vasilios Konstantinidis retrieved the cross thrown into the Golden Horn by Patriarch Bartholomew among 40 participants. The ceremony witnessed colorful moments with the release of white doves into the sky.
7 January 2026 Marta Sömek
"You will protect 'Maral' and keep it alive"
MARAL’S PERFORMANCE AT AKM WATCHED WITH GREAT ADMIRATION
"You will protect 'Maral' and keep it alive"
The Maral Music and Dance Ensemble, operating under the Esayan Alumni Association, organized the final event of its 45th-anniversary celebrations.
26 December 2025
Western Armenian Translation Grant Awarded to Aktokmakyan and Janbazian
Western Armenian Translation Grant Awarded to Aktokmakyan and Janbazian
This year’s grant covered literary works written in Western Armenian from any period and across all literary genres. Among the submissions received, two works were found equally successful by the judges.
24 December 2025 Norayr Olgar
"My reality is being human, my spice is my Armenianness"
THE END OF ‘SOUND OF OUR LIFE’ WITH ARTO TUNÇBOYACIYAN
"My reality is being human, my spice is my Armenianness"
Arto Tunçboyacıyan has concluded his quarter-century journey with his legendary group, the Armenian Navy Band, through the album “Cold Mountain - The End.” The master musician spoke about the 'rhythm' of life, ranging from artificial intelligence to identity politics, and from memories of Charles Aznavour to advice for the new generation.
22 December 2025 Antranik Bakırcıoğlu
Ara Malikian’s Violin Set to Resound in Yerevan
Ara Malikian’s Violin Set to Resound in Yerevan
Lebanese-Armenian virtuoso Ara Malikian, considered one of the world's best violinists, is preparing to return to Yerevan for a highly anticipated concert as part of his "Intruso World Tour." The concert will take place on February 15 at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan. The world-famous artist's Turkey concert, scheduled for 2022, was canceled due to security reasons.
16 December 2025
At the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit with the Pope: Excitement, Tears, Faith, and a Divine Moment
At the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit with the Pope: Excitement, Tears, Faith, and a Divine Moment
Pope Leo XIV's "prayer meeting" at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit - Saint Esprit became a shared expression of enthusiasm that overflowed the cathedral and centuries-old faith. Hundreds of people witnessed the historic ceremony that transformed the Pope's "First Apostolic Journey" into a divine moment, as the spirit of "unity" from the First Council of Nicaea prevailed.
28 November 2025 Marta Sömek
Inauguration of the Ara Hrechdakian Chair of Armenian Studies at Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Inauguration of the Ara Hrechdakian Chair of Armenian Studies at Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Saint Joseph University of Beirut inaugurated the Ara Hrechdakian Chair of Armenian Studies on October 27, 2025, made possible through a generous donation from the Hrechdakian family. The Chair, operating within the university's Bibliothèque Orientale, will focus on research activities while organizing academic conferences, cultural workshops, and exhibitions, as well as offering courses in Armenian Studies. Actress Arsinée Khanjian has been appointed as Chairholder, and Dr. Vahe Tachjian will serve as Executive Director. The Chair plans to create a website devoted to Armenian communities in Lebanon and the Middle East, aiming to preserve family materials and reconstruct the memory of community life while engaging both Armenian and non-Armenian audiences.
9 November 2025