The Cultural Bridges Programme forms a key element of the EU-Turkey Civil Society Dialogue. It contributes to the dialogue's overarching aim of generating mutual knowledge and understanding between civil societies in both Turkey and EU Member States. This initiative provides €6 million in European Union funds to support multinational activities of the EU cultural institutes and their Turkish partners that cover all aspects of contemporary arts - music, performing arts, plastic and visual arts - and literature. Projects financed under this programme work towards establishing lasting intercultural dialogue and strong partnerships in the cultural field between Turkey and the EU. 

 

Eighteen countries, including Turkey, take part in the programme to exhibit highly visible multi-national events across a full range of cultural themes. Activities take place in Turkey as well as in EU Member States.

 

 

 

March 2009 – October 2010

 

Run by the Goethe-Institut, the project allows audiences in 24 Turkish cities to engage with nearly 50 authors and numerous musicians, photographers and filmmakers from eight EU countries. A major component is the discussions after the readings, which allow young people to share their views and engage in lively debate with the visiting writers. Following the tour is a bookmobile containing books, laptops, and information about the participating countries. After a special program and gala in Istanbul, the tour will continue to the EU – this time presenting Turkish writers and musicians – with galas taking place in Pécs and Essen, culminating in a gathering of all participating authors in Brussels.

 

 

March 2009 – December 2010

 

The project is run by the Italian Institute of Culture-Ankara. It brings together about 500 artists from Turkey and the EU. It includes theatre performances, youth operas, ethno-music concerts, Mediterranean jazz concerts, photo exhibitions, art education programmes, a documentary film and a book on the common root of Mediterranean cultures, a total of 123 activities in 34 locations. These colourful activities from various fields of arts involve 13 countries and are complemented by workshops and conferences.

 

 

March 2009 – February 2011

The project is run by the British Council. It focuses on art in public space in order to engage young people in debate about the identity and the future of their cities. New works by prominent artists from five EU countries are being commissioned for Canakkale, Istanbul, Konya, Mardin and Trabzon in Turkey. Six distinguished artists from Turkey will be hosted by leading contemporary arts centres in Berlin, Dortmund, Helsinki, London, Vienna and Warsaw. Parallel activities include an education programme for schools, an e-diary, a network TV documentary, international study visits for staff from city and regional museums as well as a celebration of the cities in literature (including creative writing for teenagers).

 

 

July 2009 – February 2011

The project is run by the French Cultural Institute. It sets up and runs a trans-national multimedia platform for cultural e-journalism on the internet for young journalists, cultural operators and artists. The project enables multicultural teams of 70 young journalists from Turkey, Romania, and France to cover cultural events such as the Turkish cultural season in France, the European Capitals of Culture 2010 –Istanbul, Pécs and Essen – and the activities organized by other EU cultural institutes in Turkey.