İzmir Culture, Arts and Education Foundation (İKSEV) will organize the 39th International İzmir Festival with the contributions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, the main sponsorship of the Eczacıbaşı Group, and in collaboration with İzmir Goethe Institute, İzmir French Cultural Centre, the Consulate of Italy in İzmir, and the Polish Consulate General in Istanbul and İzmir Honorary Consulate.
The 39th International İzmir Festival will once again bring İzmir together with world-class artists between 4 June – 8 July 2026. The festival will unite the flawless acoustics of Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Centre (AASSM), the ancient spirit of Agora, the grandeur of Celsus, and the sea breeze of Çeşme Castle. The programme aims to embrace art lovers of all ages and tastes, ranging from classical music to jazz-infused trumpet dialogues and modern film scores.
With the aim of bringing art to historic venues and offering a cultural contribution to the city’s residents, İKSEV presents complimentary concerts at İzmir Historic Agora, the Library of Celsus, and Çeşme Castle. Attendance at these concerts requires a reservation. As venue capacities are limited, those wishing to attend may fill in the relevant form at iksev.org.
An Opening with the Mediterranean Spirit of Music
The festival will open magnificently on Thursday, 4 June 2026 at 21:00 at AASSM with the concert “The Mediterranean Spirit of Music” featuring legendary guitarist Pablo Sainz-Villegas and the Festival Chamber Orchestra. Known as “the soul of the guitar,” Pablo Sainz-Villegas is one of the most important guitarists of his generation. Having performed with the world’s most prestigious orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic, the artist is renowned for his emotional depth and technical mastery. At the opening concert, Villegas will present a repertoire featuring some of the most beloved works in classical guitar literature as well as pieces that demand great technical skill and reflect the Spanish spirit.
The Voice of Balance and Emotion: Notos Quartet
Regarded as a global reference point among piano quartets, the Notos Quartet consists of Sindri Lederer (violin), Andrea Burger (viola), Benjamin Lai (cello), and Antonia Köster (piano). Described as “the voice of balance and emotion,” the ensemble has received numerous international awards for their fresh interpretations of classical works. Taking place in collaboration with the İzmir Goethe Institute, the concert on Wednesday, 10 June 2026 at 21:00 at AASSM is a strong candidate to become one of the festival’s most memorable evenings.
Energy Carried from Tradition to the Future: Quatuor Magenta
France-based string quartet Magenta combines the discipline of traditional chamber music with a modern energy. Drawing attention with their young and dynamic character, the ensemble has been on a rising trajectory with their outstanding performances at major European festivals. The quartet, comprising Ida Derbesse (violin), Elena Watson-Perry (violin), Claire Pass-Lanneau (viola), and Fiona Robson (cello), joins the festival with a distinguished programme featuring works by women composers. The concert “Europe with Women Composers,” held in collaboration with the İzmir French Cultural Centre, will take place on Friday, 12 June 2026 at İzmir Historic Agora at 21:30. Those wishing to attend may fill in the form at https://forms.gle/PhuAt3voepTMfGDp7.
A Trumpet Dialogue Across Cultures
On Wednesday, 17 June 2026 at AASSM, the 39th International İzmir Festival will host two of the leading trumpet artists of our time. Matthias Höfs, one of the most important representatives of the German trumpet tradition in the world, and Tolga Bilgin, one of the most talented trumpeters Turkey has produced, will share the same stage, presenting a global musical dialogue showcasing their command of both classical and jazz music. In the project entitled “Around The World,” the two trumpeters will be accompanied by Aegean Chamber Collective, Can Çankaya (piano), Mauro Battisti (double bass), and Turgut Alp Bekiroğlu (drums).
A Mythological Encounter: Earth and Sky
Bringing together Swiss pan flutist Michel Tirabosco and harpist Şirin Pancaroğlu, “Earth and Sky” presents the thousands-of-years-old story of mythological and mystical instruments that have connected the divine and the earthly throughout history, in a contemporary interpretation. Thursday evening, 18 June 2026 at 21:00 at AASSM. The pure sounds of the pan flute drawn from nature and the celestial tones of the harp will reach the audience as a source of enchanting harmony. These two versatile virtuosos will realise a mythological encounter for the modern age. Prior to the concert, symbologist and author Efe Elmas will guide the audience with a mythological opening talk.
Bel Canto and Romanticism: Italian Tones
The concert to be held on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 at the Library of Celsus at 21:30 during the 39th International İzmir Festival will take audiences on a 65-minute journey spanning from the golden age of Italian opera in the 19th century to the Verismo movement. The concert will allow us to discover “Italian Tones” across a wide spectrum from the mastery of Rossini to the drama of Verdi and the passion of Puccini. Organised in collaboration with the Consulate of Italy in İzmir, the concert will feature Anna Cimmarrusti (Soprano), known for her rich timbre and profound interpretation; Lorenzo Martelli (Tenor), winner of numerous international awards for his brilliant upper register and powerful stage presence; Sara Minieri (Soprano), distinguished for her dramatic coloratura ability; and accomplished baritone Giulio Riccò, known for his mastery of the Bel Canto repertoire and lyrical depth. The four accomplished artists will be accompanied by Alessandro Zilioli, a highly skilled pianist with orchestral sensibility and expertise in opera accompaniment. Those wishing to attend may fill in the form at https://forms.gle/75dERUiHTjzfqiBB8.
Classics from Poland
Agatha Szymczewska, one of the most distinguished internationally recognised Polish violinists, will give a concert on Monday, 29 June 2026 at 21:00 at AASSM. One of the most brilliant virtuosos of our time and the recipient of all major international awards, the artist will perform works by Polish composers accompanied by pianist Wojciech Szymczewski. Organised in collaboration with the Polish Consulate General in Istanbul and the İzmir Honorary Consulate, Agatha Szymczewska will captivate audiences with her technical superiority and unique interpretation.
An Epic Journey Under the Stars
The 39th International İzmir Festival will conclude on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 at 21:30 at Çeşme Castle with a concert that will not soon be forgotten. La Chapelle Sauvage, conducted by Belgian conductor Karel De Wilde, will deliver an epic closing with a selection of Hans Zimmer’s immortal film scores. Brought to life through the teamwork and international initiative of young professional musicians from around the world under the leadership of conductor Karel De Wilde, La Chapelle Sauvage shares a wild and untameable musical passion through a contemporary, critical, and thoughtful approach. Those wishing to attend may fill in the form at https://forms.gle/gDySHiXwuJ5uRqRR7.
Festival Poster
The visual for the poster of the 39th International İzmir Festival was created by Ayşe Tatari, architect, painter, and member of the İKSEV Board of Directors.
Tickets on Biletix
Tickets for the 39th International İzmir Festival will go on sale through BİLETİX on Wednesday, 13 May 2026.
Simon Mundy, Member of the European Parliament’s Council for Cultural Cooperation, Journalist, Writer and Publisher, who examines member festivals of the European Festivals Association (EFA) “under the microscope” within the scope of the “Festival in Focus” project, evaluated the International Izmir Festival. Having a long conversation via Skype with Filiz Eczacıbaşı Sarper, President of İzmir Culture Art and Education Foundation and Festival Art Director, Mundy shared his impressions and views on the EFA website and social media.
In his article, Mundy mentioned the rich historical and artistic heritage of the Aegean Region and Izmir, emphasizing that the International Izmir Festival brings together the past and present through events organized in these venues. Mundy said, “The Izmir Festival offers a wonderful combination of ancient architecture and music of more recent times. More importantly, it always demonstrates the continuity of culture on the Aegean coast – empires, kingdoms and politicians come and go, but civilization recovers and art never diminishes.”
At the end of his well-received and appreciated article, Mundy made the following assessment: “… The International Izmir Festival, a festival with great prestige and high artistic standards, is held in Izmir on the Aegean Coast, located right in the middle of Turkey’s various historical sites and popular tourist resorts. Featuring a wide range of classical, traditional and contemporary works with both international and national performances in music, ballet, theatre and opera, the International Izmir Festival has proven to be one of Turkey’s cultural and intellectual cornerstones as a festival that attracts great interest from local people and foreigners visiting Turkey. Since its inception, the Festival has made a special effort to incorporate the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, and other heritage sites of Izmir into its venues. Ephesus, where performances are staged at the Festival, is listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage site.”
