International Art Festival in Izmir ( International Izmir Festival ) – Turkey's major cultural event. It takes place annually in the summer and lasts a little over a month, usually June-July.
Being one of the oldest cities in Turkey with a rich cultural heritage and history, Izmir – this beautiful city on the shores of the Aegean Sea – is an ideal place for such serious and large-scale events, like a festival of international arts.
The festival was first organized in 1987 in Izmir by the Foundation for Culture, Art and Education of the city ( IKSEV ), and since then it has been held every year for a quarter of a century, attracting many famous artists and thousands of tourists to the city, in addition, he is a member of the European Association of Festivals.
During the festival, in different years, such stars as: Elton John, Joan Baez, JethroTull, Tanita Tikaram, Ray Charles, Paco de Lucia, Christ De Burg, Sting, took part in it, Nigel Kennedy, Kodo, Chick Corea and Origin, Bryan Adams, James Brown, Kiri Te Kanawa. And also such famous bands as the « Moscow Soloists » Symphony Orchestra managed by Yuri Bashmet, the British Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the State Izmir Opera and Ballet Theater, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Amsterdam Royal Concert Orchestra, Turkish-Greek Youth Orchestra, Orchestras of the Leningrad and Moscow Philharmonic, New York Ballet, Martha Graham Dance Company, Academy of St. Martin in the Field and many others.
Here are the works of the great composers Wagner, Debussy, Schumann, Chopin, Mahler, Liszt, and in general in the repertoire of the festival works of various eras – from baroque to modern times, performances by dramatic artists and modern dance groups, operas and ballets, meetings with popular artists and a variety of concerts. The beautiful and amazingly filled International Festival of Arts, unforgettable Gala Concert, will end.