Şanlıurfa Culture Road Festival 2025: A Grand Celebration Of Heritage As A Unesco City Of Music
Şanlıurfa Culture Road Festival 2025: A Grand Celebration of Heritage as a UNESCO City of Music
Şanlıurfa, Turkey — From May 24 to June 1, 2025, the historic city of Şanlıurfa, proudly designated as a UNESCO City of Music, came alive with the vibrant energy of the Culture Road Festival, an important stop in Turkey’s nationwide Culture Road Festival series. Over nine days, nearly one million visitors celebrated the city’s rich musical heritage alongside its deep-rooted cultural traditions, positioning Şanlıurfa as a dynamic cultural hub on the global stage.
Şanlıurfa, Turkey — From May 24 to June 1, 2025, the historic city of Şanlıurfa, proudly designated as a UNESCO City of Music, came alive with the vibrant energy of the Culture Road Festival, an important stop in Turkey’s nationwide Culture Road Festival series. Over nine days, nearly one million visitors celebrated the city’s rich musical heritage alongside its deep-rooted cultural traditions, positioning Şanlıurfa as a dynamic cultural hub on the global stage.
As the third host city among 20 nationwide stops, Şanlıurfa showcased its cultural wealth across more than 100 events held at historic sites and cultural venues throughout the city. The festival offered a diverse range of activities, from live concerts and theatrical performances to art exhibitions, culinary workshops, and archaeological sessions—creating a multidimensional cultural experience that appealed to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
As a UNESCO City of Music, Şanlıurfa strongly reflected this identity throughout the festival program. Renowned Turkish artists such as Serkan Kaya, Oğuzhan Koç, Bilal Sonses, Bayhan, Derya Uluğ, Murat Dalkılıç, Bengü, Ebru Yaşar, and Alişan blended contemporary melodies with the city’s ancient musical traditions in performances mostly held at iconic venues like the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum.
The festival’s closing concert featured Alişan paying tribute to Şanlıurfa’s UNESCO City of Music status and its rich musical legacy by performing works of legendary artists like İbrahim Tatlıses. These moments forged a powerful connection with both local and international audiences, bridging past and present.
Beyond its cultural and artistic significance, the festival also delivered substantial economic benefits to Şanlıurfa. The influx of visitors boosted hotel and restaurant occupancy rates, while local businesses thrived amid the increased activity—demonstrating the tangible positive impact of cultural events on urban economies.
The Şanlıurfa Culture Road Festival, with its UNESCO City of Music identity, beautifully exemplified the unifying power of culture and its role in promoting sustainable tourism. By bringing together history, art, and community, the festival offered a unique platform for visitors worldwide to engage with Turkey’s multifaceted cultural heritage.
As the festival concluded, Şanlıurfa reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and advancing its unique traditions while solidifying its position as a leading center of cultural exchange and dialogue on the international stage.
