The year 2024 marked the centennial celebration of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and the Netherlands. It was another year in which we showed our robust commitment to fostering cultural diplomacy, artistic innovation, and supporting positive social and environmental impact.  This report provides an overview of the key events, initiatives, and outcomes that contributed to deepening bilateral relations through cultural exchange, with a focus on themes of sustainability, inclusion, and community engagement.

Read the ful report HERE

Landmark events included the Friendship Concert at Hierapolis Ancient Theatre, that featured joint performances by the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra (Netherlands) and Orkestra Akademik Başkent (Türkiye), and Maze Voices, an award-winning Dutch a cappella group who performed at the Istanbul Music Festival. We continued to support Earthquake-Affected Communities with various cultural projects emphasizing the power of healing and resilience through art: Children’s Theatre – “ Minoes “, for example, reached over 20,000 children with free theater performances and book distributions in rural and affected areas. The Train-the-Trainers program provided art therapy and disaster-relief training to 80 local professionals, benefiting over 1,500 children in Diyarbakır , Adıyaman , and Hatay .

Promoting inclusion and tackling discrimination were also prominent themes with projects such as the Grow Local, Grow Equal initiative, led by Dutch experts, helping to empower women and underrepresented groups in the music industry. The Orange the World Campaign Film Screenings used Dutch cinema to address gender-based violence, reaching audiences in cities like Bursa, Izmir, and Gaziantep.

Showcasing Dutch Creativity and Heritage was another topic that received attention through exhibitions like "Timeless Curiosities" at Istanbul Modern and the "Blue and White Ceramics" exhibition in Ankara. Such projects highlighted Dutch contributions to both digital and traditional art. The Flying Dutchman Opera and Makas Concert Tour showcased Dutch artists, bridging musical traditions together with modern interpretations, whilst initiatives such as the Spaces of Culture program and ITEF Istanbul International Literature Festival facilitated intercultural exchanges, connecting over 200 cultural operators and fostering many partnerships.

Notably, the projects we supported engaged over 20,000 children with theater and educational programs. And whilst more than 10,000 individuals attended the Bozcaada Jazz Festival that featured Dutch musical innovation both on and off stage, over 150,000 visitors enjoyed the 212 Photography Istanbul, that included various Dutch photographers. In the course of the year, over 1,200 professionals were trained or engaged through workshops, panels, and masterclasses.

The 2024 cultural initiatives not only celebrated a century of friendship but also reinforced the Netherlands’ position as a global leader in cultural diplomacy. We continued to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing particularly on quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10), but also sustainable communities (SDG11).  Through a dynamic year of collaboration, we showcased the transformative power of art, music, and cultural exchange.