It is a pleasure to present this Spring Summer 2026 edition of our cultural newsletter.

We have barely started this year and already now I can see Dutch–Turkish cultural collaboration growing in both depth and relevance. From exchanges between institutions such as Amsterdam Eye Filmmuseum and Istanbul Modern to projects like Stories of Migration, these initiatives bring together artistic quality and meaningful societal engagement. The exhibition Iron People by Jelle Krings, portraying Ukraine’s railway network as the nation’s lifeline during wartime, was a particularly powerful example of art as a reflection of both harsh realities and hopeful resilience.

In line with the International Cultural Policy Framework 2025–2028, our focus remains on sustainable partnerships, reciprocity and dialogue. This is reflected in a wide-ranging programme from April to July across Türkiye, including exhibitions such as Breaking Through a Dam and The Hard Edge of the Labour of Time, as well as collaborations in music, film, design and performing arts.

I am particularly pleased that many of these activities are accessible to a broad audience—from children’s theatre projects reaching rural communities to public concerts, festivals and museum programs that invite participation and exchange.

I warmly invite you to explore the programme and experience these collaborations firsthand.

Daan Huisinga
Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Istanbul

View the newsletter here:

Bridging Cultures, Bridging Futures: Dutch Cultural Collaborations in Turkiye Spring-Summer 2026