One of İzmir’s longest-running cultural and artistic events, the International Izmir Festival, returned for its 39th edition in 2026. Held from June 4 to July 8, 2026, the festival brought together classical music, chamber music, opera, jazz influences and film music, transforming some of İzmir’s most remarkable venues into international stages.

Organized by the Izmir Foundation for Culture, Arts and Education (İKSEV), the festival stands out for presenting performances not only in traditional concert halls but also at historic landmarks across İzmir and its surroundings.

The 2026 program featured venues including the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Center, Ancient Agora of Smyrna, Library of Celsus and Çeşme Castle, creating a unique dialogue between centuries-old cultural heritage and contemporary live performance.

International Artists Take the Stage in İzmir

The 39th International Izmir Festival welcomed prominent musicians and ensembles from Türkiye and around the world.

The festival opened on June 4 at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Center with Spanish guitar virtuoso Pablo Sainz-Villegas and the Festival Chamber Orchestra in a concert titled “The Mediterranean Soul of Music.”

The program continued with performances by Germany’s Notos Quartett, France’s Quatuor Magenta, trumpet virtuosos Matthias Höfs and Tolga Bilgin, harpist Şirin Pancaroğlu, and pan flute artist Michel Tirabosco.

One of the festival’s highlights took place on June 23 at the Library of Celsus. The concert, titled “Italian Sounds – Bel Canto and Romanticism,” featured soprano Anna Cimmarrusti and Sara Minieri, tenor Lorenzo Martelli, baritone Giulio Ricco and pianist Alessandro Zilioli.

Against the magnificent backdrop of ancient Ephesus, the musicians performed works by some of the greatest names in Italian opera, including Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini and Verdi.

Different Musical Worlds Meet at One Festival

The International Izmir Festival was not limited to traditional classical music.

On June 17, “Around The World” brought together trumpeters Matthias Höfs and Tolga Bilgin in a program combining classical music and jazz. The repertoire ranged from Mozart and Bach to Astor Piazzolla, Michel Legrand and Kurt Weill, reflecting the festival’s ambition to connect different musical traditions.

Another distinctive project followed on June 18 with “Earth and Sky – Breath of the Reed, Echo of the String: A Mythological Encounter.”

Featuring Michel Tirabosco on pan flute and Şirin Pancaroğlu on harp, the performance created a musical dialogue inspired by mythology and the contrasting sounds of two ancient instruments.

On June 29, Polish violinist Agata Szymczewska, accompanied by pianist Wojciech Szymczewski, performed a program dedicated to works by Polish composers at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Center.

A Hans Zimmer Finale at Çeşme Castle

The festival concluded with one of its most cinematic events.

On July 8, 2026, the historic Çeşme Castle hosted La Chapelle Sauvage, conducted by Belgian conductor Karel De Wilde, for a concert dedicated to the music of world-renowned film composer Hans Zimmer.

Featuring soprano Louise Kuyvenhoven, “An Epic Journey Under the Stars” brought Zimmer’s powerful cinematic soundscapes to one of the Aegean coast’s most atmospheric historical settings.

The combination of film music, historic architecture and the open-air setting provided a memorable finale to the 39th International Izmir Festival.

İzmir’s Historic Landmarks Become Concert Stages

One of the defining characteristics of the International Izmir Festival is its strong relationship with the region’s cultural heritage.

Throughout its history, the festival has staged performances at remarkable locations such as the Ancient Theatre of Ephesus, Ephesus Odeon, Asklepion of Pergamon, Metropolis Ancient City, Kadifekale, Sığacık Castle and Ayavukla Church.

The festival is also a member of the European Festivals Association (EFA), strengthening its connection with the wider European cultural and artistic community.

In 2026, this tradition continued as the Ancient Agora, Library of Celsus and Çeşme Castle became part of the festival experience, allowing audiences to discover music while surrounded by thousands of years of history.

39th International Izmir Festival – 2026 Program Highlights

An International Contribution to İzmir’s Cultural Identity

For nearly four decades, the International Izmir Festival has played an important role in bringing internationally acclaimed artists to the Aegean city while showcasing İzmir’s extraordinary historical and cultural heritage.

From modern concert halls to ancient archaeological sites, and from classical masterpieces to contemporary film music, the festival creates a cultural journey that extends far beyond a conventional concert experience.

By transforming locations such as the Ancient Agora, Library of Celsus and Çeşme Castle into performance spaces, the 39th International Izmir Festival once again demonstrated how music can connect different eras, cultures and artistic traditions.

For visitors, the festival offers more than a series of concerts: it is an opportunity to experience İzmir’s history, architecture and Mediterranean identity through music and art.