In every field of art in Şişli: ‘We are Şişli’ begins.

The “We are Şişli” event series organized by the Şişli Municipality aims to highlight the unifying power of cultural diversity in the district, which is notable for its multilingual, multicultural, and multi-religious structure. It will start with a concert featuring Kardeş Türküler, Katerina Papadopoulou, Kyriaksos Tapakis, and Lena at Maçka Democracy Park on September 1st, World Peace Day. The We are Şişli event series aims to introduce Şişli’s historical texture, multicultural heritage, and the experience of living together to the entire city, country, and world.

“We are Şişli” aims to carry Şişli’s unique cosmopolitan structure, historical and cultural riches from yesterday to today and from today to tomorrow. Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan stated that they aim to highlight the unifying aspect of differences, not the divisive one, with the event series that will start in September and continue until June. He said, “Şişli has a very important place within Istanbul’s multilayered cultural structure. With the ‘We are Şişli’ event series, we want to step out of our homes, streets, and neighborhoods, crossing the bridges we build with the language of peace, embark on a journey of ‘following the traces of the past, dreaming of the future,’ listen to the voices rising from all corners of Şişli, elevate dialogue, open doors, and strengthen our neighborhood ties.”

Works by artists and artisans from Şişli will meet with large audiences.

Events in areas such as music, cinema, theater, architecture, and gastronomy will be organized each month under a different thematic title. Additionally, artists and artisans living in Şişli will have the opportunity to showcase their work within the framework of these events.

The “We are Şişli” event series aims to turn a wide range of areas from schools to parks, places of worship to streets in Şişli into meeting spaces. “We aim to reach the cultures of all our citizens living in Şişli and the common cultural heritage created by the residents of Şişli to the broadest audiences. At the same time, we want these cultures, which come together under the umbrella of ‘Şişlililik,’ to get to know each other more closely. We are achieving this by meeting with the foundations, associations, religious representatives, and opinion leaders of all communities living in our district, together with the widest stakeholder group,” Şahan said, emphasizing their desire to celebrate diversity as a richness and highlight the importance of the benefits of living together.

With events framed around a theme each month, the multicultural structure of Şişli will reach a wide audience with local and international participants until June. The event series will kick off with a concert featuring Kardeş Türküler, Katerina Papadopoulou, Kyriaksos Tapakis, and Lena at Maçka Democracy Park on September 1st, World Peace Day.

Within the program, concerts, film screenings, theater and dance performances, tours, cultural excursions, panels, discussions, performances, gastronomy events, exhibitions, workshops, and carnivals will be organized in both indoor and outdoor venues. These events, blending traditional and modern elements, will announce Şişli’s multicultural structure and policy of living together to all citizens through the means of art.