THE FESTIVAL BRINGING HISTORIC CITIES TOGETHER IS 10 YEARS OLD!

Antalya, the shining pearl of the Mediterranean, is a unique city with roots stretching back to ancient times. With its natural beauty and warm hospitality, it welcomes over 17 million visitors each year. Nestled in the heart of the city, Kaleiçi offers a magical atmosphere, blending the past with the present in its narrow streets surrounded by ancient walls. Bearing the traces of civilizations from the Kingdom of Pergamon to Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire, this area greets its visitors like an open-air museum with its monumental structures and examples of civil architecture.

In 2016, we launched the International Kaleiçi Old Town Festival with the goal of bringing together Kaleiçi—a living historic city that has hosted countless civilizations for centuries, connecting the past with the present and the present with the future, and a destination unmatched anywhere in the world—with historic cities across the globe, while introducing Kaleiçi’s unique cultural heritage and historical fabric to the world.

To date, our festival has welcomed 120 historic cities from three continents, earning its place among the world’s leading festivals in this field. Through the Old Town Forum held as part of the festival, we address the challenges facing historic cities, share inspiring examples of best practices, and amplify the voices of these cities on a global stage. Together, we develop joint projects and build bridges of friendship and peace.

The International Kaleiçi Old Town Festival, a celebration of friendship, peace, history, and cultural heritage, will take place for the tenth time this year from October 9 to 12.

We have worked tirelessly to reach this milestone. Together, we have forged bonds of brotherhood with historic cities from every corner of the world.

In the words of the great poet Nazım Hikmet:

"To live like a tree, alone and free, and like a forest in brotherhood"

This is the message we wish to share with the entire world—our greatest passion and purpose.

We take pride in safeguarding historical heritage, celebrating cultural diversity, and uniting humanity, and we share this pride with you. We hope to reach many more decades and festivals together.

Ümit Uysal
Mayor of Muratpaşa, Antalya