Cultural Venues
Prepared by: Simge Akkaş, Yağmur Saygılı and Elif Yazıcı Gümüşbıçak
Photos: Cem Gültekin
Ankara is a city where many artists crossed the road before Istanbul, where many talents were born, and this is not a coincidence. The art loving community of Ankara creates a platform for many artists to bloom. For this reason, we recommend that you watch at least one performance while you are here for a real Ankara experience. Ankara is often referred to as a “boring city of civil servants”. While the “boring” part does not apply at all, the city does have a high population of “civil servants”. Take a look at the list below and you will realize that most of the art venues in this city belong to the state.
Photos: Cem Gültekin
Ankara is a city where many artists crossed the road before Istanbul, where many talents were born, and this is not a coincidence. The art loving community of Ankara creates a platform for many artists to bloom. For this reason, we recommend that you watch at least one performance while you are here for a real Ankara experience. Ankara is often referred to as a “boring city of civil servants”. While the “boring” part does not apply at all, the city does have a high population of “civil servants”. Take a look at the list below and you will realize that most of the art venues in this city belong to the state.
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CSO Ada
CSO Ada, which takes its name from the abbreviation of the music ensemble known as the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, is the most modern stage in Ankara. CSO Ada, which hosts many important concerts, exhibitions and shows, is also located right next to the first CSO building built in 1947. -
Cer Modern
Built in 1926-27 as a traction workshop for the repair of wagons next to the Ankara Historical Train Station, the hangar buildings lost their function when new workshops were built. The hangars, which had been idle for a long time, were recently renovated and expanded with additional structures to create Ankara's first modern exhibition space. -
Grand Theater/State Opera and Ballet
The State Opera and Ballet in Ulus, also known as the Grand Theater, was built as an Exhibition House between 1933-34. Initially, the building was used as an exhibition hall, true to its name. -
Küçük Theater/Chamber Theater
Located in Ulus, Küçük (Small) Theater is the last remaining example of two apartment buildings built in Ulus in the 1920s to solve Ankara's housing problem. In this respect, the building is a good example to see the national architectural understanding of that period. -
Kült Kavaklıdere
Located on Tunalı Hilmi Street, Kült Kavaklıdere is one of the most popular cultural venues in Ankara in recent years.