Liu Ding and Carol Yinghua Lu Appointed Curators for 19th Istanbul Biennial
The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts has officially selected artist Liu Ding and art historian Carol Yinghua Lu to lead curatorial efforts for the upcoming nineteenth edition of the Istanbul Biennial.
Link: Artforum
Turkey Unveils Steep Tax Cuts Focused on Istanbul Financial Center
Turkey has recently introduced significant tax reductions intended to enhance market competitiveness and attract foreign investment. The new incentive structure includes a zero corporate income tax rate on transit trade, strategically targeting companies operating within the Istanbul Financial Center.
Link: Reuters
The Kültür Medeniyet Vakfı (KÜME) inaugurated the "ArtıKÜME 2025" and "ODAK" exhibitions at the historic Karaköy Palace in Istanbul. The artistic event uniquely blends heritage restoration with contemporary art, aiming to project the artist's voice through carefully curated visual displays situated within one of the city's most notable architectural landmarks.
Source: Daily Sabah
Istanbul, previously identified as a favored refuge for Australian organized crime figures, has recently seen a strict shift in its law enforcement approach. A legal challenge involving a Sydney-based gangster revealed the operational details of a significant police sting, demonstrating how Turkish authorities systematically dismantled the networks that previously allowed foreign fugitives to operate within the city limits.
Türkiye is actively preparing to boost its tourism sector with the anticipated return of Formula 1 to Istanbul in 2027. Officials, including Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, project that the global motorsport event will attract high-spending international visitors, thereby generating substantial tourism revenue and significantly enhancing the city's promotional profile on a global scale.
Source: Hurriyet Daily News
Operations on Istanbul's M7 Yıldız–Mahmutbey metro line experienced significant disruptions following a technical issue caused by an increase in underground water flow near a rail switch between the Mecidiyeköy and Çağlayan stations. Metro Istanbul authorities initiated immediate inspections and track repairs. During the maintenance period, officials implemented temporary service adjustments, including alternative transport measures such as free IETT bus transfers between Nurtepe and Mecidiyeköy, to safely accommodate commuters.
Source: Türkiye Today
In the Samatya neighborhood of Istanbul's Fatih district, locals and visitors are engaging with Western culture at a newly opened cowboy-themed coffeehouse. Managed by actor Cengiz Guclu, the establishment offers an immersive experience into the aesthetic and atmosphere of the American Wild West. Patrons gathered in mid-April to participate in this unique cultural convergence within Türkiye's largest city.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı
