The arts diary

Cornucopia’s choice: Turkey with a twist – the best current shows in Istanbul and around the world

All events

Art

Hale Tenger

Borders/Borders Survey exhibition at AGWA
August 16, 2025 – February 8, 2026 10 am - 5 pm
Australia
Cello & piano recital

Wednesday Classics: Between the Continents
February 11, 2026 20.00
Yeldeğirmeni Sanat Merkezi, Kadıköy, Istanbul
Zorlu Center
February 5, 2026 – February 13, 2026
Zorlu Performing Arts Centre (PSM), Levent, Istanbul
John Dyson's Jazz picks

Asai Khai Jazz Club
February 14, 2026
Asa-Khai Jazz Club, Karaköy, Istanbul
Art

The Lost Dagger of Henry VIII

From Tudor Court to the Victorian Stage
November 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026
Strawberry Hill
Classical Music

Süreyya Opera House highlights
February 1, 2026 – February 28, 2026 20.00
Süreyya Opera House, Moda, Istanbul

Wednesday February 11
Piano music
Mehveş Emeç: ‘A Little Sorrow, A Little Joy’

Mehveş Emeç, one of Turkey’s most famous pianists, is to begin her recital – titled Biraz Hüzün, Biraz Neşe (‘A Little Sorrow, A Little Joy’) – with Bach’s Partita No 2 in C minor. She will then play Mozart’s Piano Sonata No 8 in A minor, K 310, and Schumann’s Faschingsschwank aus Wien (‘Carnival Scenes from Vienna’ or ‘Carnival Jest from Vienna’), Opus 26.

20:00
Tickets from Mobilet
Prices: 572TL (ground floor), 500.50TL (balconies)
Event website
Performance

Bova Jazz Club

Best of Bova, home of modern and improvised jazz, by John Shakespeare Dyson
February 1, 2026 – February 28, 2026 21.30 (doors open 21.00)
Bova Jazz Club, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
John Dyson's Jazz picks

Nardis Jazz Club highlights
February 1, 2026 – February 28, 2026 21.30–23.50
Nardis Jazz Club, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Exhibition

Arif Hikmet Koyunoğlu 1893–1982

The Photography Studio of An Adventurous Architect
June 19, 2025 – May 17, 2026
Istanbul Research Institute, Tepebaşı, Istanbul
Art

Yan Yana (Side by Side)

Melahat and Eşref Üren with Eren and Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu
September 20, 2025 – July 10, 2026
İşbank RHM / İşbank Museum of Painting and Sculpture, Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Exhibition

Rørbye and Bindesbøll: The Journey to Constantinople

An artist and an architect on a voyage
February 5, 2026 – August 23, 2026
David Collection, Denmark
Art

Semiha Berksoy: Aria of All Colours
January 22, 2026 – September 5, 2026
Istanbul Modern, Tophane, Istanbul