Events
Since 1992, Yapı Kredi Culture, Arts, and Publications has been hosting public programs that began with the “Tuesday Sessions”—an event series that quickly became a Beyoğlu classic. These gatherings bring together art lovers who seek in-depth conversations on culture, art, and literature. From film to theater, visual arts to graphic design, photography to archaeology—our events span nearly every field that reflects life. They address topics that resonate with both broad audiences and niche communities, inviting readers not only to read between the lines but also to venture beyond them. Our programs include workshops, contemporary art and history discussions, and conversations on archaeology and photography—each exploring diverse branches of art and culture. Every year, over 200 events dedicated to culture, the arts, and especially literature are presented to the public at the Koç University Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations .
Portiko Readings and Performances
Alongside its exhibition program, Yapı Kredi Gallery is launching a public program series at the building’s entrance, Portiko, which opens onto Istiklal Street.
“Portiko Readings and Performances” thrives at the intersection of street and building, public space and institution. It spans a wide range of disciplines, including art, science, psychology, anthropology, economics, political theory, literature, and poetry. The program centers on two main themes: creating a dialogue between contemporary performance art and the street while examining the act of reading aloud and the practice of attentive listening. Performance artists are invited to Portiko for their works that engage with architecture and public space. Meanwhile, the reading program features texts written or inspired by artists, authors, poets, editors, researchers, and cultural practitioners. Portiko embraces reading as a performative act, offering a space for diverse and plural interpretations of a text.
The reading program is deeply rooted in the publishing tradition of Yapı Kredi Culture Arts and Publishing, which dates back to 1945. It follows a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing both books and the cultural magazines “cogito”, “kitap-lık” and “Sanat Dünyamız”. Acknowledging Istanbul’s multilingual culture, Portiko aims to engage both long-time and new residents of the city as its audience. It invites visitors of Yapı Kredi Museum, Gallery, YKY Beyoğlu Bookstore, in addition to passersby on Istiklal Street, to pause and take a brief break from the daily rush.
Launched by the Yapı Kredi Gallery team, the series will also host cultural workers from Germany, who will visit Istanbul as part of the artist residency program in collaboration with Tarabya Cultural Academy. Portiko will welcome its audience once a month, typically on Wednesdays at 18:30.
Program curators: Didem Yazıcı, Zehra Begüm Kışla
Supporters: Tarabya Cultural Academy
Technics: Aykut Yılmaz, Koray Şentürk