The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1973 by fourteen businessmen who gathered under the leadership of Dr. Nejat F. Eczacibasi with the aim of organising an international arts festival in Istanbul. The Foundations initial goal was to offer the finest examples of art from around the world, while at the same time promoting Turkish national, cultural and artistic assets by using arts to create an international platform of communication. The first International Istanbul Festival, organized in 1973 on the 50th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Turkish Republic, covered a period of one and a half months and focused mainly on classical music. Soon after, it included other artistic fields in its programme such as film screenings, theatre productions, jazz and ballet performances, and art exhibitions held in historic venues. As public interest grew, groups of events organized in different artistic disciplines gradually evolved into distinct festivals. Beginning in 1982, the film week turned into the International Istanbul Film Festival; 1987 marked the beginning of the International Istanbul Biennial; in 1989 the International Istanbul Theatre Festival was initiated, followed by the International Istanbul Jazz Festival in 1994, the same year that the International Istanbul Festival changed its name to the International Istanbul Music Festival. On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts initiated a social responsibility project and founded the Istanbul Friends of Culture and Arts (IFCA) membership programme with the intention of protecting cultural heritage and fostering the development of arts. As the programme gathers art enthusiasts under one roof, it also provides its members a variety of privileges during IKSV-organised events including the Istanbul Festivals. The same year, IKSV made a decision to organise innovative, smaller events in addition to the Istanbul Festivals. This meant that events would spread throughout the year and not be limited to specific periods of time like they had been. Beginning with Filmekimi (a week of film screenings in October) in 2002, IKSV continued to add brand new events to its portfolio such as Phonem by Miller (alternative rock and electronic music performances in November) and Minifest (3 days of childrens activities in the summer) in 2003. In 2006, IKSV took on the management of the bi-annual Leyla Gencer Voice Competition from its 4th edition onward. The Foundation has been committed to bringing together different cultures and contributing to the creation of a platform for multicultural dialogue. In this respect, IKSV organises a series of international festivals in major European cities. This journey began in 2004 with Simdi Now in Berlin and continued with Simdi Stuttgart in 2005 and Turkey Now in Amsterdam and Rotterdam in 2007. Next stops are scheduled for Russia and the Netherlands in 2008 and Vienna, Austria in 2009. IKSV also manages the Pavilion of Turkey at the Venice Biennale since 2007. For its 35th anniversary, IKSV welcomed the originally creative choreographer Maurice Béjart to Istanbul on his 80th birthday. On the occasion of Rumis 800th year of birth, Béjart Ballet Lausanne staged a special performance of Best of Béjart & Rumi in Istanbul. This was a significant engagement for IKSV; celebrating its 35th year with Maurice Béjart before he died the same year was an exceptional honour. 2008 marks a turning point in IKSV history as the headquarters move from its home on the historic Istiklal Street in Beyoglu to another building full of history, Deniz Palas.

Telephone: 90 (212) 334 07 00
Fax: 90 (212) 334 07 16 / 17
Website: http://www.iksv.org/