Şanlıurfa (Urfa 0414)

Şanlıurfa is a city with 482,323 inhabitants (2009 estimate). The history of Şanlıurfa is recorded from the 4th century BC, but may date back to the 9000 BC. The old town is one of the most evocative and romantic in Turkey, whilst the new parts have all modern amenities. Modern Şanlıurfa has many ethnically Kurdish residents and Kurdish is widely spoken. Urfa is regarded in Turkish popular sentiment as being (second only to Konya) the most devout in Turkey and it is a stronghold of the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP).

In the STGM database a total of 76 NGO’s was listed of which 5 were dedicated to education and youth, 5 to culture and 0 to arts.

Harran University

Harran University was founded in 1976 and, apart from departments in music and art education, its arts faculty has departments in painting, sculpture and graphic design.

Events and organizations that are relevant for art and culture in Şanlıurfa are:

-          local independent theatre group Urfa Art Theatre

-          Şanlıurfa International Culture and Art Week