Istancool festival 2011

The international festival of culture, Istancool, will once again host cultural figures from Turkey and around the world between May 27 and 29.

The festival will open Friday at the Vakko Fashion Center while the festival venues will include the Pera Museum and the Tophane-i Amire Cultural and Artistic Center.

The artistic programme will aim to captivate and open minds.

After the great success of Istancool 2010, the global British cultural diplomacy brand Liberatum in association with Istanbul’74 and AnOther Magazine will host the second edition of this prestigious art, design, fashion, film, music, literature and architecture festival from 27-29 May 2011. The festival founder and artistic director, Pablo Ganguli is collaborating with Demet Muftuoglu who is the creative head of the festival in Turkey.

Istancool is a fascinating and unique cultural experience bringing together some of the world’s most talented writers, designers, editors, actors, poets, filmmakers, dancers and musicians to the city of Istanbul. The festival is committed to creating a dynamic arts diplomacy programme in the world and forging greater cultural relations between Turkey and the international artistic community.

A number of international participants are expected at this year’s edition, including Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton and director Terry Gilliam, the producer of films like “Brazil,” “12 Monkeys” and “Fear and Nothing in Las Vegas” who is famous for his animation work with the groundbreaking British comedy series Monty Python over 40 years ago.

Also attending are Michael Stipe, the soloist of REM; Kirsten Dunst, who is known for her role in films like “Spider Man,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and Melancholia, for which she won the Best Actress Award at the 64th Cannes Film Festival last weekend; British director, photographer and conceptual artist Sam Taylor-Wood; French fashion brand Givenchy’s creative director Riccardo Tisci; designer Haider Ackermann and musician Courtney Love.

From Turkey, actress Serra Yılmaz, director Reha Erdem and writer Murathan Mungan will deliver speeches at the event.

For more info : www.istancool.com.tr