International Ankara Jazz Festival

The International Ankara Jazz Festival began in 1996 with the name of METU Jazz Days. This cultural and art activity that has grown and developed over years, has become one of the most important festivals of Ankara.

The festival, curated by Özlem Oktar Varoğlu, brings jazz breezes to Ankara with thousands of followers every May. The theme changing from year to year gives a dynamic identity to the festival. While the foreign groups are provided opportunities to promote their own culture and music during the festival, many local artists are featured and Turkish jazz musicians are supported at the same time.

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The International Ankara Jazz Festival began in 1996 with the name of METU Jazz Days. This cultural and art activity that has grown and developed over years, has become one of the most important festivals of Ankara.

The festival, curated by Özlem Oktar Varoğlu, brings jazz breezes to Ankara with thousands of followers every May. The theme changing from year to year gives a dynamic identity to the festival. While the foreign groups are provided opportunities to promote their own culture and music during the festival, many local artists are featured and Turkish jazz musicians are supported at the same time.

The festival takes place in a wide variety of venues, including lounge and outdoor concerts, club concerts, jam sessions, workshops and interviews.

Festival ticket revenues are transferred to the Jazz Association scholarship fund, contributing to students who want to graduate in jazz music field.

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