Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. ANTAKYA: The Europe Tour 2026, organized by the 13th Antakya International Film Festival, was successfully completed between 19–26 June 2026 with a series of film screenings, cultural gatherings, and official meetings held in the German cities of Hannover, Delmenhorst, Osnabrück, and Aalen.
Throughout the tour, the festival delegation introduced Antakya's thousands-of-years-old cultural heritage, its determination to rebuild after the devastating earthquakes of 6 February 2023, and the unifying power of cinema to audiences and partner institutions across Europe.
Hannover; The first stop of the tour was Hannover, where the festival delegation was welcomed by Hasan Savaşır, President of the local association. During the meeting, the international vision of the Antakya International Film Festival was discussed, and Mr. Savaşır expressed his association's commitment to continuing its support for the festival's activities.
Delmenhorst; In Delmenhorst, the film screening and discussion program was hosted by the Eastern Mediterranean Alevis Association. Its President, Şahabettin Altunkaya, emphasized the importance of the festival's mission to preserve Antakya's cultural memory and affirmed the association's continued support for the festival.
The screening was marked by emotional moments as participants reflected on Antakya's recovery following the earthquake. They shared the following message:
"We will continue to stand by Antakya and support our city."
Osnabrück; In Osnabrück, a local cultural event and film screening were hosted by Wir in Atter e.V. Association. Its President, Refik Karagöz, stated that the association fully supports the festival's cultural initiatives and looks forward to continuing this cooperation in future editions.
Aalen; The final stop of the Europe Tour was Aalen, where Vecdi Temizkan, President of Kulturclub Antakya-Aalen e.V., expressed the association's full support for the festival's international activities and reaffirmed its commitment to future collaboration.
As part of the Aalen program, an official meeting was also held with representatives of the City of Aalen.
The meeting was attended by:
Roland Hamm – Former Member of the Aalen City Council and Coordinator of the Aalen–Antakya Sister City Partnership Frau Michaela Blank – Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Aalen Nihal Büyükaşık – Honorary Interpreter of the City of Aalen Vecdi Temizkan – President, Kulturclub Antakya-Aalen e.V. Mahmut Usluoğlu – Board Member, Kulturclub Antakya-Aalen e.V. Mehmet Oflazoğlu – Founder and Festival Director, Antakya International Film Festival During the meeting, participants discussed potential cooperation between the Antakya International Film Festival, the City of Aalen, and Kulturclub Antakya-Aalen e.V., including joint cultural projects, film screenings, artistic collaborations, and future international events. They also exchanged ideas on strengthening the cultural dimension of the sister-city relationship between Antakya and Aalen through collaborative projects across Europe.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to expanding cultural cooperation and developing long-term partnerships.
Statement by Festival Director Mehmet Oflazoğlu
Following the completion of Europe Tour 2026, Mehmet Oflazoğlu, Founder and Festival Director of the Antakya International Film Festival, stated:
"Europe Tour 2026 was far more than a series of film screenings. It was an opportunity to share Antakya's cultural memory, its resilience, and the unifying power of cinema with our friends across Europe. At every stop, we met institutions, volunteers, and communities committed to preserving Antakya's story and strengthening cultural solidarity. We believe these new partnerships will significantly contribute to our vision of establishing Antakya as a meeting point for cultural dialogue, co-production, and creative collaboration between Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East."
An Important Step for Cultural Diplomacy
The Europe Tour 2026 made a significant contribution to promoting Antakya's cultural heritage internationally, drawing attention to the city's post-earthquake recovery process, and strengthening sustainable cultural partnerships with institutions across Europe.
The festival delegation expressed its sincere gratitude to all host associations, volunteers, participants, and supporting organizations for their warm hospitality and valuable contributions. The delegation also emphasized its belief that the cultural bridge established between Europe and Antakya will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.
The Antakya International Film Festival will continue its international cultural diplomacy efforts under its motto:
"Bringing Cultures Together, Building Bridges Through Stories."