Prof. Dr. Serkan Bertan, Dean of PAU Faculty of Tourism, announced that Denizli will participate in the Turkey on the Cultural Road Festival, which will be held in 2027 under the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Launched in 2021, these Cultural Road Festivals contribute to the promotion of cities, increase the business volume of local enterprises, provide opportunities for social interaction, and strengthen regional development and tourism diversity. The 2027 festivals will take place in Balıkesir, Denizli, Hatay, Kocaeli, Muğla, and Tekirdağ.

Dean Bertan outlined the plans to maximize Denizli’s brand value and visitor experience during the 9-day Denizli Cultural Road Festival in 2027:

Day 1 (Saturday): Festival opening, promotional activities, and cultural presentations (photo and art exhibitions, etc.)

Day 2 (Sunday): Exhibitions, workshops, art workshops, and gastronomy workshops to engage participants

Day 3: Concerts and exhibitions, regional music performances, art talks to create a cultural atmosphere

Day 4: Theater and performance arts, dance shows, and stage performances to increase cultural diversity

Day 5: Workshops and educational activities for participant engagement, including creative education and children’s events

Day 6: Concerts, talks, academic discussions, and artist meetings for cultural interaction

Day 7: Ballet, opera, concerts, and performance arts for the festival summit

Day 8: Workshops and shows, cultural tours and activities to maintain participation

Day 9: Grand concert, closing show, and performance arts

Daily activities will be divided into three time slots: workshops, education, and children’s events from 10:00–12:00; talks and cultural activities from 13:00–17:00; and concerts and performances from 18:00–22:00. Participants will also take guided tours of Denizli’s tourism values via the Denizli Audio Guide (https://seslirehber.pau.edu.tr/).

Information will be provided about Halime Özke (Beyağaç) and Hayri Dev (Living Human Treasures). Activities, workshops, and talks will cover Intangible Cultural Heritage elements such as Sudan Sheep Crossing (Çal), Eren Day Celebrations (Beyağaç), Knife Making, Yatağan Palace (Serinhisar), Pottery, Jug and Cup Making (Serinhisar), Terracotta (Tavas), Buldan Cloth Weaving, Tel Kırma, Pine Whistle-Sipsi Making, Yeşilyuva Shoemaking (Acıpayam), Çeşm-i Bülbül, Glass, Kızılcabölük Weaving, Çameli Kilim, Kolan, Tavas Zeybek Dance, and Keşkek.

Gastronomy workshops on local flavors will be organized according to the Denizli gastronomy map (https://seslirehber.pau.edu.tr/). The Çal vineyard route will also be included in the festival.

Ancient cities such as Hierapolis, Laodicea, Tripolis, Tabae, and Attouda will host film screenings as impressive venues. Historical bazaars will host traditional weaving workshops, children’s cultural workshops, and activities highlighting registered city values. Exhibitions and workshops on handicrafts and gastronomy will allow participants to experience traditional arts. Open-air theater festivals and traditional folk dance performances will be organized.

A Hop-on Hop-off route will connect Karahayıt – Pamukkale-Hierapolis Site – Kocaçukur – Laodicea – Denizli City Museum – Atatürk and Ethnography Museum – Babadağlılar Bazaar – Bayramyeri Square – Gazi Primary School – Denizli Rooster Glass Sculpture – Republic Museum and Republic Education Museum – Observation Hill – Cable Car/Bağbaşı Plateau, with cultural stops along tourism sites. Digital Cultural Road QR-coded panels will be installed at tourism locations within the Denizli Audio Guide Mobile App. A digital promotional platform will be created to improve access to tourist information.

Activities, workshops, and talks will feature geographically indicated products, including Babadağ Thyme Honey, Buldan Chestnut, Denizli Thyme, Denizli Çalkarası Grape, Honaz Cherry, Kale Pepper, Çameli Beans, İsabey Seedless Grape, Kızılhisar Glass, Buldan Cloth, Çameli Apple Cloth, Çameli Kilim, Denizli Roasted Chickpeas, Tavas Baklava, Tavas Burnt Sheep Yogurt, Acıpayam Melon, Acıpayam Çakır Carrot, Alaaddin Ceremony Stew, Avşar Grapes, Bozkurt Muhacir Bread, Denizli Butter, Honaz Paradise Apple, Dried Honaz Paradise Apple, Çameli Walnut, Çameli Leğen Pastry, Çameli Meneviş Yogurt, Tavas Bellows Shoes.

Historical buildings will be evaluated as experience-focused thematic living museums (e.g., KUDEP building as Denizli Gastronomy Museum). The festival will create authentic, living streets and squares. The Cheese Bazaar will be designed as a cultural bazaar; Babadağlılar Bazaar for shopping tourism, and the Historical Kaleiçi Bazaar for cultural festival purposes, featuring cultural products. Photo spots for the Denizli Cultural Road Festival will also be created for visitors.