SAHA is one of the long-term venue supporters of the Pavilion of Türkiye at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia, held between May 20 - November 26, 2023.

The 18th edition of the International Architecture Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia, considered one of the most important architectural events of our time, opens on May 20, 2023. Coordinated by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), the Türkiye Pavilion of the Venice Architecture Biennale this year features the project Ghost Stories: The Sack Theory of Architecture, curated by Sevince Bayrak and Oral Göktaş.

Inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin, Ghost Stories: The Sack Theory of Architecture questions taken-for-granted images and approaches to buildings, suggesting to listen to and understand the stories of abandoned buildings instead of focusing on more spectacular, successful examples. The project aims to reveal promising suggestions for the future through research on how these buildings, which can be considered as "laboratories of the future", can be transformed instead of demolishing or abandoning them to their fate. 

Taking place until November 26 at the Arsenale, one of the main venues of the biennial, the Venice Architecture Biennale Turkey Pavilion is organized by IKSV, with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye. Turkish Airlines supports the Türkiye Pavilion as the airline partner.

About La Biennale di Venezia

Established in 1895, la Biennale di Venezia has for over a century been one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world.

Turkey participated in the International Art Exhibition, la Biennale di Venezia for the first time in 1991 with the personal efforts of Beral Madra, and with the contributions of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Beral Madra was the curator and the commissioner of the exhibitions between 1991 and 2001.

In 2003, the Pavilion of Turkey was initiated with a temporary exhibition space rented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey. The first Pavilion of Turkey curated and commissioned by Beral Madra.

In 2014, on the initiation of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) and with the support of 21 sponsors, including SAHA, Turkey obtained a long-term venue in la Biennale di Venezia. The allotment of 20 years (from 2014 to 2034) at Sale d’Armi, Arsenale, one of the two main venues of the biennial, allowed the Pavilion of Turkey to take part for the first time in the International Architecture Exhibitions.

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