Under the title Midas Touch, this year’s Mahalla Festival is calling for a confrontation with the dystopian reality of a growth-based global economy that ignores the threats of climate change, increasing international armed conflicts and forced migration.

Parallel to the 18th Istanbul Art Biennial, the Istanbul-based association Diyalog is organizing the festival program in the categories of fine arts, performance, film, video, music and poetry at the Büyük Valide Han.

The term Midas Touch originates from the ancient Greek myth of King Midas. According to it, Midas was awarded by the god Dionysus for hosting his godfather in his famous paradise like garden with natural food, singing and poetry. However, Midas diminished the beauty and abilities around him, when he wished for everything, he touched to turn into gold. Soon he realized that this gift was a curse. Upon discovering that his touch turned food, drink, and even his daughter into gold, he regretted his wish and cursed it.

Mahalla calls for transforming and converting Midas Touch metaphorically. A call to materialize ideas, dreams, memories into artistic expression as nutrition for the unbroken spirit of resilience. Its value might be melting toxic motions of greed, dominance, exclusion and exploitation or exploring and dismantling these motions and dynamics. The primary focus is on a reflection of global power structures, the alteration of gender roles, an awareness of a world in need of environmental protection as a priority, the enhancement of resilience, and the development of collaborative artistic endeavours. New narratives will emerge by connected practices of artists from different regions and backgrounds.

Mahalla Midas Touch is dedicated to give a voice to the vulnerable, excluded, unseen and to revert vulnerability into strength. Questioning narratives appears through individual, collaborative and corresponding artistic works in a historical Set-up in Istanbul inviting for site-site-specific interventions.

Social and geographical boundaries, gender roles, and the exploiting of nature create dystopian environments that call for rethinking. Reflecting diverse narrative styles or inventing fresh tales is one of the primary objectives. The artists are free to use any artistic form or style. Innovative interpretations of the leitmotif are appreciated.

Press Kit Midas Touch 2025