With the thought in mind to transform Mardin into a center of modern art, the 1st Mardin Biennial was held between June 4 and July 5 2010. The Biennial venues were selected from among the unique historical architectural structures of the city and in places where its inhabitants mingled. The city that abounds in historical, cultural and geographical riches, became for the first time a venue of such an intense and different encounter with contemporary artists. Artistic events that were embraced by this city of such immense historical past soon attained a lasting place in the culture and art map of the world. Thanks to the 1st Biennial Mardin witnessed new encounters and will continue to witness many more to come. The Biennial paved the way for an exchange of views among local and international artists and prominent international art centers. The biennial was a multilateral platform for cultural encounters.
Mardin Biennial’s objective is to bring momentum to the city through art, artists, academicians, students and people from different cultures, to create new mediums of sharing art and to bring new dimensions to the definition of art “center”, and last but not least, to place Mardin at the center of artistic venues through a series of important exhibitions.
The second of the Mardin Biennial, the first of which was held in June 2010, was held between September 21-October 21, 2012 with the cooperation of the GAP Administration, Mardin Governorship, Prime Ministry Promotion Fund and the private sector. The third one was held between May 15 and June 15, 2015 by the Mardin Cinema Association and with the support of the private sector. The 4th Mardin Biennial will take place between 04 May – 04 June 2018.