Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kulturni događaj by Turkish Airlines

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kulturni događaj by Turkish Airlines is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Željezna nagrada A' Design Award in Dizajn Događaja Competition Category.

ŽeljezoDogađaj· 2026

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kulturni događaj

by Turkish Airlines

Client: Turkish Airlines

Željezna nagrada A' Design Award Winner in Događaj Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #175016

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kulturni događaj

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part je kulturni događaj koji se odvija u više gradova, osmišljen kao pokretna naracija, a ne kao fiksni događaj na jednom mjestu. Gosti se vode kroz nekoliko gradova, a svaki grad nudi vlastitu temu i senzorno iskustvo. Interakcija se odvija kroz prostor, priču i ambijent umjesto putem ekrana. Na arheološkom lokalitetu Efes, sve instalacije izgrađene su na povišenim modularnim platformama, tako da nikakvi ljepkovi, sidra ili teška oprema nisu dotakli drevno tlo. Očuvanje baštine i lokalna autentičnost stavljeni su ispred spektakla i veličine.

The Recognition

About the Željezna nagrada A' Design Award

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kulturni događaj je pobjednik Željezne nagrade A' Design Award, prestižnog priznanja koje se dodjeljuje dobrim dizajnima što ispunjavaju profesionalne i industrijske zahtjeve očekivane od dobro dizajniranih kreacija. Željezni pobjednici pokazuju veliku vještinu, visoku specijalizaciju, stručno razumijevanje i kreativne kapacitete svojih stvaralaca. Očekuje se da Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kulturni događaj bude visoko cijenjena, voljena i njegovana kreacija koja je praktična i inovativna. Ovaj dizajn koji je osvojio Željeznu nagradu A' Design Award integrira najbolje industrijske prakse i ima kompetentne tehničke karakteristike povezane sa znanjem i talentom. Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kulturni događaj se poštuje zbog svoje temeljitosti i dizajniran je da pruži poboljšanja kvaliteta života koja pomažu da svijet postane bolje mjesto.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This project is a multi-city cultural experience designed as a moving narrative rather than a fixed event. What makes it unique is its seamless integration into historical landscapes, use of non-invasive design, and guest flow tailored for emotional impact. It prioritizes heritage preservation, local authenticity, and meaningful interaction over spectacle or scale.
Tags: Turkish Airlines, Cultural event, destination, marketing, experiential design, sustainability, heritage, UNESCO sites, Ephesus, Gala
Production Technology: To ensure the protection of the archaeological heritage of Ephesus, the entire event infrastructure was designed with non-invasive methodologies. All installations—including the stage, exhibition units, and audience areas—were constructed on elevated modular platforms, preventing any direct contact with the ancient ground. The stage design was intentionally compact, respecting the spatial proportions and sightlines of the Agora.

Power distribution was planned with minimal intervention; temporary cabling systems and lightweight, low-impact lighting were used. Materials were selected for their reversibility and minimal environmental footprint—no adhesives, anchors, or heavy equipment touched the original structure.

Logistics, including transportation and setup, followed strict preservation protocols. Each element of the build was prefabricated and assembled onsite with manual labor, avoiding machinery that could compromise the site. The design approach prioritized cultural sensitivity, heritage compliance, and operational safety at every stage.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was designing a large-scale event within protected heritage sites without altering or damaging any historical elements. Navigating local regulations, gaining permits, and aligning with archaeological preservation laws required intense coordination. Balancing cultural authenticity, guest comfort, and logistical feasibility—across five cities—demanded precision, sensitivity, and adaptive creative planning.
Research: Qualitative design research was conducted to explore how experiential travel shapes perception of place and brand. Objectives included measuring emotional engagement in heritage environments. Methods included cultural analysis, field visits, and interviews. Participants were 200+ international guests. Results showed higher recall and emotional affinity. Insights informed the user-centric, mobile event structure, influencing brand perception and sustainable tourism models.
Inspiration: This project was inspired by a desire to showcase Türkiye not through spectacle, but through substance—its landscapes, heritage, and human warmth. Instead of relying on a single venue, we envisioned a multi-location narrative, rooted in authenticity and respect. The concept was informed by cultural research, sustainable practices, and a belief that experiential design can connect people more meaningfully than traditional formats.
Project Duration: The project started in January 2025 with concept development and planning in Istanbul. On-site preparations began in April 2025 across the selected cities. The event was held from May 26 to May 30, 2025, covering Istanbul, Afyonkarahisar, Denizli, İzmir, and Ephesus. It concluded with a gala evening at the Agora of Ephesus on May 29, 2025.
Operation Flow: The project unfolds as a guided cultural journey across multiple cities. Guests move through carefully planned stages—each city offering a unique theme and sensory experience. Interaction happens through space, story, and setting rather than screens. Seamless logistics, local immersion, and meaningful pacing ensure comfort and emotional connection, resulting in stronger memory retention and deeper brand engagement.
Image Credits: All visual and media credits: Turkish Airlines