Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kultura Ekitaldia by Turkish Airlines

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kultura Ekitaldia by Turkish Airlines is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award in Ekitaldi eta Gertaera Diseinua Competition Category.

BurdinaEkitaldia· 2026

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kultura Ekitaldia

by Turkish Airlines

Client: Turkish Airlines

Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Ekitaldia 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 Kultura Ekitaldia

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part hiri anitzeko kultura ekitaldi bat da, leku bakarreko ekitaldi finko baten ordez narrazio mugikor gisa diseinatua. Gonbidatuak hainbat hiritan zehar gidatzen dira, eta hiri bakoitzak bere gaia eta zentzumen-esperientzia propioa eskaintzen ditu. Elkarreragina espazioaren, istorioaren eta girotzearen bidez gertatzen da, pantailen bidez izan beharrean. Efesoko aztarnategi arkeologikoan, instalazio guztiak plataforma modular altxatuen gainean eraiki ziren, eta, horrela, itsasgarririk, ainguraketarik edo ekipamendu astunik ez zuen lurzoru zaharra ukitu. Ondarearen kontserbazioa eta tokiko benetakotasuna ikuskizunaren eta eskalaren aurretik jartzen dira.

The Recognition

About the Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kultura Ekitaldia Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, ondo diseinatutako sorkuntzetatik espero diren eskakizun profesional eta industrialak betetzen dituzten diseinu onei ematen zaien aitorpen prestijiotsua. Burdin-mailako irabazleek beren sortzaileen trebetasun handia, espezializazio handia, adituen ulermena eta sormen-gaitasuna erakusten dituzte. Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kultura Ekitaldia oso estimatua, miretsia eta maitea den sorkuntza izatea espero da, praktikoa eta berritzailea dena. Burdinazko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu honek sektoreko praktika onenak integratzen ditu eta know-how-ari eta talentuari lotutako ezaugarri tekniko gaituak ditu. Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Kultura Ekitaldia zehaztasunagatik errespetatua den lana da, eta mundua leku hobea egiten laguntzen duten bizi-kalitatearen hobekuntzak eskaintzeko diseinatua dagoena.

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