Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Evento Cultural by Turkish Airlines

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Evento Cultural by Turkish Airlines is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Ferro in Deseño de Eventos e Acontecementos Competition Category.

FerroEvento· 2026

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Evento Cultural

by Turkish Airlines

Client: Turkish Airlines

A' Design Award de Ferro Winner in Evento Category

7,473

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 Evento Cultural

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part é un evento cultural multicidade deseñado como unha narrativa en movemento en lugar dun evento fixo nun único lugar. Os convidados son guiados a través de varias cidades, e cada cidade ofrece o seu propio tema e experiencia sensorial. A interacción prodúcese a través do espazo, a historia e o escenario en lugar das pantallas. No sitio arqueolóxico de Éfeso, todas as instalacións construíronse sobre plataformas modulares elevadas, de xeito que ningún adhesivo, ancoraxe ou equipamento pesado tocou o chan antigo. A preservación do patrimonio e a autenticidade local sitúanse por diante do espectáculo e da escala.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Ferro

Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Evento Cultural gañou o A' Design Award de Ferro, un recoñecemento prestixioso outorgado a bos deseños que cumpren os requisitos profesionais e industriais esperados de creacións ben deseñadas. Os gañadores Ferro demostran a gran habilidade, a alta especialización, a comprensión experta e a capacidade creativa dos seus creadores. Espérase que Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Evento Cultural sexa unha creación moi apreciada, admirada e querida que é práctica e innovadora. Este deseño gañador do A' Design Award de Ferro integra as mellores prácticas do sector e ten características técnicas competentes ligadas ao saber facer e ao talento. Connect To Turkiye Aegean Part Evento Cultural é respectado pola súa minuciosidade e está deseñado para proporcionar melloras na calidade de vida que axudan a facer do mundo un lugar mellor.

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