AGP Executive Report

Turkish Cinema Spotlight: Yesim Ustaoglu’s slow-burn drama What Remains (Artakalan) heads to the festival circuit after premiering at San Sebastián, following an Istanbul couple wrestling with creative and personal collapse. Archaeology & Faith Tourism: Researchers wrapped up a 2026 field season at the boat-shaped Durupınar Formation near Mount Ararat, recovering pottery fragments and nearly 1,000 soil samples as they probe possible links to the Noah’s Ark story. Fashion & Design: Swiss packaging maker Bruno Sonderegger argues physical print and tactile craft still matter, highlighting laser engraving and foil-stamped, brand-first boxes as consumers increasingly value the tangible. Sports (Turkey in Europe): Emlak Konut crushed Panathinaikos 91-68 in EuroLeague Women qualifiers, advancing toward the final qualifying round. Football (Turkey): Victor Osimhen is set for a Galatasaray return after a groin injury, with a timeline pointing to the Oct. 9 match vs Kasımpaşa. Arts & Culture Events: A Turkish coffee and Persian iced tea stop is among the eclectic vendor lineup for a community Library Art and Craft Festival in the U.S., underscoring how arts programming keeps local culture social.

Luxury & Craft: Qatar Tourism will host the 22nd Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (Sept 28–Oct 3) at DECC, with 49+ exhibitors and 500+ brands spotlighting Qatari designers and global luxury watchmaking. Genre Cinema: The 19th Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival (Sept 25–Oct 4) is set to screen around 40 films, including Turkish filmmaker Alphan Eseli’s “Mutter: The Diary of a Mother,” plus an AI-focused retrospective and Eurogenre professional meetings. Film Critics Spotlight: The Arab Critics’ Awards for European Films shortlist is out, featuring 25 European titles and finalists to be named at El Gouna. Turkish Sports & Media Rights: Trabzonspor moves to protect Mohamed Salah’s name and images from unauthorized commercial use after his signing. Inclusive Emergency Planning: Northern Cyprus Civil Defence is working on a portal to help rescue teams identify and evacuate disabled people and others with support needs. Turkiye Zero Waste Push: Emine Erdoğan calls for everyday habit changes as part of the climate fight, citing Turkiye’s Zero Waste gains since 2017. Super Lig/Football Culture: Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis floats a new family-friendly stadium plan and targets “ultra” fan culture. Games Publishing: New Turkish-led publisher PUBLSH launches with “Pera Coda,” a Disco Elysium-inspired episodic murder mystery.

Cyprus Diplomacy: Erdoğan told UK PM Andy Burnham that any Cyprus solution must grant Turkish Cypriots “equal international status,” while the UN envoy said the UN is “continuing its efforts” after meetings in New York. UNGA Spotlight: UN chief Guterres and Erdoğan also “exchanged views” on Cyprus, with no concrete progress yet. Tech & AI in Games: Korean startup Anchor Node wowed at Tokyo Game Show’s AI pavilion, pitching “GameAIfy” to speed development and cut costs. Cloud Expansion: Alibaba Cloud plans new data centres in Turkey, Finland and the Netherlands to push AI deployment closer to customers. Streaming & Turkish TV: Netflix’s Turkish thriller “Not a Stranger” is being framed as a tense, nanny-related suspense hit. Sports (Super Lig): Trabzonspor’s Onuachu drew praise despite form questions, and Osimhen’s return timeline for Galatasaray was reported after injury. Music & Heritage: A Ladino-Arabic-Welsh concert in Newport spotlights cross-cultural songwriting and performance. Turkic Music Diplomacy: Baku hosted the foundation for the Turkic Union of Composers, formalized via the Baku Declaration.

UN Diplomacy & Security: President Erdoğan backed Iraq’s push to strengthen state authority and stability, highlighting joint transport/energy projects like the Development Road during UNGA talks. Global Politics at UNGA: Erdoğan also renewed calls for UN Security Council reform, including ending veto privilege, while Trump used his UN speech to defend a tougher line on Iran and warned of “annihilation” if no deal follows U.S. midterms. Cinema Spotlight: Yeşim Ustaoğlu’s competition entry What Remains follows a poet’s road journey in a film praised for its poetic realism and emotional dual perspective. Turkish Thriller on Netflix: Not a Stranger—a Turkish eight-part thriller—has surged on Netflix, ranking high in the U.S. top 10 as a domestic secret-drama with a nanny twist. Sports & Culture: Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman urged Cyprus talks to deliver results, not photo-ops, ahead of New York meetings. Public Safety: Turkey’s Manisa school shooting left 11 injured; police detained the suspect and arrested the parents and grandfather over alleged weapon knowledge and supervision. Fashion Retail: Koton opened a new store at Bahrain’s Seef Mall, expanding the Turkish brand’s regional footprint.

COP31 Spotlight: Türkiye is ramping up its COP31 push in New York, with Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan set for high-level UN climate meetings and Turkevi hosting immersive COP31 exhibitions and installations. Film & Myth on Screen: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is sparking debate over whether its 70mm IMAX craft and modern retelling of Homer truly brings ancient myth closer—or changes what audiences gain. Football Coaching Buzz: Nations League returns with big-name debuts as Zinedine Zidane takes over France and Jurgen Klopp starts his Germany stint, with Mbappé calling the Zidane era “like something out of a movie.” Art & Design: Bahia Shehab’s book/exhibition “A Trade in Dreams” traces a century of Egyptian print advertising and shifting images of women, touring Europe and now showing in Cairo. Netflix Watch: Turkish series “Not a Stranger” is climbing worldwide charts fast after its quiet release, turning into a quick binge hit. Sports Culture: Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka admits using a forged Covid vaccine certificate, sidelining him from upcoming Nations League camp. International Arts Note: A new pairing show “Savdie / Soutine” puts Ilana Savdie alongside Chaïm Soutine in a New York gallery exhibition running through Oct. 24.

Arts & Culture in Turkey: The 10th Diyarbakır Book Fair kicks off this weekend (Sept. 26) with 125 publishing houses, 73 events over nine days, and a full mix of panels, workshops, theatre, music and kids’ activities. Contemporary Art & Exhibitions: Berlin-based Turkish artist Pınar Öğrenci brings a decolonial, feminist lens on displacement and memory in a new exhibition tied to Lake Van. Local Art Spotlight: Zonguldak’s Şahinde Ermiş, inspired by Bob Ross on TV, opens her second solo exhibition at 81. Cinema & Film Culture: Türkiye Cinema Festival is set to unite moviegoers across 75 provinces. Sports & Entertainment (Turkey): In the Süper Lig, Amed Sportif top the table heading into the break after a 3-2 win over Beşiktaş, while Fenerbahçe posts a record 8-0 thrashing of Eyüpspor. International Arts/Film: Louisa Proske makes her Met debut directing Verdi’s “Macbeth,” and Mbappé says Zidane’s France role feels “like a movie.”

LGBTQI+ Crackdown: Turkey detained at least 47 people in raids on LGBTQI+ associations, bars and clubs, with justice officials citing “protecting children” and “family” while activists reject the charges. Aegean Tensions: Turkey launched the Denizkurdu-I/2026 naval and air exercise, keeping most activity within Turkish waters as Greece monitors closely. Super Lig Spotlight: Mohamed Salah’s hat-trick powered Trabzonspor’s 4-0 demolition of Galatasaray, with new coach Thomas Reis praised and Victor Osimhen sidelined by injury. National Team Update: Nigeria recalled Taiwo Awoniyi for AFCON 2027 qualifiers after Osimhen was ruled out with a muscle strain. Sports & Culture in Ankara: Azerbaijan’s figure skaters competed at the Ankara Junior Grand Prix, showing up across singles and ice dance. Fashion Retail: Seef Mall – Seef District announced the opening of Koton by Apparel Group, adding another Turkish fashion anchor to the mall.

Super Lig Spotlight: Mohamed Salah fired a hat-trick as Trabzonspor crushed Galatasaray 4-0, with Victor Osimhen sidelined by injury and manager Okan Buruk sent off—setting up a big early-season statement for the Black Sea club. Osimhen Update: Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers call-up is off the table as Osimhen remains unfit, extending the knock-on effect of his groin problem for both club and country. Cyprus Diplomacy: Cyprus talks are back on the UN agenda as Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides heads to New York, with UN chief António Guterres and confidence-building measures in focus—while Turkey remains a key factor in whether negotiations can move forward. Cultural Heritage & Museums: Istanbul’s archaeological museums are reopening after a major restoration push, and Türkiye and Denmark announced a new museum cooperation tied to restitutions and future archaeological research. Arts & Film Industry: East-West co-production market coco (Cottbus) has selected its 28th edition lineup, including a Turkish project, as the event leans further into female-led directing. Fashion Trade: Première Vision Paris wrapped with a shift toward decision-makers and stronger international visitor numbers, signaling where the textile and fashion business is heading next. Ancient Türkiye: Rock paintings in Kars’ Kağızman district are drawing attention for preserving early animal imagery and ancient relationships with nature.

Middle East Diplomacy: Turkish FM Hakan Fidan said Saudi Arabia “should be kept outside” the Iran–U.S. conflict, but also signaled Turkey could provide military support to Riyadh under a new trilateral defense pact as Houthis step up attacks, including a reported ballistic missile attempt on Riyadh. Security & Organized Crime: Greek police in Thessaloniki reportedly stopped a Turkish-mafia assassination plot, seizing weapons allegedly linked to rival factions. Football Spotlight: Mohamed Salah powered Trabzonspor to a 4-0 Super Lig win over Osimhen-less Galatasaray, while Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen situation remains a key storyline ahead of AFCON qualifiers. Arts & Culture (Screen): Netflix’s Turkish thriller “Not A Stranger” is getting attention for its domestic twist—an artist mother hires her child’s instructor as nanny, only for past connections to complicate everything. Tech & Consumer Life: Samsung TV owners in Türkiye face channel access problems after Türksat’s satellite frequency shift, with complaints tied to whether models include the TKGS update system. Sports Tourism: Turkish Airlines backed multiple half marathons in Bangladesh, marking 15 years of operations and cultural connection through running events.

Consumer Tech & Broadcasting: Some Samsung TV models in Türkiye can’t access certain channels after Türksat’s Aug. 16 switch from Türksat 3A to Türksat 4A, with owners pointing to missing TKGS support and asking Samsung for fixes and compensation. Football & National Team Tension: Galatasaray’s request to keep Victor Osimhen out of Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers was rejected by the NFF, even as the striker remains sidelined by a groin injury and is ruled out of Galatasaray’s Trabzonspor match. Super Lig Spotlight: Trabzonspor host league leaders Galatasaray in a high-stakes Süper Lig clash at Papara Park, with both sides chasing momentum. Arts & Freedom of Expression: Actress Merve Asya Özgür argues that censorship pushes artists into self-silence, shaping a “collective silence” that traps new generations. Film Review (AI Horror): Bahman Ghobadi’s “Trees Are Watching” review highlights the film’s Kurdish legend premise but criticizes A.I.-generated visuals for undermining tone and impact. Sports Sponsorship: Turkish Airlines backs multiple Bangladesh half marathons marking 15 years of operations in the country. Aviation Industry Note: Skytrax names Singapore Airlines world’s best airline for 2026, with Turkish Airlines placing fifth. Cultural TV Feature: Türkiye’s World Türk TV spotlights BakuBus drivers performing “Intizar,” drawing attention from Turkish viewers.

Istanbul Art Scene: Johnny Depp’s first sculpture, “The Bunnyman,” will be unveiled at the Contemporary Istanbul art fair (Sept. 22–27) at the historic Ottoman shipyard Tersane Istanbul, with the work inspired by a childhood drawing by Depp’s son. Cinema & Culture: Bahman Ghobadi’s supernatural thriller “Trees Are Watching” (starring Eva Green) lands at TIFF 2026, mixing eerie object-horror with moments of comedy. Turkish Defense & Regional Tensions: Ankara announces “Denizkurdu-I,” a major naval exercise in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean (Sept. 20–24), with peak activities aboard TCG Anadolu. Sports & National Teams: Roberto Mancini names a 34-man Italy squad for UEFA Nations League matches, including nine first-timers, while Zinedine Zidane confirms Kylian Mbappé as France captain in his first roster. Travel & Media: A Turkish national is arrested on Samos over alleged fake travel documents, and Turkey’s press freedom concerns continue as journalists face legal pressure.

LGBTQ+ Crackdown: Turkish authorities launched one of the toughest clampdowns on LGBTQ+ groups, raiding homes and entertainment venues and taking down websites under “family safety” claims, with financial scrutiny of foreign funding. Press Freedom Under Pressure: CPJ urged Turkey to immediately release journalist Ahmet Polad after his transfer from Syria and reported severe health conditions following months of enforced disappearance. Kurdish Peace Process: Cemil Bayık said the PKK will not lay down arms or return to Turkey unless Abdullah Öcalan is freed, criticizing the Turkish law as not meeting their demands. Arts & Culture Spotlight: Johnny Depp will unveil his first sculpture, “The Bunnyman,” at Contemporary Istanbul, inspired by a childhood drawing by his son. Sports & International Stage: France began the Zidane era by naming a new-look squad for Nations League matches including a trip to Turkey on Sept. 25. Travel & Lifestyle: Singapore Airlines was named World’s Best Airline at the 2026 Skytrax awards, with Turkish Airlines placing fifth.

Hagia Sophia Tunnels: Turkey’s Culture and Tourism minister says a 1,600-year-old tunnel network under Hagia Sophia stretches about 9km, with restoration and safety work underway and possible visitor access later. Luxury Fashion Watch: A new report argues luxury brands are eyeing Turkey as a growth frontier, boosted by high-end tourism and a reshaping retail image. Tech & Lifestyle: Apple’s iCloud+ bundle is expanding in many countries by pairing storage with Apple TV and Apple Arcade, but the perks vary by region. Istanbul Football Buzz: Beşiktaş opened their Europa League campaign with a 4-1 win over Marseille, with Junior Olaïtan credited for the early assist. Super Cup Pipeline: Bilal Erdoğan and Turki Al-Sheikh say Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Spain are aligning to bring the 2027 Spanish Super Cup to Istanbul. LGBTQ+ Crackdown: Turkey’s obscenity law is being used to criminalize LGBTI+ visibility, as raids and detentions continue. Art & Culture: Johnny Depp’s first sculpture, “The Bunnyman,” will be unveiled at Contemporary Istanbul in September. Sports Spotlight: Abhishek Sharma smashed a record T20I century as India swept Afghanistan 3-0.

Trabzonspor & Salah: The Turkish club hired German coach Thomas Reis on a two-year deal, replacing Fatih Tekke, with Reis saying he wants to give Mohamed Salah “freedom in attack.” Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul: Spanish federation president Rafael Louzan says the 2027 Super Cup move to Istanbul (Feb 2-7) was driven mainly by a scheduling clash with Saudi Arabia’s Asian Cup, not security concerns. MotoGP return push: Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlioglu says Istanbul Park is “ready to race now” but he’s working toward a Turkish MotoGP slot in 2028. LGBTQ crackdown: Multiple reports describe raids and arrests tied to Turkey’s “Family Safety” campaign, including journalist Tuğba Tekerek’s detention and broader pressure on LGBTQ groups and media. Press freedom in court: A Turkish journalist went through a trial defense after indictments over criticism of MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli were rejected repeatedly before being accepted. Black Sea diplomacy: Türkiye says it has sent a proposal to Russia and Ukraine for a solution to attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea. Culture & industry: European Work in Progress (EWIP) selected 25 projects for its ninth edition in Hamburg, spotlighting new European films for partners and investors.

LGBTQIA+ Crackdown: The EU says it’s concerned about Turkey’s raids on LGBTQIA+ nightlife, with Reuters reporting at least 60 arrests across Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Mersin, as police cite “drugs” and other items and authorities frame the operation as “Our Family Is Safe.” Press Freedom Under Pressure: Istanbul journalist Tuğba Tekerek was arrested during the crackdown and faces “obscenity” allegations tied to an article, while another reporter’s detention was extended. Cinema & Culture Spotlight: Turkish director Yeşim Ustaoğlu discusses her road-movie drama What Remains, premiering at San Sebastián, as she explains how the pandemic delayed development and how the film centers a woman’s search for self. Travel With a Story: A travel feature taps “lore chasing” and highlights Türkiye’s must-see lakes for autumn getaways, from Lake Sapanca to others. Sports & Entertainment Mix: F1’s 2027 calendar is confirmed with Turkey returning and 10 sprint weekends, while Monaco adds a sprint for the first time—big news for motorsport fans. Aegean Tensions: Turkey redeploys its 51st Commando Brigade to Söke opposite Samos, drawing attention from Greek analysts amid renewed regional friction. Tech & Infrastructure: Digital Realty and Rönesans Infrastructure form a joint venture to build and run next-gen data centers in Türkiye, starting with a major Ankara campus.

LGBTQ+ Crackdown: Turkish authorities extended detention of 109 people after raids and protests outside Istanbul’s courthouse, with allegations of ill-treatment and censorship targeting LGBTI+ groups. TV & Culture Under Scrutiny: Prosecutors ordered an expert review of “Kurtlar Vadisi: Pusu,” probing claims of FETÖ-linked propaganda, including recurring “FG” plates. Cinema Spotlight: Yesim Ustaoğlu discussed her road-movie “What Remains,” premiering in competition at San Sebastián, and how the pandemic shaped its long path to completion. Trade & Craft: Minister Ömer Bolat highlighted Ahilik Week’s role in boosting trade, employment and the number of craftsmen, tying local services to broader economic growth. F1 Returns to Istanbul: Organizers confirmed the Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park for Oct. 1–3, 2027, as F1 also expands sprint weekends to 10 for next season. Economy Watch: Şimşek said disinflation is working but slower than desired, citing war-driven energy shocks and inflation inertia. Aviation/Travel Disruption: Turkish Airlines is set to compensate Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage after his equipment arrived broken. Sports & National Teams: Galatasaray received Nigeria’s formal invitation for Victor Osimhen ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifiers, though his groin injury clouds his availability. Fashion & Design: New York’s Designers & Agents wrapped up its three-day show during NYFW, with strong international participation and fresh independent brands.