Shakespeare in Kurdish: A Different Theatre Experience Comes to Istanbul

Istanbul’s cultural calendar is full of familiar names, international concerts and performances designed for audiences from around the world. But some of the city’s most interesting cultural experiences are found a little further beyond the international spotlight.

On 28 November, Müze Gazhane in Kadıköy welcomes Xewna Şeveke Havînê, a Kurdish-language production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality City Theatre.

It is an intriguing meeting of one of the world’s best-known playwrights and a language and theatrical tradition that many international residents may have had little opportunity to encounter.

A magical forest, a timeless story

First performed in the late sixteenth century, A Midsummer Night’s Dream remains one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies.

Set in a magical forest near Athens, the story follows a group of lovers whose lives become tangled in a supernatural quarrel between the fairy king Oberon and Queen Titania. Spells, mistaken identities and unexpected romantic twists turn an ordinary night into something extraordinary.

The play’s enduring appeal lies in its combination of humour, fantasy and human emotion. Its themes of love, jealousy, power and illusion have crossed centuries and cultural boundaries.

For this Istanbul production, the text has been translated into Kurdish by Kawa Nemir, with direction by Ferhad Faqî. The performance brings Shakespeare’s familiar world into a different linguistic and theatrical setting.

Discovering another cultural voice

For Istanbul’s international community, finding cultural events beyond Turkish-language mainstream entertainment can sometimes be challenging. English-language performances are particularly attractive because they remove the language barrier.

This production offers a different kind of invitation.

Kurdish is an important language in Türkiye’s cultural landscape, with its own literary and artistic traditions. Experiencing a Kurdish-language theatre production provides an opportunity to encounter another dimension of the country’s cultural life.

This is not an international touring show or an English-friendly performance. It is a production rooted in a local theatrical context, and that is part of its appeal.

The performance is in Kurdish, with Turkish surtitles. There is no confirmed English translation. Visitors who do not understand Turkish may find it difficult to follow every exchange, although the visual language of theatre, acting and atmosphere can still offer plenty to appreciate.

For theatre lovers and culturally curious residents, it may be an opportunity to experience something outside the usual programme.

The setting: Müze Gazhane

The choice of venue adds another reason to make an evening of it.

Müze Gazhane occupies the restored site of the former Hasanpaşa Gasworks, a historic industrial complex transformed into one of Kadıköy’s cultural destinations. Its architecture, exhibition spaces, public courtyard and cafés make it a place worth exploring in its own right.

Arriving early gives visitors time to walk around the complex before the performance. Afterwards, Kadıköy offers an easy continuation of the evening, whether that means dinner, drinks or a stroll towards Moda.

It is a chance to combine theatre with a little exploration of Istanbul’s Asian side.

A different kind of cultural night

Not every worthwhile cultural experience needs to be in English or feature an internationally recognised touring company. Sometimes, discovering a city means being open to the stories, languages and artistic voices that exist beyond the familiar.

For international residents who enjoy theatre and want to understand more of the cultural diversity of Türkiye, Xewna Şeveke Havînê offers an interesting opportunity.

It may not be a performance for everyone, particularly those who rely on English subtitles. But for audiences willing to approach it with curiosity, it promises a different perspective on a classic story.

Event information

• Production: Xewna Şeveke Havînê (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

• Company: Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality City Theatre

• Date: Saturday, 28 November 2026

• Time: 20:00

• Duration: 90 minutes

• Age guidance: 13+

• Venue: Prof. Dr. Sevda Şener Stage, Müze Gazhane, Kadıköy

• Language: Kurdish, with Turkish surtitles

• Director: Ferhat Faqî

• Translation: Kawa Nemir

Tickets and current prices: Biletinial.

Programme information: İBB City Theatres.