Mythology Film Festival Comes to Ancient Tralleis: Cinema, Music, and Literature in a 3,000-Year-Old City

The ancient city of Tralleis in Aydın, Türkiye, will host its first-ever cultural event on September 25: the 3rd International Mythology Film Festival. Visitors will experience film screenings, concerts, and discussions amid the ruins of this once-thriving Roman-era city.

The spotlight is turning to Tralleis, one of Western Anatolia’s most storied archaeological sites—not for a new excavation, but for a celebration of mythology, cinema, and culture. Located in the Efeler district of Aydın, Tralleis was founded by Thracians and Argives around the 4th century BC and flourished as a major trade and cultural hub of the region.

Historical records describe Tralleis as “the place where the first notated music was written.” Today, its monumental remains, including a Roman theatre, gymnasium, and bath complex, make it a striking archaeological landmark. Excavations that began in the 19th century and continued under Turkish archaeologists have revealed the city’s grandeur. Overlooking the fertile plains of the Küçük Menderes River, Tralleis is now set to welcome art and history enthusiasts for a unique cultural experience.

Festival Program in Tralleis

The festival’s Aydın events will begin in the city center with a 10:30 a.m. screening of “Earwig’s Song” for children at Nevzat Biçer Conference Hall, followed by a 2:30 p.m. screening of “HisTroy,” a contemporary retelling of the Troy myth.

In the evening, the action moves to the ancient city itself. At 5:30 p.m., Swedish duo YoJuliet will perform a repertoire inspired by mythology and literature. This will be followed by a panel discussion titled “The Shared Story of Humanity” at 6:30 p.m., moderated by Prof. Dr. Murat Çekilmez and featuring Prof. Dr. Pınar Fedakar, Prof. Dr. Aynur Civelek, and festival director Gülşah Elikbank.

Author and journalist Özlem Ertan will also give a presentation on Hittite tales, highlighting Anatolia’s rich storytelling tradition.

A Festival Celebrating Mythology and Women

The festival’s theme, “Mythology and Women,” ties together a nationwide itinerary: İzmir (September 22–24), Manisa (September 26), Istanbul’s Beyoğlu Cinema and Rami Library (September 27–28), and the ancient city of Troy (September 29–30).

Under the leadership of director Gülşah Elikbank, the event features international film screenings, short film and digital game competitions, panels, and award ceremonies, offering a rich intersection of mythology and modern creativity.