History

Mersin International Music Festival is a project which is started in 2002 in the 10-year anniversary  of establishment of Mersin State Opera and Balet. The major causes of the festival's success  is the acceptance of the project in a short time in Mersin and the support of  urban components.

The first six years of Mersin International Music Festival was held under the roof  of  “Mersin Cultural Center Association”. The name of “Mersin Cultural Center Association” was changed as " Mersin Culture and Art Association"  in accordance with the renovated legislation in 2004.

The first festival supporting institutions are composed of TC Culture and Tourism Ministry, the Governorship of Mersin , Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, Mersin University, subunit municipalities, professional associations.

" Promotion Fund of the Prime Minister " was added in 2006 to  and the above-mentioned Governments and Institutions  which are supporting the Mersin International Music Festival. And then, the festival has become more powerful .

A new era for both festival and Mersin began in 2007 with the admission to membership of the festival to the European Festivals Association (EFA). During this period, relationship with the international art institutions has increased visibly. Applications are received with a significant proportion of the artists or groups wishing to take part in the festival. Mersin and Mersin International Music Festival has become so much more recognized in the international cultural and artistic environment .
 
"Association of Art Activities " took the responsibility of this task in early 2008 after the decision of " Mersin Culture and Art Association" to not to maintain the Mersin International Music Festival. The founding members of the Association are Faik Burakgazi, Emine Berika İpekbayrak, Ziya Aykın, Süleyman Cengiz, Ferda Er, Nuran Kurtuluş, Özay Öztürk ve Selma Yağcı.

Mersin International Music Festival which is currently being conducted by the “Association of Art Activities”, has hosted many world-renowned artists and ensembles. Institutions, organizations, contributions and advertising people which sponsored the festival are situated in the "SPONSORS” part.