Aspendos fest returns to Antalya with Verdi, Tolstoy, Khachaturian
The 33rd International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, organized by Turkey's General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet, will take place at the historic Aspendos Ancient Theatre in Antalya from September 12 to 26, 2026. The festival will feature four main productions: one opera, two ballets, and one staged cantata, with performances starting at 9 p.m. The opening performance will be Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Attila,' featuring artists from Kazakhstan's Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Another highlight will be the ballet adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's 'Anna Karenina' with a contemporary interpretation. The festival will also include Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana,' showcasing a blend of orchestral, choral, and dance elements.
Roman-era healing god statue, wrestler tomb found in Turkey's Aspendos Archaeologists at the ancient city of Aspendos have uncovered a roughly 2,400-year-old tomb believed to have belonged to a wrestler, days after finding a 1,800-year-old marble sculpture depicting the healing god Asklepios and his son Telesphoros, the Culture and Tourism Ministry has announced. Aspendos is located in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya in southern Turkey. The two finds were made separately, with the Asklepios statue discovered first. The marble sculpture, measuring approximately 2.2 meters tall, depicts Asklepios, the ancient Greek god of wellness, alongside his son and assistant Telesphoros. The statue group was found among the ruins of the northern wing of a Monumental Gate on the western side of the East Square along Theater Street. According to the ministry, the artwork dates to the final quarter of the second century A.D., reflecting the sculptural style of the period through the figures' poses, the arrangement of the folds of Asklepios’ himation, and the detailed treatment of his face, hair, and beard. Asklepios is shown as a mature, bearded man standing frontally, with long, thick hair. His weight rests on his left leg, while his right leg is slightly bent and extended forward and to the side. His upper body is largely left bare, while his himation is draped over his left shoulder and arranged around his waist and legs in densely worked folds. Telesphoros, depicted in a much smaller scale in front of Asklepios’ left foot, is recognizable by his long, hooded garment, which completely covers his body and conceals most of its anatomical details, giving him a column-like appearance. The discovery of the statue group among the ruins of the Monumental Gate suggests it was displayed in an area of Aspendos that held public and ceremonial importance. The ministry stated that the find provides new information about health cults, beliefs, and social life in the region. Separately, archaeologists uncovered a tomb believed to have belonged to a wrestler, dating back approximately 2,400 years. This find came just days after the discovery of the Asklepios statue. The Aspendos Ancient Theatre, where these artifacts were found, continues to host cultural events. The 33rd International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, organized by the General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet, will take place from Sept. 12 to 26, 2026, featuring four major opera and ballet productions. The festival will include Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Attila,” Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina” interpreted as a ballet, Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” and the Kazakh production of “Spartacus.” Performances will begin at 9 p.m. daily. The festival will open with “Attila,” staged by the Antalya State Opera and Ballet, featuring a cast including Şafak Güç as Attila and Bilge Yılmaz as Odabella. The production will be directed by Yiğit Günsoy, with musical direction by Lorenzo Castriota and choreography by Bader Çakan. “Anna Karenina” will be presented Sept. 15, offering a contemporary ballet interpretation of Tolstoy’s classic novel. The production will be choreographed by YoungSoon Hue, with set design by Çağda Çitkaya and lighting design by Mustafa Eski. Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” will be performed on Sept. 19 and 21, involving a large cast of approximately 250 performers, including soloists, an orchestra, chorus, children’s chorus, ballet company, and modern dance troupe. The festival will conclude with “Spartacus,” staged by the Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre, one of Kazakhstan’s leading arts institutions. The production, composed by Aram Khachaturian, features choreography by Zaurbek Raybayev, a People’s Artist of Kazakhstan.
In southern Turkey, archaeologists discovered two significant historical finds at the ancient city of Aspendos. One find was a 1,800-year-old marble sculpture depicting the Roman-era healing god Asklepios and his son Telesphoros, while the other was a tomb believed to have belonged to a wrestler. These discoveries were made within days of each other. The site is located in Antalya, a Mediterranean resort city known for its rich archaeological heritage.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on archaeological findings in Turkey, which is a politically sensitive subject due to the country's complex history and cultural narratives. However, the framing of the article remains neutral, focusing solely on the discovery without overt ideological slant. The tone and content
Why factuality (95): The article accurately reports the discovery of both the Asklepios statue and the wrestler's tomb in Aspendos, citing the Culture and Tourism Ministry. It provides specific details such as the approximate ages of the artifacts and their locations. The only minor deduction comes from not specifying t
Why objectivity (90): The article presents the findings in a neutral manner, using straightforward language without apparent bias. It cites the official ministry announcement and avoids speculative or emotive language. However, it does not provide contrasting perspectives or alternative interpretations, which would enhan
In the ancient city of Aspendos, located in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya in southern Turkey, archaeologists have made two significant discoveries. The first was a 1,800-year-old marble sculpture depicting the Roman-era healing god Asklepios and his son Telesphoros. Days later, they uncovered a roughly 2,400-year-old tomb believed to belong to a wrestler. These findings were announced by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on archaeological discoveries related to historical artifacts and does not present any political opinions, biases, or controversial issues. It focuses purely on cultural and historical findings without any framing that suggests a particular ideological stance.
Why factuality (95): This article accurately reports the dual discoveries of the Asklepios statue and the wrestler's tomb, citing the Culture and Tourism Ministry. It provides specific details about the age and location of the artifacts. The only minor deduction comes from not specifying the exact date of the discoverie
Why objectivity (90): The article presents the findings in a neutral manner, using straightforward language without apparent bias. It cites the official ministry announcement and avoids speculative or emotive language. However, it does not provide contrasting perspectives or alternative interpretations, which would enhan
The 33rd International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival, organized by Turkey's General Directorate of State Opera and Ballet, will take place at the historic Aspendos Ancient Theatre in Antalya from September 12 to 26, 2026. The festival will feature four main productions: one opera, two ballets, and one staged cantata, with performances starting at 9 p.m. The opening performance will be Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Attila,' featuring artists from Kazakhstan's Abay Kazakh National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Another highlight will be the ballet adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's 'Anna Karenina' with a contemporary interpretation. The festival will also include Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana,' showcasing a blend of orchestral, choral, and dance elements.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual overview of the cultural event without any overt political commentary or ideological framing. It focuses on artistic programming, performers, and technical aspects of the productions, maintaining a neutral tone throughout.
Why factuality (85): The article provides specific details about the 33rd International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival including dates, participating organizations, performance schedule, and artistic details. While no primary source is available, the information aligns with typical reporting on cultural festivals an
Why objectivity (78): The article presents factual information about the festival with some descriptive language about the opera and ballet works. However, it includes subjective descriptions of the themes and emotions explored in the productions, which may lean towards promotional language rather than strictly objective
In the ancient city of Aspendos, located in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya in southern Turkey, archaeologists have made two significant discoveries. The first was a 1,800-year-old marble sculpture depicting the Roman-era healing god Asklepios and his son Telesphoros. Days later, they uncovered a roughly 2,400-year-old tomb believed to belong to a wrestler. These findings were announced by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on archaeological discoveries related to historical artifacts and does not present any political opinions, biases, or controversial issues. It focuses purely on cultural and historical findings without any framing that suggests a particular ideological stance.
Why factuality (80): The article reports on the discovery of a 2,400-year-old wrestler's tomb and a 1,800-year-old Asklepios statue in Aspendos. These findings are presented as recent discoveries by archaeologists, consistent with similar reports from reputable sources. The information is concise and supported by offici
Why objectivity (90): The article maintains a neutral tone, simply reporting the findings without expressing personal opinions or biases. It presents both discoveries in a balanced manner without emphasizing any particular narrative.
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