Yunus Emre Enstitüsü

"Iyi günler" is how to say good day at Yunus Emre Enstitüsü. The Turkish organisation was founded in 2007 with headquarters in Ankara. In 53 culture centres around the world, it carries out projects and events designed to teach and promote the Turkish language, culture, art and history, not unlike the German Goethe-Institut. It is named after Anatolian poet and musician Yunus Emre, who shaped the Turkish literary tradition in the 13th century.

Cultural institute in the heart of Berlin

Since January 2015, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü has been offering extensive activities from its cultural centre in the heart of Berlin. The premises are modern and include five classrooms, a small cinema, separate work stations, and a special lending library, offering numerous children's books in Turkish, among others. The programming includes courses in the Turkish language, readings, lectures, concerts, exhibitions, and workshops.
It is not just about teaching Turkish culture, but also creating ties to the host country: "By bringing together Dede Efendi and Wagner, Yunus Emre and Verlaine, Baki and Goethe, we are trying to create a new way forward for dialogue and mutual understanding", so says the mission of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü.

The cultural institute is one block from the Gendarmenmarkt, and can be readily reached by U-Bahn lines U2 and U6, Station Stadtmitte.