Samsun has a rich structure in terms of culture and art activities. In the city, various culture and art centers, organized events, and museums offer interesting activities at local and national level.
Samsun State Opera and Ballet has an important place in the cultural and artistic life of the city. Opera, ballet and modern dance performances are staged here throughout the year. In addition, Samsun State Theater presents various theater plays to art lovers. These two institutions make significant contributions to the artistic richness of the city, facilitating access to culture and arts activities for locals and visitors.
Samsun Atatürk Cultural Center hosts various conferences, exhibitions and cultural events. This center plays a dynamic role in the social life of the city and is an important venue where works of different art are exhibited. Also, Samsun Culture Palace is another important venue used for large concerts and performances. Such centers keep Samsun's art and culture scene alive and offer attractive events for art lovers throughout the year.
Among the events organized during the year, Samsun International Film Festival attracts great attention. The festival brings together many local and foreign films with movie lovers and organizes events such as workshops, panel discussions, and interviews with famous filmmakers in addition to film screenings. In addition, Samsun Art Days is another important event where local artists exhibit their works and various artistic performances take place.
Among the museums in Samsun, Samsun Archaeology and Ethnography Museum is the best known. This museum offers visitors the opportunity to discover the history and culture of the region by exhibiting archaeological finds and ethnographic artifacts from prehistoric times to the present day. In addition, the Gazi Museum exhibits historical documents and artifacts describing Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's landing in Samsun and the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence. The Bandirma Ferry Museum, on the other hand, houses a replica of the Bandirma Ferry on which Atatürk first set foot in Samsun and makes visitors feel the atmosphere of that period.
These culture and art centers, museums, and organized events are important elements reflecting Samsun's rich history, culture, and art. In this way, the city stands out as a regional and national cultural center by offering a variety of cultural and artistic experiences to both locals and visitors.