EFFEA Jury

Efruz Çakırkaya is the Artistic Director of the Istanbul Music Festival. She studied Italian Language and Literature at the Department of Western Languages ​​and Literature at Ankara University. In 2002, she received her master’s degree in Languages ​​and Communication from the University of Florence.

Between 2002 and 2008, Çakırkaya worked as a programme coordinator for the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, where she was responsible for coordinating programmes, orchestral tours, CD recordings and PR. Efruz Çakirkaya has been part of the Istanbul Music Festival team since 2008, whereas a Deputy Director, together with the Festival Director of the time, developed the artistic programme and coordinated the logistical and technical planning of concerts and agreements with artists and agents.

In 2014, Efruz Chakyrkaya took part in a training called Atelier for Young Festival Managers organised by the European Academy of Festivals. In 2018, she was selected among four female cultural professionals from Turkey to join the British Council's Women and Leadership in the Arts and Culture programme.

She was the guest curator at Wonderfeel Festival which was presented in the Netherlands on 21-22-23 July 2023