This news was released on the website of the Istanbul Festival: « The opening events of the 41st Istanbul Music Festival will not be realized on 4 June. The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts has decided to cancel the opening ceremony due to the current climate of heightened social sensitivity and has postponed the opening concert. Concerts following the opening events will be held as planned. » The opening concert was to be played by the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of its Music Director Sascha Goetzel.