The “A Cinema in Ayvalık” project, jointly run by the Seyir Association and Ayvalık Municipality,

has been deemed eligible for funding under the Ortaklaşa: Culture, Dialogue and Support Program, implemented by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) with the support of the European Union. The project aims to restore Vural Cinema, which holds an important place in Ayvalık’s cultural memory, to its original function as a movie theater. As part of the project, the technical and physical infrastructure of Vural Cinema will be renovated. The aim is to transform the venue into a movie theater that can operate regularly throughout the year, rather than only during festival periods. In this talk, we will discuss the history of Vural Cinema, the significance of its architect, Bilge Kıray, and the European Union project that will restore Vural Cinema to its original function as a movie theater.