Traslated by Andrés Martínez Forero
‘Bogotá, My City, My Home’ now features a new hub for cultural creation and production at CEFE Chapinero (Centro Felicidad, Bogotá’s public network of cultural and recreational centers). The newly inaugurated Estudio Estambul is a hybrid, free-to-use public media lab equipped for podcast and video podcast production, music recording, audio and video post-production, as well as augmented and virtual reality projects.
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Conceived as an open-access, professionally equipped environment, the studio welcomes artists, cultural managers, collectives, universities, and community members seeking to create and disseminate cultural content using high-quality technical resources.
“On behalf of Bogotá, we extend our sincere thanks to the Government of Türkiye for this support. CEFE Chapinero is a very special place, and activating it with dynamic programming and opportunities for young people to create and produce content is deeply meaningful. This is yet another opportunity to strengthen the ties between Colombia and Türkiye,” said Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán during the opening ceremony.
The new studio responds to a critical need within the cultural sector: access to specialized infrastructure that enables high-quality production without technical or financial barriers. Through Estudio Estambul, CEFE Chapinero further strengthens its role as a cultural facility dedicated to innovation, professional training, and amplifying diverse voices.
The inauguration included a guided tour of the studio and the recording of the first episode of Cultura Bogotá, the city’s cultural sector podcast — marking the launch of Estudio Estambul as a dynamic platform for creative production, cultural dialogue, and collective memory.
“We are proud to inaugurate this special space with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá — a space where residents can develop their audiovisual projects. We warmly invite Bogotá’s young people to take full advantage of this opportunity,” said Türkiye’s Ambassador to Colombia, Beste Pehlivan Sun.
Estudio Estambul is part of the broader framework of bilateral cooperation between Türkiye and Bogotá and stems from sustained dialogue and collaboration with the local cultural sector. Through these partnerships, CEFE Chapinero was able to submit this initiative for funding through TIKA, where it was selected to receive support aimed at strengthening its cultural and technological infrastructure.
“The Embassy of Türkiye and Turkish Cooperation have been key allies for Bogotá. Together, we have implemented important projects that contribute to the city’s cultural and social development. Today, we are proud to inaugurate this studio at CEFE Chapinero — a space equipped not only for podcast production and silent headphone events, but one that invites all residents to explore it as a platform for creativity and expression,” said Jimena Niño, Special Adviser for Bogota’s International Relations.
The official launch was attended by Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán; Secretary of Culture, Recreation and Sport Santiago Trujillo; Special Adviser for International Relations Jimena Niño; Ambassador of Türkiye to Colombia Beste Pehlivan Sun; and Ahmed Faruk Muştakoğlu, Director of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).
During its initial months of operation, access to Estudio Estambul will be managed through a selection process overseen by CEFE Chapinero’s curatorial committee. Proposals will be submitted through an open call, and selected projects will be scheduled under four programmatic lines: cultural managers, universities, diplomatic missions accredited in Colombia, and in-house content from the Secretariat of Culture, Recreation and Sport.
Beginning in February, the selected proposals will be the first to develop and produce content in the new studio.
In addition to producing its own content, CEFE Chapinero will host creative residencies, training programs, open calls, and collaborative initiatives with universities, embassies, and cultural partners — positioning Estudio Estambul as a key node for the circulation of cultural content from Bogotá to diverse audiences.
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With this launch, the Secretariat of Culture, Recreation and Sport and CEFE Chapinero reaffirm their commitment to expanding equitable public access to culture, fostering innovation and professional development, and strengthening community through contemporary cultural practices.
*This article was created using information provided by the Bogotá’s International Relations Office and curated by a journalist from Portal Bogotá. For suggestions, questions, or more information, visit Bogotá Te Escucha: https://bogota.gov.co/sdqs/
