STORYBRIDGE
2026
26-27 November ISTANBUL
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSon STORYTELLING
as a Bridge Between Civilizations:
From the Silk Road to the Caribbean
Far beyond preserving the past, stories build global trust and cross-civilizational unity: Join us on this diplomatic and academic bridge from the Silk Road to the Caribbean.
StoryBridge 2026: I. International Congress on Storytelling as a Bridge Between Civilizations
2026 Theme: From the Silk Road to the Caribbean
Throughout history, humanity has relied on the power of storytelling to make sense of the world, transmit memory, and forge cross-border connections. Spanning from the Silk Road—the ancient trade and cultural route of the East—to the vibrant, multicultural Caribbean of the Atlantic, this journey represents a vast network of cultural transmission extending from oral traditions to digital media, and from culinary heritage to cinema.
Leveraging Istanbul’s geopolitical and cultural bridge function, StoryBridge '26 aims to bring together academics, researchers, artists, and communication practitioners. Hosted by Bahçeşehir University and BAU MEDAM, this congress redefines storytelling not merely as an academic discipline, but as a vital instrument for intercultural dialogue, diplomacy, and the construction of collective memory.
Our congress is open to a wide academic spectrum, and submissions will be accepted under the following main themes, including but not limited to:
Oral Culture & Mythology: Ancient epics, Caribbean and Silk Road narrative traditions, universal motifs.
Migration, Diaspora & Memory: Biographies, oral history, collective memory, and cross-border identity construction.
Cultural Diplomacy & Gastro-Diplomacy: Soft power, culinary heritage narratives, cross-civilizational peace, and dialogue.
Media, Cinema & Broadcasting: Turkish TV series industry, telenovelas and magical realism, screen narratives, and cultural exports.
Digital Transformation & Artificial Intelligence: Transmedia storytelling, narrative design in digital video games, digital museology, and next-generation storytelling.
(All original interdisciplinary paper proposals are subject to Scientific Committee review.)
Message from the Organizing Committee
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Anyone working in the fields of narrative research, media, culture, and international relations knows full well the vital importance of following cutting-edge research alongside scholars and practitioners from across the globe. The most effective way to advance your scientific and professional career while forging new collaborations is to become an active part of this global network.
StoryBridge 2026 brings together key stakeholders on a narrative bridge spanning from ancient epics to modern digital media:
Academics & Researchers: Scholars in Narratology, International Relations, Media & Communication, Sociology, and Literature.
Diplomats & Cultural Attachés: Actors in cultural diplomacy, soft power initiatives, and public diplomacy.
Media, Film & TV Industry Professionals: Producers, screenwriters, and digital content creators.
Digital Publishers & Game Developers: Practitioners in generative AI, narrative design, gamification, and transmedia storytelling.
Museum Curators & Cultural Heritage Experts: Specialists in digital museology, interactive exhibition, and oral history documentation.
Postgraduate Students & Early-Career Researchers: Master's and Ph.D. candidates pursuing innovative narrative research.
If you are active in any of these fields or believe in the transformative power of storytelling in cross-civilizational dialogue, StoryBridge 2026 is where you belong!
Every conference is a great opportunity to encounter new ideas; StoryBridge 2026 aims to provide an inspiring space where we can cultivate these ideas together. Here are some of the experiences waiting for you on this shared platform:
Opportunity to Refine Your Ideas: A chance to exchange valuable insights on your research and projects with distinguished scholars and field experts.
New Friendships & Global Networking: An environment to connect and build lasting relationships with international colleagues working in cultural diplomacy, narrative research, and digital media.
Discovering Academic Publication Pathways: An opportunity to gain insights into publishing processes and journal prospects as you advance your papers into academic literature.
Exploring Innovative Approaches: The experience of exploring the possibilities offered by digital storytelling, museology, and generative AI applications through practical demonstrations.
Stepping into Joint Projects: A shared ground to meet researchers with common interests from diverse geographies spanning from the Silk Road to the Caribbean, inspiring new collaborative endeavors.
STORYBRIDGE DOCUMENTARY OPENING SESSION
From Research to Screen: The Visual Narrative of Civilizations
One of the fundamental ways to understand a civilization is to observe how its stories are told. As part of StoryBridge 2026, the Documentary Forum focuses on the dynamic intersection between academic research and documentary cinema. This special session explores how historical, cultural, and societal research is translated into visual narratives, illustrating how documentaries illuminate shared histories, traditions, and inter-cultural connections.
Two landmark documentary projects produced by BAU MEDAM, one of the main organizers of the congress, serve as the featured case studies for this session.
RIVER FLOWING WESTWARD
The Journey of Civilizations and the Shared Heritage of Humanity
A comprehensive documentary project exploring the historical connections among diverse geographies, cultures, and civilizations. The film invites viewers to contemplate the concept of civilization not as the story of a single region, but as the collective wisdom and shared heritage of human history.
OTTOMAN AMERICA
History, Memory, and Cultural Interaction
A documentary project exploring the historical relations between the Ottoman world and America, along with the cultural footprints left by these interactions. By bridging historical research with visual narrative, the film opens up space to rethink the cross-cultural contacts and shared memories between distinct societies.
CONGRESS VENUE
Bahçeşehir University, Conference Center
Address: Yıldız, Çırağan Cd., 34349 Beşiktaş/İstanbul
