Trabzon has been one of the ancient settlement centers of Anatolia throughout the history that many nations who wanted to dominate the Anatolian geography were interested in. It is usual to come across with Trabzon's name in most of the history books regarding civilizations and wars. In addition, Trabzon has been the main theme of some of the literature books. Besides being the hometown of Georgius, one of the famous philosophers of Renaissance period, and his fathers, the city's name was also mentioned in Dede Korkut Epics with Kanturali epic tale.

       Charles Texier in his work of art called little Asia has mentioned that Trabzon was founded before the BC 2000 where was the settlement center of a group of people before Millets. Starting from BC IX. Century, the city's name was also pronounced by the historians such as Homers, Herodotus, Hesiodos. The first written source regarding Trabzon is Anabasis of Ksenophon.

       In addition to be stated as such an old city, Trabzon's name has also mentioned as a culture and art city along the history. Historical sources include Trabzon within the cities such as Buhara and Iskenderiye where law education was important in BC 300. According to Anan from Shriak, Tukikos who opened a school in the city in VII. Century and philosopher Bessaryon who comes from Platon School was born in Trabzon. Trabzon has been the world trade center during Kommenos period and in 1303 "Codex Cumanicus", a Latin-Persian-Kuman dictionary, has been the evidence of the existence of people who spoke those three languages.

       After conquered by the Ottomans, Trabzon continued to be a city of culture and gained a different momentum when Prince Selim I (Yavuz) was appointed as the governor of Trabzon. The city became a province during Kanuni the Great who was born in Trabzon and first census marked as another milestone was held in 1515. After conquered in 1462, Fatih Medrese (1462), Hatuniye Medrese (1515), Iskenderpaşa Medrese (1529), Hamzapaşa Medrese (1543) were established as important educational centers of the period.

       Mehmet Aşık, the famous geographer of the period, was born in Trabzon in XVI. Century and provided information about the cultural structure of the city in his books. In XVII. Century Evliya Çelebi gives very important information on the cultural identity of Trabzon and explains the famous poets of the city. In addition, in XIX. Century travelers who visited the city provided information about the cultural identity of the city. After Tanzimat Revolution, in 1887 Trabzon High School and in 1889 Teacher's School were established as western type educational centers.

       Following the increased interest in education, important classical poets including female ones were revealed. Some of them are Emin Hilmi, Hafız Zühdi, father of Peyami Safa İsmail Safa, Ahmet Rıza, Halil Nihat Boztepe, Hamamizade İhsan, Ms. Saniye and Ms. Mahsah.

       One of the most important aspects of cultural life has been the foundation of the Province Printing Office in 1865 where a newspaper called Trabzon was printed starting from 1869 and 22 Official Ottoman Documents were issued until 1911.

       During and after the reform period in Ottoman, Trabzon's cultural life was enriched. In this period the importance of public health increased and a journal called "Hekim" started to be published in Anatolia. The newspapers of Reform period were also issued in Trabzon. At the same time, in some art and literature journals some young poets and writers from Trabzon were producing masterpieces and cartoons. Some Greek, Armenian and French newspapers published in Trabzon gives some information about the intellectual life of the city. The first theater in the city was encouraged by Governor Ali and theater games from Istanbul and Europe were played in Trabzon. First photograph house in the city was opened just ten years after Istanbul by Armakof in 1868.

       With the Republican Era, a new art and culture approach has initiated by transferring the cultural life to rural areas of the city. In 1926 well-known intellectuals of the city, such as Süreyya Hulusi explained the importance of republican era to the people, especially to women in villages. One of the reflections of enlightenment era has been the foundation of People's House in Trabzon with nine branches. Most of the cultural activities were organized by People's House in Sümer cinema center which was removed by 1950's local government with destroying the memories of that era and generation.

       Art and poet nights were also organized by the People's House. In 1940s many national and international arts exhibitions were held in Trabzon. People's House established lots of libraries and many youth met with books, western classics and periodical journals served to the development of city's cultural life.

       After 1950s rapid urbanization brought in and out migration in Trabzon which also affected the cultural life of the city. By the out migration of intellectuals to the big cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, Trabzon had cultural recession. However, young artists were start to be active in the city during that period who has later become well-known famous musicians, photographers, poets, painters, novelist, cartoonist and etc. both at national and international arena.

       For instance, many members of the photography association called Photo Forum have been awarded in national and international contests. There have been some other active associations that had very famous artists in various fields. Many famous painters such as Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, Orhan Peker, Mustafa Ata, Süleyman Saim Tekcan, Veysel Günay, Mustafa Beşgen, Haydar Durmuş, Ceyhan Murathanoğlu, Rasim Çubukçu and sculpture artists such as Saldıran Özmen and Orhan İlyas and writers, poets such as Hasan İzzettin Dinamo, Oktay Rıfat, Kenan Sarıalioğlu, Atilla Asut, Ahmet Özer, Gündoğdu Sanımer, Subutay Hikmet Karahasanoğlu, Yaşar Miraç and important politicians such as Cevdet Sunay, Hasan Saka, Faik Ahmet Barutçu and many others have been the valuable people of and for Trabzon.

       Recently many arts and culture activities are organized by Trabzon Municipality in Trabzon where has been the hometown of culture and arts throughout the history. In this framework, first international Culture and Art Festival was held in 2005. By introducing such kind of activities, Trabzon, with its rich cultural potential coming from the history, will sustain this cultural identity and will have the proud of revitalization of its cultural potential.