IIS Rainbow Magazine Issue#5

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Bahar BayramıCarnival

ShrovetideMardi Gras

Fat TuesdayMaslenitsaNevrus

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• A Week of Catching the Wave of Sound with Special Education Kids• IIS Interview with H.E. Dr. Sergiy KORSUNSKY, Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara

• Winter Universiade Erzurum 2011• IIS Second Winter Indoor Season

Sponsor of Beverages of IIS-Turkish Airlines International Football League

In the grip of cold and wintry weather, we would like to present readers IIS RAINBOW new issue of the spring season bringing the warmer days to your houses and offices. Spring comes after winter, and as such is much more glorious after living in a white frozen world for so long. As everything slowly comes back to life we have a chance to refresh ourselves.

Civil society, social projects and participation in NGOs have really been vital especially in developing countries. Civil society is composed of the totality of voluntary civic and social organizations and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society. Rainbow, the magazine of the International Interaction Society (IIS) would like to arouse the curiosity to the social prjects.

Rainbow would like to reflect its colours mainly from Turkish culture but also from different cultures all around the world. You will read about spring traditions in different cultures, a warm interview with Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara H. E. Mr. Sergiy KORSUNSKY, national and international organisations and politics.

We hope readers find this issue to be a helpful overview of the highlights of the season and wish you new happy and joyful spring.

DITORIAL

A. Murat FATSAPublishing Manager and Editor in Chief

[email protected]

Issue. 5 March/April 2011Owner

on behalf of International Interaction Society Mesut Gümüşdoğrayan

Editor in ChiefA. Murat Fatsa

EditorYuzbeny Escobar Altunay

Associate EditorsEmel Arslan Deniz

Sefa DenizoğluCreative & Art Director

Zelkif Çavuş KandemirGraphic

Timuçun İpekTranslationsMesut Temiz

Public Relations Sefa Denizoğlu

Production

0.312 442 75 10

Printing Dumat Ofset Matbaacılık

San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti.0.312 278 82 20

Spring is here!It is true what psychology teaches us: weather and seasons sure affect our emotional state of being. If not, how can you explain the joy and pleasure felt within us when spring arrives? Many consider the spring season as a time of “rebirth, renewal, or regrowth.” Perhaps it is the sunny and bright days we wake up to, or the chirping of the birds, or the many vivid colors created by nature that makes up reconsider to a fresh start. Whatever the reason may be, springtime sure knows how to cheer us up!

Many festivals and celebrations are seen throughout the world as a way of welcoming and worshipping this wonderful season. Without this season, the necessary changes in nature would not be possible. Certain animals would stay away, certain crops wouldn’t grow, and the heavy winter days would become our long companion. Spring is the necessary season that slowly and smoothly bridges winter and summer without causing such an impact in our lives.

Spring is the friendly season that says good-bye to the cold winter, and welcomes the summer months ahead of us. It is a glorious time when changes in nature are clearly visible causing an impact on people’s moods. Sports and outdoor activities once again become part of individual’s lives; while enjoying a delicious picnic forms part of our weekend getaways with family and friends.

With this being said, may your spring season be full of wonderful and positive moments. Let your heart and spirit indulge in the wonders of nature during this beautiful season!

DITORIAL

Yuzbeny Escobar Altunay Editor

[email protected]

IIS RainbowUğur Mumcunun Sokağı No: 44/1

G.O.P. / Çankaya - ANKARAP. 0 312 436 10 86 • F. 0 312 436 10 98

[email protected]

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Nowruz

A Fresh Breath On The Edge Of Spring

IIS Hosts TRAP Project in Ankara

The TRAP Story

Yunus Emre Institute

“Intercultural Marriages and their Children” The Most

Sacred Social

Treasure:

Family

Ankara CastleChange in the Middle East:

Where Turkey Stands

IIS Interview with H.E. Dr. Sergiy KORSUNSKY,

Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara

INTERVIEW

Turkish Taste

In The Council Of Europe

BARCELONA Antakya

A Heritage Of Antique Flavor: “Hatay Cuisine” Winter Universiade Erzurum 2011

Fashion and Art at Erzurum Winter Universiade

IIS Second Winter Indoor Season

A Fantastic International Tournament in Brussels

“It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game”

INTERVIEW

Liver Transplantation - Challenges and Solutions

News Review

Bahar BayramıCarnival

ShrovetideMardi Gras

Fat TuesdayMaslenitsaNevrus

whatever the name, these are all the same late-winter festivals.

March / April 2011 9

Festivals usually involve people’s celebration of their own existence. With that being said, we “exist” and this state of “existence” demands us to be joyful on festival days in order to make us aware of both itself and of ourselves.

Nowruz is a day when human beings feel that their existence is possible only with the existence of the universe, and they share the joyous heartbeats of resurrection in nature. “Now” means “new” and “ruz” means “day” in Persian. It has the sense of a day “totally different” than the previous one, rather

than “the next day.” It is a special day when spring is born out of the last breath of winter. Birth of spring represents the existence of the universe, and the leading role of this existence belongs to humans.

In the ancient fight between good and evil, Nowruz symbolizes a glory day of good. On this day, fires are lighted and iron is forged on the anvil. In this ceremony, iron symbolizes the evil, the fire represents the good surrounding the evil, and the anvil represents the fight between the two. The evil is difficult to beat and to overcome, while the good can exist only with the effort of someone. Human

NowruzA Fresh Breath On The Edge Of Spring

by Mehmet Öztunç[email protected]

beings can enliven the good with their contributions. If they do not support the goodness (fire) enough to make it strong enough to melt the evil (iron), thus opening a way for the goodness to proceed within it, then evil becomes the winning party.

Today, Nowruz is a festival celebrated on March 21 among the Iranian people and Turks in Asia. It is interesting that each individual ornaments this day with a saga telling his or her salvation. It is also very interesting that all these sagas include a motif where they return to existence back from the brink of vanishing totally. At the very moment the iron blocks the way, the blacksmith and his apprentice come and say: “There is only one way to salvation… It is to melt this iron block with a very strong fire… So, let everyone contribute with something to strengthen this fire…” Evil is not something a person can overcome on his or her own. It can be overcome only

when everyone accepts to light the fire within him or her. While melting the iron block, the heat of that fire opens not only the way, but also the rest of the world to you. The pattern of sitting on the throne at the end, which takes part in all Nowruz sagas, is a symbol showing that the good has always won and will always win. The importance still given to jumping over the Nowruz fire is a result of the gratitude to the fire for burning the evil thrown in it.

Though Nowruz confront us in different forms today, it is celebrated as an official holiday. However, the significance attributed to this day by the public is not as important and emphasized as it was in the past. For most people, March 21 is just the day following March 20, without special qualities. They do not consider it a day that symbolizes the burning of the evil and welcoming of goodness. Neither do they think of their own existence in unison with the existence of the universe.


Chinese New Year - often called Chinese Lunar New Year, although it actually is lunisolar - is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. Despite its winter occurrence, in China it is known as the “Spring Festival” owing to the difference between Western and traditional Chinese methods for computing the seasons. The origin of the Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains

significance because of several myths and traditions. The Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how people behaved and what they believed in the most.

2011 is the “Rabbit Year” according to the Chinese Lunar calendar. The spring festival in China is just like Christmas in the West. All the people living away from home go back, becoming the busiest time for transportation systems of about half a month from the Spring Festival.

The Spring Festival falls on the first day of the first lunar month. Often, one month later than the Gregorian calendar. It originated in the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600 BC-c. 1100 BC) from people’s sacrifice to Gods and ancestors at the end of an old year, and the beginning of a new one.

According to tales and legends, the beginning of the Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called Nian, as it would come on the first day of New Year to devour livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nian ate the food they prepared, it would not attack any more people. It is said that one time, people saw the Nian was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that the Nian was afraid of the color red.

Spring Festival In China

by Serhat Sayar [email protected]

Chinese New Year - often called Chinese Lunar New Year, although it actually is lunisolar - is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. Despite its winter occurrence, in China it is known as the “Spring Festival” owing to the difference between Western and traditional Chinese methods for computing the seasons. The origin of the Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. The Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how people behaved and what they believed in the most.

Hence, every time when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors.

The most important days are the Spring Festival Eve and the first three days. The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off for the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called Preliminary Eve. Families make delicious food to enjoy. After the Preliminary Eve, people begin preparing for the coming New Year. This is called “Seeing the New Year in”.

Everyone is busy with shopping ahead for the festival and rush in preparations for the holiday. People are not only busy with purchasing products, but also with various decorations, new clothes and shoes for children as well as gifts for the elderly, friends, and relatives.

People begin decorating their clean rooms featuring an atmosphere of rejoice and festivity. All the door panels are pasted with Spring Festival couplets, highlighting Chinese calligraphy with black characters on red paper. The content varies from house owners’ wishes for a bright future to good luck for the New Year. Also, it is believed that posted pictures on front doors will get rid off evil spirits and welcome peace and abundance.

People give great importance to the Spring Festival Eve. At that time, all family members eat dinner together. Dishes such as chicken, fish and bean curd cannot be excluded, for in Chinese, their pronunciations, respectively “ji,” “yu,” and “doufu” mean auspiciousness, abundance, and richness. According to custom, each family will stay up to see the New Year in.

Waking up on New Year, everybody dresses up. First, they extend greetings to their parents, and then each child receives money as a New Year gift, wrapped up

in red paper. People in different regions of China eat different dishes for breakfast, thinking it will bring them money and treasure.

Burning fireworks was once the most typical custom of the Spring Festival. People thought the spluttering sound could help drive away evil spirits. The lively atmosphere not only fills every household, but also permeates through streets and lanes. A series of activities such as lion dancing, dragon lantern dancing, lantern festivals and temple fairs will be held for days. The Spring Festival then comes to an end when the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the festival, is finished.

China has 56 ethnic groups. Minorities celebrate their Spring Festival almost the same day as the Han people and they have different customs.


Carnival, Shrovetide, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Maslenitsa, Nevrus - whatever the name, these are all the same late-winter festivals of eating, drinking and merrymaking. Maslenitsa (Butter Week) is the only ancient pagan celebration still included in the calendar of festivals of the Orthodox Church. In the pre-Christian age, at this time of year when the days were getting longer, tribes all over Europe celebrated the revival of nature, with pagan rituals for seeing off winter and greeting spring. Today, the festival is always on the last week before Lent.

As with many holidays, Maslenitsa has a dual ancestry; pagan and Christian. On the pagan side, Maslenitsa is a sun-festival -- the sun is shining longer and warmer each day, and winter is clearly on its way out--surely a cause for celebration! On the Christian side, Maslenitsa marks the last week before the onset of Lent (the period of fasting which precedes Easter). Already, as a sort of warming up exercise, Orthodox Christians are abstaining from

meat. Once Lent itself begins, a strictly kept fast excludes meat, fish, dairy products and eggs. Even vegetable oil is doled out sparingly. As it stands, Maslenitsa serves many purposes. Maslenitsa signals the exit of winter and heralds the coming of spring. As a part of pre-Lenten celebrations, it is also a pre-emptive strike to the upcoming fast because meat and dairy would traditionally be forbidden. Maslenitsa is the time for feasting (especially on pancakes). The name of the festival has its roots in the Russian word for butter, “maslo.”

Furthermore, a strictly kept Lent excludes parties, secular music, dancing and other distractions from the spiritual life. So, Maslenitsa represents the last chance for a good fling with worldly delights - another good cause for celebration!

MaslenitsaSay Goodbye To Winter

by Alexandra Grusha [email protected]

Bahar Bayramı,Carnival,Shrovetide,Mardi Gras,

Fat Tuesday,Maslenitsa,Nevrus

Both sides of Maslenitsa’s family tree are evident in the essential element, the bliny. These buttery pancakes are as round and golden as the sun, and are made from the rich foods still allowed- butter, eggs, and milk. Bliny are Russian pancakes, and they are essential to the celebration of Maslenitsa. Said to symbolize the sun —being warm, round, and golden—they are an appropriate warning to the lingering cold weather. Bliny are given to friends and family all through the week and are topped with caviar, mushrooms, jam, sour cream, and of course, lots of butter.

Besides making and eating quantities of bliny, a Russian old-time Maslenitsa might include masquerades, snowball fights, sledding, swinging on swings and plenty of sleigh rides -- the sleighs tracing a semi-circular path across the snow, like the sun’s path across the sky.

Each day of Maslenitsa has its own name and is spent in specific ceremonies, most of them related to family affairs and marriage. The week is spent in visits to relatives, and newlywed couples are greeted with various ceremonies. Many activities are dedicated to household matters and some of

them involve magic rituals believed to strengthen the land’s fertility. Even a simple slide down an ice slope by a woman was a part of the ritual – “the longer the ride, the taller the flax will grow in the summer.” Maslenitsa week is spent in dressing up, riding sledges, building snow fortresses, and heavy drinking.

The seven days of Maslenitsa can be named as: Monday-Meeting, Tuesday- Games, Wednesday-Feasting, Thursday-Revelry/the Broad Thursday, Friday-Mothers-in-Law Eve, Saturday- Sister-in-Law’s Gathering, and Sunday-Forgiveness Day.

The most crucial one is the last day, and on this day people go to cemeteries and leave pancakes on the graves of their ancestors. Everybody asks one another for forgiveness and vow with the words, “God will forgive you.” All the food that was left is eaten, along with a piece of ryebread and salt, as a reminder of the coming Lent. Bonfires will be lit and a straw personification of Maslenitsa may be burned during the festivities in order to say farewell to winter. Sometimes a woman from the community will be chosen to dress as Maslenitsa. Tradition says that this woman should be cheerfully thrown into a snowbank in order to complete the welcome of spring.

On this day, the Maslenitsa dolls continue to burn. After they turn to ashes, young people jump over the fire, and this action ends Maslenitsa.


“I honestly don’t know what happened,” said Eddie Tuduri while telling his story when we first met in the Canadian Embassy Residence in Ankara, reflecting on one September afternoon in 1997 when he decided to body-surf one last wave near his home in Carpinteria, California. He broke his neck and went paralyzed, had surgeries later with the hopes that he could live - but perhaps with a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Whatever happened that day has completely changed his life along with his perspective. You

will find the answer to “How?” in his own words following this report. By the time he left rehab in late 1997, Tuduri had established The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP), a nonprofit rehabilitative program for kids and adults with developmental disabilities. TRAP has since, spread to 35 cities in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.

When IIS gave the Foreign Mother of the Year Award to Mrs. Raja Bailey last year, few had any

IIS Hosts TRAP Project in Ankara

by Sefa Denizoğ[email protected]

A Week of Catching the Wave of Sound with Special Education Kids

idea where this would extend. When many were fiddling with small details for the opening ceremony of the Support Project for Y. Karaman OÇEM early in last December, an e-mail from Mrs. Bailey was in the inbox of Tuduri asking whether he would like to visit and share his methodology with challenged kids in Ankara. He took the chance gladly and modestly, with no hesitation, although it’s a real challenge for him to fly overseas with all the hassles between flights and gates and so on.

IIS had organized a compact 1-week program for Eddie to attend Y. Karaman Center for Kids with Autism (OÇEM), Çağdaş Eğitim Uygulama Merkezi (EUM)- another state school for special education with around 200 children attending, as well as two privately-owned special education centers, and finally a conference on Friday. This conference was made with the intention that if Tuduri could not attend every special education center as planned; at least there would be a chance for those attending the meeting to have a solid idea of his program and methodology.

A very nice and warm dinner was served in the Canadian Embassy Residence on the next day Eddie arrived Ankara, in order to become acquainted with the school administrators where this program was to be demonstrated, the projects’ supporters, and IIS. That was not only a welcome, but also a gathering of all the project’s participants for the first time.

The first school to which this methodology was

introduced was Y. Karaman OÇEM, and on Monday the 14th, the special education teachers there were eagerly waiting for Eddie, and Mrs. Bailey to show up and to share the experience. This first day in Y. Karaman OÇEM was only for teachers, and only theoretical and personal background of the project was covered in detail after which questions by the teachers were answered.

On the next day in Çağdaş EUM, Mrs. Nurşen Şanal, the principle of the school, welcomed Eddie and us in a very warm environment and walked us to the seminar room filled with another twenty-something teachers ready to share a theoretical groundwork of

the methodology for about one and a half hour until lunch break. We shared the children’s meal, and when Eddie’s stomach gave signs of displeasure, the solution was only a teaspoonful of ground Turkish coffee with a few drops of lemon squeezed. Eddie was already wondering what magic wand touched his stomach 10 minutes later. The afternoon session was held with kids that were able to follow instructions to demonstrate a sample class hour in action.

On Wednesday, the second day in Y. Karaman OÇEM, it was all real-life application of the methods and applications that were previously studied. A basic approach of one-to-one interaction with kids clearly paid off. One beautiful non-verbal girl with autism and with stunning eyes who was reported


to be constantly having problems with continuous eye-contact was looking right through Eddie’s eyes into his heart after hearing a couple of beats of the tenderhearted master.

The last two privately owned special education centers were covered on Thursday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Beyaz Special Education Center (Özel Eğitim Merkezi - ÖEM) in Demirtepe kindly ordered us lunch after a very joyful session with 6 children in their school taken care by a bright-minded team of teachers full of vim. In the afternoon, we headed to İlk Alkım ÖEM, where Eddie had the chance to share his ideas with a proficient team of special education specialists. He was all in when we left the school late in the afternoon, but on our way home he carried a peaceful smile of rejoice on his face that portrayed the deep roots of his Mediterranean genes.

IIS’ team was in a rush for the big event on Friday the 18th: Eddie’s Conference was announced by the Education Directorate of Ankara Province to all schools governed by them. The conference started with background information regarding the Support for Autism Project for Y. Karaman OÇEM, and Mr. Murat Fatsa from IIS thanked all the project’s participants, starting with Mrs. Bailey and Mr. David Bickford (who kindly provided tickets for Eddie’s

long flight to Ankara), to each and all the teachers and special education experts. At the end of the conference, there was a demonstration of the method with a couple of kids from the schools we attended throughout the week. This was able to show what the methodology provides to special education kids, and that is, listening to each other, taking turns, respecting and appreciating other persons, and thereby communicating better, and enjoying the delicate taste of being applauded resulting in higher self-esteem.

I’ve lived and loved my life as a drummer in the music business since I played my first professional gig at age 12 in 1959. My career has spanned over 40 years and encompassed lots of musical situations. Ten thousand gigs and ten thousand players, decades of music filled my every waking moment. I was privileged to work, and many times record as a sideman with artists including Delaney Bramlett, Bobby Whitlock, The Beach Boys, Dobie

Gray, Del Shannon, Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band, Dr. John, Ike Turner, Brenda Russell, Marianne Faithful, Tata Vega, Ronnie Laws, Dwight Yoakum, Johnny Rivers, Freddy Fender and Charlie Rich as well as Jimmy Messina and JD Souther.

On September 6th 1997, I was catching the last wave at the beach in Carpinteria. I had played the night before in a fun dump in San Louis Obispo and

by Eddie Tuduri [email protected]

The TRAP Story


was looking forward to another funky gig with Skye Ferguson, one of my favorite blues artists here on the Central Coast. As I swam into the crest of the wave it grabbed and slammed me into the ocean bottom. No hesitation, no continuity, just wham, bam, crack! Now, three feet under water, my body floating into what seemed a time without end.

As many times as I’ve tried to articulate it, words

always seem to pale the experience. I felt myself drifting towards an indescribable calm. If you’ve ever had a beloved pet or have one now, then you know what its like to experience the love in their eyes as they look into yours. I had a dog for many years, his name was Bach and we were as close as two living, breathing entities could possibly be. When Bach looked at me I could feel the unconditional love, trust, and acceptance he felt for me, there was

“Drums transcend normal logic; the inherent healing and positive qualities have enhanced something very personal to me, my own recovery.”

nothing like it. If I could describe this place I was drifting towards, I guess I could say; it was like falling into Bach’s eyes. And then, at the risk of sounding as if I’d completely taken leave of my senses, in this spiritual abyss through a wave of infinite space, I could see someone who was apparently holding on to what looked like a tornado, really, I know it’s the epitome of out, but…. though spinning fiercely, he seemed to be hanging on effortlessly with one hand and beckoning me with the other. Lets go, follow me, its time to go. Some years ago, a dear friend of mine passed away and though I couldn’t be sure, it felt like this very same friend, this amazing energy was there to guide me on this enticing path towards a kinder, infinite world. As I moved willingly in this way spiritually, I could see my body floating in the opposite direction. Yet not completely detached, I knew I would have to drown to let go completely. There was no doubt I wanted to continue on this journey and so I opened my mouth to let the water in. I knew that this act of drowning would liberate my spirit from body. When I opened my mouth to let this happen, I felt a strong hand placed firmly in my

back as I was lifted up and out of the water. Instead of the water rushing in, I took a deep breath of air. I saw the beautiful Carpinteria sky and in the blink of an eye, I was back. I was clearly disappointed, the first words I uttered were, “Oh Shit.” I was placed gently on the shore, but I was totally paralyzed.

For lack of any other descriptive adjective, a flock of angels disguised as lifeguards, and paramedics gathered me up, body, mind, and spirit, including my splintered neck, and rushed me off to the hospital. Though divine hands clearly played a significant roll in this rescue, these precious souls served as incomparable partners.

There I met the good doctor Scott Conner. The operation was a six-hour affair where they took a bone from my hip and fused three cervical vertebrae, 5, 6, and 7, and then merged my neck with 4 screws and a metal plate. Not exactly Frankenstein but, not exactly not!

After a week in ICU I was transferred to The Rehabilitation Institute in Santa Barbara. The rehab was indeed a safe haven, a place to heal and re-think my life. I asked a friend to bring me a pair of drum sticks and a couple of percussion toys, not that I was able to hold anything yet, but it seemed the right time to start putting my new life in motion, motion being the operative word. I had to look at the very real possibility that I may never play another note. Can you imagine this? I can’t remember a moment in my life when drums and drumming wasn’t a part of it.

The accident was like looking at life through a brand new lens and with what I had to face, living in the now was paramount. With little physical prowess I held the stick clumsily in my right hand and tapped on the side of my bed. Not bad … I thought. My soul hadn’t been affected despite my physicality. And why would it be? Rhythm comes from a place deep inside all of us, a place no physical trauma can reach. It moves us in a positive direction mentally,


physically, and spiritually. As I tapped away I thought to ask Oscar, the aide in my ward to join in. I gave him a simple rhythm and he played along perfectly. With this little groove we had happening, a little old lady, Edith, rolled in from the ladies side of the ward and said, “Eddie, I’d like to play too.” Knowing that she was suffering from spinal cord surgery and in constant pain I thought, why not, it might take her mind off the reality of her condition if only for a little while. Oscar handed Edith a cowbell and I asked her to play the “ands” 1 (and) 2 (and) 3 (and) 4 (and). She didn’t quite grasp the concept and opted for another beat … in the mean time, Ted, another ward mate proclaimed, “Hey! I can play that part Eddie. Give me the cowbell.” Oscar hesitated fearing Ted’s condition being as weak as he was by way of pancreatic cancer, diabetes, recently having suffered a stroke and to add insult to injury, had crashed

his motorcycle and broken every bone in his body resulting in blood clots. “Go ahead Oscar,” I said. Oscar placed the cow bell on Ted’s chest and put the drum stick in his one functional hand, in a split second Ted had the “ands” playing loud and clear. “Hey Eddie! Don’t forget about me!” said Edith, “I want to play too.” “No problem honey, simply clap your hands in four, 1,2,3,4!” I replied. Three more incapacitated people would be hard to find, even in our rehab, but we were cooking like peas in a pot! Nurses and aides were dancing, doctors were smiling and the feeling in my ward was up and happy for the first time since I arrived, we were alive!

Using simply musical notation to identify beats, we guided the fun we were having into therapeutic successes. Therapists from every discipline in the hospital were dropping by with patients to utilize the drum therapy as it fit into their various goals. Libby

Whaley, the director of Recreational Therapy took an active interest in our classes and began lending her expertise on a regular basis, and finally showed it to other therapists at conferences both regional and national.

It was at one of these conferences that I met a recreational therapist named Suzy Getty who would introduce me to the field of developmental disabilities. Karl Perazzo joined us along with Walfredo Reyes Sr. They dazzled the audience with some pretty exceptional playing during our presentation. Suzy enjoyed our workshop and felt it may be something the kids she worked with would enjoy. This was a learning experience that touched me deeply as I watched the intellectual and developmentally challenged kids play and laugh with Suzy’s gentle instruction integrating the drums and percussion into existing therapeutic modalities. During this time I also introduced the program to other facilities and organizations serving people with developmental challenges. Many have since adopted the classes. It’s much like learning drums. Years of lessons, study with different teachers, lots of reading, writing and practice and then the gigs, lots of gigs. I now teach folks to become facilitators and always stress that once they’ve accomplished the basics, personal style is everything.

Our target audience is primarily people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, though we work in typical schools where inclusion is practiced.

The Rhythmic Arts Project is not a drum circle. We are a very serious and proven learning curve having met the standards for education in several states where we facilitate. By integrating drums and percussion into existing teaching methods/modalities, we address basic life skills such as turn taking, spatial awareness, kinesthetic awareness, fine and gross motor skills, lateral concepts, prepositional concepts, adding/subtracting, times tables, focus, memory and visual and auditory perceptions. Teaching occurs in an environment that is fun and not threatening so participants develop improved confidence and a more positive self-image.

There has been much personal satisfaction in these past thirteen years. The most cherished moments having enjoyed the unconditional love, devotion, and dedication shown by all the people surrounding the project. Thank God, drumming is still one of the most important things in my life today. That I can play at all is a blessing and I’m grateful for the joy it brings me. I’m having more fun than I ever did behind the kit. Drums transcend normal logic; the inherent healing and positive qualities have enhanced something very personal to me, my own recovery.


Yunus Emre Institute, which seeks to promote international friendship with its activities, was established in 2009 and conducts educational activities and scientific research and applications in order to meet the aims stipulated in the Law. Among the activities of the Institute is to conduct research for the improved promotion and teaching of Turkish culture, history, language and literature, supporting scientific studies by cooperating with various organisations and informing the wider public with various publication of the results of such endeavours, all in accordance with the aims of its establishment.

Yunus Emre Institute aims to contribute to the training of competent academicians and researchers in the fields of Turkish language, history, culture, art and music and attempts to provide training through certification programs.

Yunus Emre Institute conducts activities to establish Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centres in different countries throughout the world to promote Turkish language, culture, arts and history. On one hand, the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centres will be contributing to the promotion of Turkey through scientific projects, cultural activities and courses,

Yunus Emre Institute

by A. Murat [email protected]

The Institute aims to promote Turkey’s cultural, linguistic, and artistic heritage; foster friendly relations with other countries and provide opportunities for intercultural exchange.

while on the other hand, the Centres also aim to strengthen friendship ties and increase the cultural exchange with other countries.

Turkish language courses conducted at the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centres provide services for those wishing to learn Turkish as a foreign language and also for those Turkish citizens living abroad to further develop their own language, thereby strengthening the continued cultural ties they have with Turkey.

Prof. Ali Fuat Bilkan, President of Yunus Emre Institute: “Our centers began their activities in almost 12 countries and we will rapidly increase the number of the centers all around the world in the coming period in order to promote Turkey, Turkish culture, art, music and language. Turkey has started to be a big concern not only for the people from Balkans and Middle East but also for everyone with its rich culture, traditions, dynamic population and economy. Furthermore more and more people started to be interested in learning Turkish language. Striving to increase the international effectiveness of Turkish language, the Institute aims to develop a Turkish Proficiency Exam (TYS) of international standards and improve the insufficiencies in this aspect. The Institute is also conducting various activities and projects aimed at promoting Turkish language and literature, culture and arts in the best possible manner for its successful dissemination in Yunus Emre Turkish Culture Centers all a round the world. We will support the Turcology Studies in order to make the works on Turkey attractive.”

Yunus Emre Cooperates with other Institutions, Universities and NGOs

The Cooperation with national and international institutions includes joint project and activities. On 27 July 2010, Prof. Dr. Ali Fuat Bilkan President of the Institute on behalf of Yunus Emre Institute and Rosemary Arnott Director of Black Sea and Turkey on behalf of British Council signed a protocol within the framework of the UK Prime Minister’s official visit to Turkey. Based on this protocol, Yunus Emre Institute and British Council will develop projects together in Turkey or abroad . The Institute has cooperated with many universities and institutions to fulfill its goals.


Teaching Turkish as Foreign Language

The Turkish language has gradually gained importance in several parts of the world in line with Turkey’s increasing prominence in the world. Although Turkish is spoken (with different dialects) by nearly 200 million people throughout the world and despite the fact that it is the seventh most spoken language following Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, English, French, and Russian teaching and education of Turkish has not become as widespread as these other languages.

Yunus Emre Institute aims to fulfill the following fundamental objectives, among others: to meet the need for lecturers in the field of Turkish language teaching and education; to promote Turkey, the Turkish language, Turkish history, culture, and art; to train competent lecturers, academicians and researchers in Turkish language, history, culture, art, and music; and to realize instructional and educational implementations with the certificate programs.

Yunus Emre Turkish Culture Centers

Yunus Emre Institute opened twelwe Turkish Cultural Centers in different countries. First Center was opened in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina on 19th October 2009, then Albenia, Macedonia, Egypt, Kazakhistan, Britain, Syria, Belgium, Algeria and Lebanon. President Abdullah Gül attended the opening of Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centers in Astana and London. Speaking at the opening President Gül stated the importance of the opening of Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center, “Great countries not only exist with their diplomats and ambassadors in other countries. They show

themselves in other activities” he said. They are not only teaching Turkish, but also Turkish culture and art will be taught here. In England, the people who are operating in different areas will direct their work at this center like an orchestra in harmony. The Institute aims to open Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center in Tokyo, Paris , Berlin and Moscow soon.

Yunus Emre Institute Attends US Summit and Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy

The summit held in Washington D.C. between 16-19 November 2010 with the chairmanship of the British Council, as well as Yunus Emre Institute, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cultural Unit from France, Goethe Institute from Germany, the Confucius Institute of China, Japan Foundation, Adam Mickiewicz Institute from Poland represented on highest level at the international summit.

For different societies to get to know each other better and different cultures can be more effectively represented in the world, therefore the non-commercial and non-governmental organizations have important tasks and for this purpose joint activities have increasing importance, those were the issues discussed at the sessions.

To open a new channel of communication “Citizen Diplomat” was introduced and the concept and the content of it opened for discussion. “Civil Diplomacy” expressed in the slogan of “Every citizen is a diplomat”, it is based on the understanding of the ordinary individuals to undertake the most effective and important task of promoting their own culture. The Individuals who are without any official purpose and working in organizations outside the government, aiming to enhance the understanding of the possibilities of cooperation around the world. Also, diversity is not a threat, should be recognized as an element of richness and diversity and thus aims to reduce prejudice between communities and strengthen democracy in this way.

Prof. Ali Fuat Bilkan, President of Yunus Emre Institute

Throughout the years, research studies have shown us that children who are born out of interracial relationships may suffer from categorization and racism. While parents coming from different cultures, but with the same race have not demonstrated much negativity, parents belonging to different races, in particular Black and White have shown a higher impact in affecting a child. Take for instance, a child born from a Black mother and a White father, what is this child categorized as? Black, White, or Other? Often times we are required to label ourselves according to our race, then what is a bi-racial child supposed to consider him or herself? While many of us may not make such a big deal out of this, and really just accept the fact that someone is ‘bi-racial, Mulatto, or mixed,’ there are children who have grown into adulthood with much confusion, embarrassment, and even

resentment towards their parents for placing them in such situations. These individuals often times have been the target of racism, criticism, abuse, tease, and much intolerance coming from schoolmates, strangers, and even their own family. For a growing child to be seen as ‘different’ because of his or her race sets the stone for future causes of low self-esteem, depression, loneliness, etc etc. It is simply part of normal development for a child to feel the need to be accepted, to belong- yet many bi-racial children stand alone. Neither race fully accepts them and they are left with a feeling of emptiness and seclusion. Whether parents are interracial, intercultural, each coming from different parts of the world, it is important to focus on the positive aspects that having a mix of cultures can bring about to a child.

by Yuzbeny Escobar [email protected]

“Intercultural Marriages and their Children”

Nothing happens to be more welcoming and fulfilling than the arrival of a child in one’s home. The excitement and joy captivates everyone’s heart as this new life embarks on its own destiny. As parents, many responsibilities and duties fall upon us in order to help this new individual be guided into the right direction. Parents, whether sharing the same culture or not, must set their differences aside in the hopes of raising this child in an appropriate manner. Perhaps coming to terms in how to raise a child may seem easier for a couple that shares the same culture. After all, the child will learn one culture, one nationality, and most likely only one language; hence, no difficulties are expected within the cultural aspect. So what is likely to happen to a child who is born from parents of different cultures, races, nationalities, with different languages, and even coming from very different lands? Research has demonstrated some negative and positive aspects affecting such children.


While the negative effects of intercultural/interracial relationships can be even devastating to a child, there are numerous advantages to children born out of these types of couples. Children who have parents that do not share the same culture, race, nationality, language, religion and belief system can grow up to be more accepting and tolerant of others. Having been exposed to each parents’ side can teach them to accept others, and understand that although different, individuals can still love and respect one another. Also, these children have the great opportunity of learning a second or even a third language naturally. A multicultural, biracial, or multinational child has the advantage of seeing the world through three different sets of eyes. There is the father’s, mother’s, and his or her own perspective. All these differences enrich and teach a child to be open-minded and tolerant.

For a child to be the offspring of multicultural parents means they need to have the mental and emotional tools to face adverse situations, as well as curiosity, and even admiration. While there may be individuals who criticize such children, there will be others who will show great interest in learning what it is and feels like to be a multicultural child. It is important for parents of multicultural/biracial

children to teach them how to defend themselves and be proud of whom they are, and where they come from. It is essential for both parents to each inculcate their culture upon the child, so the child has different solid roots. Without a doubt, parents should take the opportunity to teach their children as many languages as they speak. The best time for an individual to learn a language is from childhood to puberty if the language is taught by native speakers. Parents speaking their native language will cause the child to learn it naturally. Being aware of each parent’s culture is a must and a feeling of pride should be felt within. As parents, it is necessary to teach our children how to stand up for who they are and demand respect.

Perhaps years ago it was not common, nor allowed to have multicultural and interracial marriages; however, with the ever changing times, most societies have evolved tolerating such occurrences. With such technological advancements, meeting people from other countries is at the reach of our fingertips. In an era where international relationships have expanded in all aspects, preventing these types of relationships is inevitable. Engaging in multicultural marriages demonstrates to the world that regardless of our race, culture, ethnicity, religion, language, and differences, we can love and respect each other. Most importantly, we can live peacefully in the same home sharing our differences and teaching them to our children.


The concept of “family” is the most sacred building block of every society. Today, the sacredness and being the basic structure are emphasized in the definition of the institution of the family in all sources. It is sacred because it is the smallest unit containing everything a society produces, from the traditions and customs to language, religion and all other things.

The family is defined by some sociologists, as “a group of people who are related due to a blood-relation between them,” as “a group tied with marriage, blood-relation or adoption and established relations based on family roles,” or as “a social

group which has been structured based on blood-relation and the main function of which is to feed and socialize the newborn children.”

The concept of family is too big a value to fit inside the definition “the smallest unit in society which is based on marriage and blood-relation and composed of the relationships between husband, wife, children and siblings.” Though it is based only on its material aspect and addressed on the basis of individuals and the continuation of the generations in many sociology textbooks, the family in fact means sharing. Sharing of the individual’s loneliness, and solidarity and happiness among family members.

The Most Sacred Social Treasure:

Family

by Emel Arslan [email protected]

Today, almost every society wants to change the individualized structure in order to regain the lost values, to satisfy the longing for the past and to attain peace. Sometimes we seek this change in television serials, and sometimes we seek our grandparents in the pages of old tale books. In fact, when we look at the essence, everything of course constitutes a value per se. However, living only for existence results in alienation from the emotions of love, respect, solidarity and belonging.

As a result of the research on the matter, two basic family models have been defined. In this classification, “extended family” is defined as composed of the mother, father, children and grandparents; and “nuclear family” is defined as composed of the mother, father and the children. In the extended family structure, three generations live together. In this type of family, cultural values are transmitted more effectively, and sharing of emotions

such as love, respect, empathy and communication is experienced in an intensive way.

Extended family is functional. It collects all cultural and social values within its body and transfers them through generations. An individual who has grown in a crowded environment where knowledge, love and compassion are shared can be giving in the society he/she lives in. Such individuals are generally healthier in mental and physical terms.

The individuals who use correct communication techniques in bilateral relations, and keep their sharing at a maximum level are generally the individuals with a high level of self-confidence who grew up in happy families. Listening to the unique experiences of grandparents, which can be found in no book, and feeling their compassionate hearts together with yours is important both for parents and for grandchildren. Grandparents, who have


attained peace in their lives as a result of plenty of experience, have an inclination to devote themselves to their grandchildren and to try to make them happy. Sometimes they fulfill the parent’s deficiencies by providing guidance to the children.

Large families experience both the hardest days and the most beautiful days together. In the families where there is no sense of loneliness and the most special forms of happiness are experienced on special days, people experience a unique sense of sincerity and compassion. Most importantly, healthy

family members are grown in such families and these healthy individuals establish healthy families in the future; hence, establishing a social structure with high moral values.

Maybe we need to reconsider the longing we feel for the peace of the past by reviewing our family structure. Maybe, instead of individualization to such degree and thus being overwhelmed by our problems, we need to establish large families in which we will be able to share our joys and sorrows, and will have a higher sense of confidence.


Ankara CastleThe exact date of construction of Ankara Castle is unknown. The castle, which dates back to the beginning of the 2nd century B.C. when the Galatians were dominant power, changed hands from time to time throughout its history and went through many restorations during the Roman and Byzantine times.


Having been incorporated into the Seljukid Empire in 1073, the castle went through repairs several times under the Ottoman rule. The castle has two sections: inner castle and outer castle. Although the outer castle has twenty towers only a few traces has reached today. However, many parts of the inner walls are standing today with 42 towers. The area within the castle walls is also heavily filled with many traditional Ankara houses remained from the Ottoman times and some ofthem are now in service as restaurants offering traditional Turkish cuisine.

İf you have a chance to visit Ankara castle make sure that you walk through the old Ankara houses and at the end climb up the south walls , where you find the best view of the city and take excellent photos.

As walking down the castle you can visit the old shops in Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu , where myriad things ranging from traditional fabrics, hand-woven carpets and leather products can be found at bargain prices. Bakırcılar Çarşısı (Bazaar of Coppersmiths) is particularly popular, and many interesting items, not just of copper, can be found here like jewelry, carpets, costumes, antiques and embroidery. Up the hill to the castle gate, there are many shops selling a huge and fresh collection of spices, dried fruits, nuts, and other produce.

Thanks to modern computer technology, classic phonograph recordings are totally forgotten but if you like nostalgyia music you can listen to some excellent examples in “Gramafon Kafe” (phonograph cafe) on Koyunpazarı Yokuşu street.

Ankara Castle

To little surprise of those familiar with the realities of the region, the status quo in the Middle East has already begun to be shaken by a chain of events that erupted in Tunisia. Long existing social and economic problems coupled with lack of satisfactory representation mechanisms have finally reached a boiling point. It is vital for world leaders to make accurate analyses of the change in order to make sure that it does no harm neither to the inhabitants of the region nor to the world in general. Given its ambitious diplomatic, economic and social engagement in that part of the world for the last decade, Turkey seems to be a good observation point for understanding the dynamics and the direction of this new era.

A recent survey, “Perceptions of Turkey in the Middle East 2010” conducted by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) in Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia found that Turkey’s popularity in the region has increased to 85 %, a five percent jump compared to previous year’s findings, making it the most favorable country for the people of its southern neighbors. So how did Turkey, a country that was portrayed for decades as a former colonial power that turned its back to Arab brethren for a futile journey towards the West, become such a popular actor in the Middle East, and what does that mean as far as the turmoil on the Arab street is concerned?

by Emre Göksu [email protected]

Change in the Middle East: Where Turkey Stands


The collapse of the former image began with the “Zero Problem” policy at the strategic level. This new perspective was operationalized with an ongoing series of visa waiver agreements that added numerous people to people channels to government level cooperation. Waves of business and touristic visits from the region enabled the Arab public opinion to go beyond outdated political discourses they were exposed to and discover modern Turkey’s tireless quest for democracy and economic wealth. Thanks to their unmatched popularity, Turkish TV channels turned this discovery into a massive popular trend.

Surely, it will be an oversimplification to limit Turkey’s share in the change to the popular realm. Its strong military, dynamic middle class, somehow advancing democracy and vibrant civil society together make Turkey one of the rarest combinations of hard and soft powers in the world. The name Republic of Turkey as a NATO ally, G-20 player, UN Security Council member, EU candidate, OIC head and most important of all, a defiant actor in the international arena has undoubtedly resonated very positively throughout the region where a psychology of defeat has been dominant for decades. One does not need to refer to Rapahel Patai’s controversial “The Arab Mind” in order to comprehend the impact of Turkey’s new diplomatic language on the Arab mind.

This image was further consolidated with the credibility gained by Turkey through its mediation attempts between Israel - Syria, Hamas - Fatah, Afghanistan - Pakistan etc. Following a value sensitive pragmatism, Turkish leaders tried to communicate the idea that solutions should and can be generated among equals within the region. Though not the sole reason, this entire opening by Turkey, which some rushed to label as “Neo-Ottomanism” or “axis-shift,” has played a key role in the questioning of the status quo by the Arab public.

A Test for the West

The crisis also unleashed a plethora of criticisms regarding the established alliances between autocratic regimes and the United States. Danielle Pletka of American Enterprise Institute has put it very clearly: “We have an opportunity to right our ways and stand with the people of the Middle East - not forgetting Iran - in their quest for basic freedom.” There is a reason for Pletka to make her reservation on Iran while talking about siding with people and that reason is not AEI’s neo-conservative adrenalin

only. It did not take much before Iran’s spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei praised the uprising in Egypt as an “Islamic liberation movement.” Khmanaei also did not hesitate to suggest Iranian Revolution as a model for the protestors.

People have their God given right to worry about whatever they want. There is no denial of this sort of concerns on the Turkish side. The timing of Khamanei’s remarks is meaningful as they came shortly after the Turkish PM’s urge for addressing Egyptian people’s democratic demands. It will be helpful at this point to remember what former Undersecretary of Turkish Foreign Ministry Uğur Ziyal had said days before Khamanei’s speech: “It is true that stability in the region is always beneficial for Turkey, while Iran is benefiting from all instabilities.” However, the Arab public opinion is much more oriented towards the Turkish Dream rather than the Iranian Revolution. In fact, why don’t we just think


the other way around and weigh the possibility of “Iran becoming an Egypt”?

It is impossible to close our eyes to the risk of the Arab Middle East being dragged into some type of an extremist vacuum. However, depriving people from their democratic rights or remaining indifferent to their demands from now on will yield catastrophic results. In Einstein’s words, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” The genie is out of the bottle and change in the Arab world is irreversible. Although there are still some who hopelessly try to market the long expired notion of “stability versus democracy,” the world has come to understand that this logic brings only cosmetic stability at its best and eventually backfires. Containing threats should not cost any people their democratic rights.

This is an invaluable opportunity to end the century long resource curse of the Middle East but there is no one-size-fits-all model for transition. Turkey is sensitively refraining from a patronizing attitude such as a self proclaimed model role. However, given its 50 year uphill battle for liberties, it possesses a rich repertoire of valuable inputs for a successful democratic process in the region. Egypt’s Ambassador to Ankara Abderahman Salaheldin candidly sets the ground rule: “We share many features, people have similarities, but the Egyptian nation has its unique circumstances and characteristics. Egypt is not Turkey and Turkey is not Egypt. This is why only the people of each country know what is good for them. However, because of interaction we see a lot of good experiences that can be shared with other Muslim countries and developing counties. Uniqueness does not mean that we cannot learn from each other.”

IIS - It’s been 2.5 years for you in Turkey. How would you describe Turkish people?

H.E Korsunsky - Young and dynamic! I’ve been to Turkey many times since 1999 and when I arrived here again in 2005-06, it was a shock with a contrast within a term of 7-8 years. Ankara became a different city.

IIS - Do you have any favorite Turkish word(s)?

H.E Korsunsky - There are many actually, but the one I like the most is “Buyrun”. Unfortunately I couldn’t learn Turkish properly but I can express myself when I need so.

IIS – Are there any Ukrainian words in Turkish, or vice versa?

H.E Korsunsky – A lot, but we of course don’t know who taught whom. For instance, “kilim, çay, bardak, tutun, kulak” and so on. There is also a theory; as you know many Ukrainian surnames end with “-ko”, like Shevchenko etc, and some suppose that they are actually “köy (village)” but of course no one can say that for sure.

IIS - What are other similarities between Ukraine and Turkey in culture, art and perhaps daily life?

H.E Korsunsky – Well, extreme hospitality is one of the things that came to my mind. You see, even under the harsh conditions through

Soviet era, when Ukraine was in deficit of almost everything, if you visited a Ukrainian family, you would have seen that they shared whatever they had with you.

We of course had many other kinds of interactions in the past as well, specifically in military; then Ottoman Empire Army was on our side against common enemies. Now it’s both fun and at the same time sad to realize that we were much closer in the history and much more friendly with Islam world rather than with, say, Catholics which were Christians like us. But I am glad that now we have excellent relations with all our partners – on the West, East and South.

IIS – What are the most surprising experiences of yours in Turkey so far?

IIS Interview with H.E. Dr. Sergiy KORSUNSKY, Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara


INTERVIEW


H.E Korsunsky –First, why would so many people, I mean Turkish drivers, incline to commit suicide simultaneously every morning? (Laughs) It’s unbelievable how all of them succeed to survive as well, sort of a miracle happening every day. The second thing I find really surprising is why so few people is able to speak a foreign language. In such a dynamic country which has been in negotiations with EU for the last 40 years, one would expect at least the young people to speak foreign languages better.

IIS - What characteristics of Turkish people do you like the most?

H.E Korsunsky – Friendship and openness to new opportunities and challenges. I was very pleased to see how easily Turkish businessmen organized to go and explore Ukraine with H.E. Prime

Minister R.T. Erdoğan and cooperated during his last visit to Kiev.

Over 600 businessmen! In Ukraine it’s not easy to get 600 people and make them go somewhere, almost impossible. Here, it’s very easy.

IIS – What are the important shared points in history, perhaps except Roxolana and Suleiman the Magnificent?

H.E Korsunsky – Well, Roxolana herself was not alone, actually there was a second Ukrainian figure among high-profile Ottomans; Hatice Turhan Sultan. She was the mother of Mehmet IV. In spite of some minor hard times between two countries in the past, in 1648 an agreement was signed between then Cossack State, the Ukrainian government then, and Ottomans. It was one of the first agreements between Ukrainians and another country. On the contrary, Ottomans helped us maintain our independence. In 1922, Ukraine was recognized as an independent republic by Turkey with high vision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

IIS – What’s the image of Turkey in Ukraine?

H.E Korsunsky - It is very good of course and supported by huge number of activities of Turkish companies. During the recent years Turkish companies carried out 128 projects successfully worth more than 3 billion USD and some other very major projects are under way. Like Boryspil Airport and many office buildings right in the center of Kiev, and many other projects including but not limited to roads, trading centers and so on. It’s now very difficult to find a city without a Turkish project in it. And I believe more than 500.000 Ukrainian tourists every year in Antalya only is another confirmation of good image of Turkey in Ukraine. You might expect more number of tourists this year because of Egypt’s situation now.

IIS – What are your key priorities in making Ukraine better known in Turkey?

H.E Korsunsky - We are now trying to be more


visible in Turkey. With Ministry of culture and tourism we will sign a bilateral program for next two years. We will try to promote the tourism of culture via increasing number of artists and cultural contacts visiting each country reciprocally and be more visible. For instance, last year we made a first small step and organized a concert of famous Ukrainian rock band “Okean Elsi” in Antalya and it was very well received.Also our teams like to spend training seasons in Antalya as well. And by the way, I hope Turkey will finally be able to qualify for 2012. If you get to the finals, I expect that a lot of Turkish fans will go to Ukraine for Euro-2012.

IIS – You have already mentioned investment climate in Ukraine and Turkey. What can be done to improve investment and trade relations between?

H.E Korsunsky – Well, we are doing great now with last year’s approximately 5 Billion USD trade and it has increased around 30% compared to 2009. It was actually better in 2008 but then in 2009 trade decreased because of the global crisis by %50 of 2008.

IIS – How about the potential then?

H.E Korsunsky – The potential is huge and Prime Minister Erdogan was extremely optimistic in Kiev. He said in 2015 we must have at least 10 billion and in 2020 we must have 20 billion dollars of trade and actually officially it was announced we have started negotiations for free trade agreement that is the most important we can do. Last year two new lines, ferry lines were opened between Ukraine and Turkey. Samsun-Odessa and Istanbul-Odessa and in addition to already existing from Zonguldak and Istanbul as well. We think that approximately 2 billion dollars of Turkish investments in Ukraine is not enough it is very small amount compared to the potential. Definitely it is up to investors to decide what countries are more attractive but sometimes it is normal discussion between diplomats and

business people they always complain “Ooo you should improve your business climate and do this and that”. I always ask one question: name me the country, please, where it is easy to do business and I will go there.

IIS - Your Excellency, what can you say about the future international energy policies in our common region?

H.E Korsunsky - Very good question. Energy is the number one priority for both of us, for Ukraine and Turkey. Turkey became a transit country because of the construction of the Baku – Tbilisi – Ceyhan pipeline, the importance of which cannot be exaggerated. If you construct the Nabucco Pipeline, and I sincerely wish you do, you will see that the geopolitical role of Turkey, its international position, its weight in the international arena will grow enormously. Before my present appointment, I taught an energy diplomacy course at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, and I had been telling to my students: in our world it’s not military, it’s not just the territory, it’s a technology which changes a country. Once you acquire, say, nuclear technology, you are different from yesterday. It’s the same for oil and gas. Once you have a pipeline in your territory, so many countries are interested in this pipeline that it changes your attitude completely. So yesterday you were not a transit country, legally. Once you have a pipeline, then you have a different legal environment. That means different geopolitics and economy. From our point of view, we think that South Stream is a disastrous project; both in terms of economy and environment. We can do this job better and plus Nabucco. We are very comfortable with Nabucco and have absolutely nothing against that. Why? Because Nabucco will bring gas from Caspian basin and Caucasus to Europe, and that will be not a Russian gas. That’s the point: bringing the non-Russian gas to Europe. If South Stream is designed to bring Russian gas to the EU, then what will it do new? It will not change anything in regard of geopolitics, nor in prices. If you have Nabucco, that will change

everything. You’ll have Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey as key countries in bringing gas to EU. And that will change a lot in your discussions and talks with the EU. And it will bring a different gas, the Caspian gas, which will create market in Central Europe. The natural gas is a commodity that one cannot store, the stored volumes are by no means comparable to the resource still down under, and once you discover and dig to extract it, you have to consume it, you can’t put it on the shelf. Therefore the Gazprom, wants long-term contracts to be sure that someone will buy it as they extract it and does not matter how much they need, what the price is, but only that they will buy it. That’s why they want 25-year contracts. If another gas from different resources, namely Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, appears on the market, consumers will have an opportunity to negotiate. That’s why we believe Nabucco is really a good project. I think if Turkey would be the moving force behind the project, then the project would become real sooner. Because Turkey is very dynamic, and Europe needs solution for its growing needs now.

IIS – What appeals the most to Ukrainian visitors when they come to Turkey?

H.E Korsunsky - Excellent service, beautiful nature, hospitality, marvelous food and so on. Also, we suggest our tourism agents in Ukraine to expand Turkey’s image beyond Antalya to a much greater cultural heritage mostly hidden to ordinary eyes of beach tourists. Once I was told a joke that northern tourists in Antalya know that they’re in Antalya, but don’t know that Antalya is in Turkey. (Laughs) This is a joke but has a sense in it. Five star all-inclusive hotels and lying on the beach for a month - that’s it? But Turkey is much bigger and richer in culture, just bring those people out of those hotels! They can have first quality Scotch in their homes but they can’t see this rich nature and culture anywhere else.

IIS – Where have you been to in Turkey so far, Your Excellency?

H.E Korsunsky - I’ve traveled from Mersin to Istanbul through all Mediterranean and Aegean coast to almost all Black Sea region and also to Konya. Well, since I was a kid, I remember that I’ve seen these whirling dervishes somewhere but I couldn’t tell where and never knew they were in Konya. When I visited Konya for the first time and saw them alive it was way different to feel that in person. Most don’t know that Konya was once the capital of Seljuks and I think Turkish tourism agencies are partly to be blamed here as they only promote the Turkish sea, beaches and the sun but no historical places, ski resorts, other attractions. Only a few know of Erzurum and Kayseri and Kartalkaya. Many people in Kiev asked me: “Can you name us something unusual to see and do in Turkey?” and I tell them to see historical and natural heritages in Turkey such as Cappadocia. They know very little about Turkey and some even do not know that Ephesus is in Turkey. Historical heritage is extremely huge here in Turkey but municipalities and local authorities should do something to make big attractions.

The tourism agencies should include other parts of Turkey into their destinations. Turkey should also have a cultural center in Kiev as Prime Minister H.E. Erdoğan said that Turkey is going to have one in Kiev. That is really important to promote cultural exchange, and there are basis to have a Turkish cultural center in Ukraine.

IIS - What do you think about Turkey’s EU accession process?

H.E Korsunsky - It is very long. You now I prefer to talk about EU expansion in terms of European Project. I mean the process of constructing a United Europe is a big success in spite of all the difficulties. From my point of view unless Turkey and Ukraine are in this Project it will not be completed. It does not matter how you call it and how long it takes as these are technical issues. You can negotiate for another term of five or fifteen years that is not the point. The question is whether the project will


be much better with us or without us. I think our membership will bring an advantage to Europe. Ukraine’s land and knowledge and Turkey’s young population, energy and ability to do business will energize European Union. The core of the European Project lies in its competitiveness. İf everything goes on as it is now it is hard to call EU competitive on the global scene. The future of the Union depends on its competitiveness with other big economies on the international market. If the Union includes new potentials such as Turkey and Ukraine it may have chance to compete with other economies. I hope this is the future of the European project and the only way to achieve success is to open borders for trade, services and people.

IIS - If you had a chance to change something in the world what would that be and why?

H.E Korsunsky - In the international area we have many faults due to history and traditions. For

example when we think about global economical crisis there is a lack of understanding that it is not temporary; it is intrinsic feature of the existing monetary system in the world which was brought to us after the Second World War. It is wrong system and I think it should be abolished at all. In order to change this you have to have a bold understanding and guts to do this. It is not easy but the system is intrinsically wrong and will lead to crisis one after another and it does not matter whether it calms down at the moment. Therefore I would rather concentrate not on temporary measures like making funds to support some countries because of the economical problems they had. What is going on now in the world economic system, they are trying to remove the consequences, not the reason. I call it era of weak leaders, those who do not want serious decisions, bold decisions. If tomorrow the Federal Reserve decides to print more a couple of trillion of dollars, they will do it. And you can do nothing, you will have to buy those dollars to support American

economy. Is that what we want? I was not surprised by the way, yesterday or the day before yesterday there were news which almost went unnoticed - finally in the USA, economists analyze the problem why the crisis started and they said the source of crisis was the Federal Reserve System! Why? Because they just print money to source their huge foreign debt, huge trade deficit. Something should be done. European Union tried to do something in different way, they established Euro and look where are they now? I mean, it was not probably the best policy, economic policy. So if I change something, I would change the system. I don’t know how. But definitely it is wrong. Now they are bound by the current system which is imposed after Second World

War, with certain purpose and we are still moving inside this framework. If you remove it, that will be different world, very interesting one.

IIS - What do you think about Turkey’s peacekeeping role in its own region and in the neighborhood in terms of recent developments in the Middle East especially?

H.E. Mr. Korsunsky - I wish you never have a real peacekeeping mission, I mean, I wish that never ever a war started anywhere around your borders. But, the role of Turkey is extremely important. It is a kind of common understanding that Turkey provides to nations in the region an example of democracy, leaving in an Islam country, you have a mature


democracy and vibrant economy. You proved an ability to develop without major nature resources. Without oil, gas or gold you have to work very hard.

It is very important if Turkey maintains this path of democratic development step by step and that would be the best you can do for your region. İt is very important - the stability based on democratic principles, based on common understandings. Turkey is not just a country, but it is a rising star for all the people of Asia and Middle East and this star must be bright. This is a reality, it is not a compliment. I wish other nations would follow in a peaceful manner.

IIS - But ideas change in the years..

H.E. Mr. Korsunsky - Ideas may change, I agree completely. From my point of view, the role of Turkey is paramount. If you fail on your efforts, it will be very bad news for everybody, that’s why we honestly and sincerely wish you’ll succeed whatever you call it - EU Accession or Integration. The more important thing is to maintain stable democratic development. Whatever constitution, leader or system you choose is up to you but it must be democratic. Ukraine is very proud to be among the countries that survived the Soviet Union collapse without any violence; we had no civil war, interracial or inter-religious clash. For presidential elections, we have had 24 candidates, but none of them were hurt or get into problems for being a candidate. If somebody does not like the result, that’s his or her problem, but it’s the democratic process after all.

IIS - Ukraine is also important as being a live example of that it can and must be without violence.

H.E Korsunsky - Of course, that’s why we look at Egypt and think that shooting people would be wrong. Egyptians are an old wise nation and a very old culture. So it should be resolved through talking to people and debating over the issues. This is the best way. And sometimes you should be as patient as courageous since these things could take time.

IIS - Thank you your excellency for your invaluable time.

Full version of this interview is on www.intersociety.net

The European Council refers to the regular meetings of the heads of state in the European Union. It comprises the heads of state or government of EU member states, along with its President and the President of the Commission.

The Council of the European Union, officially the Council and commonly referred to as the Council of Ministers, is the institution in the legislature of the European Union representing the governments of member states, the other legislative body being the European Parliament.

The Council of Europe is one of the oldest international organizations working towards European integration, having been founded in 1949. It has a particular emphasis on legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation. It has 47 member states with some 800 million citizens. It is distinct from the European Union (EU), which has common policies, binding laws and only twenty-seven members. The two do however, share certain symbols such as their flag.

As it is clear above, the Council of Europe (CoE) is one of the oldest international organizations, older and wider than EU. Turkey became a member of the Council of Europe on the 9th of August of 1949 and nowadays, Turkey is heading Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers from November 2010 to May 2011.

Although it seems that CoE is not so effective in the international area, Secretary of General, President of Parliamentary Assembly, and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers are highly motivated to put

by Serhat Sayar [email protected]

Turkish Taste In The Council Of Europe

There are many institutions beginning with “Europe,” and most of them are similar to each other in their title; hence, it is easy to confuse them. However, each of them refer to different organizations. European Union, European Parliament, European Council, Council of Europe, and Council of European Union are some of these organizations. Mostly, the Council of Europe, European Council and Council of European Union are confused among each other. We will do a brief explanation about each of them. European Council and Council of European Union are official organs of the European Union, which has 27 members primarily located in Europe and originates from the European Coal and Steel Community and European Economic Community from the 1950s.


CoE back on the international scene. “We will make every effort to put the Council of Europe back on the international scene as an innovative, more flexible and visible organisation so that it can adapt itself to the changing political landscape” said Turkish FM and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers in CoE, Ahmet Davutoğlu in his address to the Parliamentary Assembly on the 24th of January.

It may seem as a coincidence that the President of Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers, Ahmet Davutoğlu are Turkish officials, yet it shows how Turkey began to actively participate in both regional and global policies. In addition to that, Turkish President Abdullah Gül was the guest speaker to sessions in the hemicycle on the 25th of January, a day after the address of Ahmet Davutoğlu to the Assembly. There is a photo frame where Mr. Gül is addressing the Assembly, Mr. Çavuşoğlu presiding to Parliament and Mr. Davutoğlu is representing Chairmanship of Turkey. This is first in Turkey’s history, but I guess not the last. In this article I would like to share some parts of the speeches of President Gül and FM Davutoğlu at the Assembly.

Ahmed DAVUTOĞLU, Chairperson of the Committee

of Ministers:

“We are here not only because we share a common geography and our nation states are linked together by our borders, be they short or long. We are here also because we have shared together a common history, from which we have drawn conclusions. On these conclusions we have established ideals and values that have become our common duty to defend and take further. Today, these are in no way under the hegemony of “Europe”, where they have been born and nourished, but are these to be shared by the whole mankind. Therefore, we are frequently gathered under this roof as ‘European Governments and Parliamentarians’ where we set the highest benchmark for all.”

Following, are the highlights of the speech of President Abdullah GÜL presented at the Assembly:

A divided Europe has led to war and oppression, whereas a Europe without dividing lines based on the shared democratic principles has led to peace and prosperity.

Yet, we are not active enough to project our enormous soft power on the global scale. As a result,

now Europe is seen as an “absent player” in world affairs.

In fact, thanks to the Council of Europe, now millions of Europeans are enjoying their fundamental rights such as equal treatment, expression of opinion, gender equality, good governance, transparency, and accountability.

Some members of our organization have joined in a qualitatively different relationship in the EU. But Europe is not just composed of the EU. The Council of Europe, embracing 800 million Europeans, remains

the only pan-European value-based organization.

Yet, the challenges from within Europe still exist. To overcome those menaces, we don’t need to create a unified European Army. What we need today, is to construct “a unified European Conscience” for a freer, safer and more equalitarian and united Europe.

Therefore, it would be a grave mistake to underestimate the merits of our organization in the construction of free, safe and prosperous Europe.

We all remember the speech by Winston Churchill to the Council of Europe in 1950 where he called for the creation of a “unified European Army” in the face of the Communist threat.

Now, our former foes have become our new friends and allies. Europe has become much safer than what it was 60 years ago.

Nobody could say that Turkey is out of Europe since there are Turkish officials leading to global institutions neighbouring to EU Parliament. Yet, there are many steps for Turkey to pass over onto the European Path.


Barcelona appears to be a rising star among Western European cities where a cosmopolitan model of culture, arts and economics converge. It is located at the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula and has been a locus of international attention, particularly after the 1992 Olympics. Enjoying a successful administration in the context of Spanish autonomy and worldwide publicity by means of tourism, education, soccer and fine arts, Barcelona is without question, one of the heartwarming places on Earth.

You are welcomed by a friendly climate, which consists of three spring-like seasons and a sultry summer. The structural design of the city is modern by all means as if it was built for cheering people up: harmonious streets, tranquil parks, successful public service, well-preserved historical buildings, cafes and restaurants available for twenty four hours, a rich perspective of entertainment, stylish bookstores, original performances of music and theatres as well as local festivals which are all intertwined in the public sphere and embrace the soul of Barcelona.

BARCELONA


The sun rises over seagulls on the Mediterranean shore as the waves carry over new stories, styles and passion of the colorful city of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Daylight bleeds through narrow streets while newcomers of the city look for their ways, with suitcases clattering everywhere. Some people keep running on the beach, some newsstands open early, the city awakes leisurely by the smell of the sea.

Daily rituals make life easier for any beginner. People are usually kind, sophisticated, friendly and curious about the details of life. With a sense of sharing, they respect for other inhabitants’ priorities. It is always nice to see people well-dressed and friendly who seem to be aware of the fact that life is short. Local festivals foster an environment for pleasure. The most important of those are Los Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) when Spaniards exchange gifts on the 5th and 6th of January, especially to make kids happy; Dia de Sant Jordi (April 23) when men are expected to give a rose to women as ladies buy a book for gentlemen; Sant Joan (June 23-24) the midsummer celebration that is famous for its endless fireworks and total disregard to EU safety regulations; and La Merce (September 24) the local food festival.

Antoni Gaudi, who left major works of art in central zone of Barcelona, is known as the architect of the city. He witnessed the consolidation process of the industrialization of Catalonia during the second half of the 19th century and received the patronage of the Barcelona bourgeoisie and the Church. He subsequently paved the way for Modernism, one of the movements that renovated the architectural style of the late 19th and early 20th centuries throughout Europe. Although he never allowed himself to be constrained by the rules and aesthetics of the movement, his career was marked by his endeavor to achieve his own characteristic style and constructive forms, which find their maximum expression in the Casa Mila (La Pedrera), the Casa Vicens and the Palau Güell.


On the other side, La Sagrada Familia rises as an incomplete construction, which has turned out to be a symbol of the city. Designed to be a place to express the love of God and human beings, the church is still being constructed by donations received from around the world. Gaudi devoted the last twelve months of his life to the project, which differs from the classical gothic and baroque composition of the northwestern European cathedrals.

The taste and the sound surrounding Barcelona are also unique in terms of their origins and modern interpretations. Breakfast is generally a nonsense affair, taken at a bar on the way to work. Lunch is basically from 2 pm to 4 pm and is the main meal of the day. No local person would contemplate starting dinner before 9 pm. Hence, “hacer sobre mesa” (table talk) keep late hours and families ranging from their youngest members to the elderly, join the table. Tapas (a wide variety of appetizers in Spanish cuisine), paella and tortilla sustain the talks.

Milonga and Argentinean tango attract those who have the passion for dance, as it is usual to watch

a street performance at various places. Flamenco is not popular to the same extend because it is not associated with the Catalan identity; however, the traditional rhythm of Spain receives great attention, mostly by tourists.

When it comes to soccer, the term for the reality enjoyed in Barcelona should be ‘innocent madness’. Justifiably, having the most successful soccer team in the world, people take serious care of FC Barcelona, particularly in their never-ending competition against Real Madrid. The night of ‘El Clasico’ (derby game between the two teams) becomes the agenda of the day as people from all age groups share the excitement.

In a nutshell, designed for pleasure, Barcelona presents all for those who search for original perspectives and stories of life. Reading Garcia in the balcony at a summer midnight, one can easily feel the spirit of the city and the way of life on the seashore, which has long been a pool of major civilizations that affect today’s social and political understanding as well.

Turkish ANTAKYA, a populous city of ancient Syria. Since 1939 the chief town of the province of Hatay in southern Turkey, near the mouth of the Orontes River (Turkish- Asi Nehri). It was founded in 300 B.C. by the Greeks and was the center of the Seleucid Kingdom until 64 BC, when the Romans made it the capital of their province of Syria. The city was one of the earliest centers of Christianity, serving as the headquarters of the missionary St. Paul in about AD 47-55. Antioch prospered in the 4th and 5th centuries from nearby olive plantations and in the 6th century developed a silk industry. This same century also brought a series of earthquakes and fires. Antioch was captured temporarily by the Persians between 540 and 611 and was absorbed into the Arab caliphate in 637. Under the Arabs, it shrank to the status of a small town. The Byzantines recaptured the city in 969, and it served as a frontier fortification until taken by the Seljuq Turks in 1084. In 1098 it was captured by the crusaders and was taken by the Mamluks in 1268. It finally fell onto the Ottoman Turks in 1517 and remained under the Ottoman control until World War I.

This city and the people are an impressive monument. Asi river divides the city into two, having an abundant city life. The modern settlement developed on the west side of the river. The east side of the old city today is still resisting change by trying to preserve the original architectural fabric. The majority of the people living in the city speak Arabic intensively. It is still possible to see signs in stores with Arabic names. The streets of the city, and the Arab-plated vehicles will surprise you when you first see them, but you will eventually get used to the abundance. Anyhow, the people of the region are intense, and

their daily life experiences often involve passing onto Syria. People in the morning go to Syria and in the evening can turn back again. In other words, relations with Syria are very close and warm.

Being one of the cosmopolitan cities of the Republic of Turkey, people there have learned to live together for very long periods of time. Enriched with different ethnic origins, religions, and several communities, this city was selected to host UNESCO as the city of peace. The multi-cultural structure of the different cities throughout history have kept members of the same nation sharing more than one religious community. Different populations to inhabit are a majority of Sunni Arabs and Turks Nusayri, as well as the Alevi Turks, Syrians, Catholics, Orthodox Greeks, Arabs, Protestant, Maronite Arabs, Armenians, Jews and other small communities. The dynamics of this multi-cultural structure form Hatay. For example, the Arabs formed Samandag Nusayri Altınözü county district, which is composed of both Sunni Arabs and Turkish Muslims. Antakya, the biblical Antioch, is situated on the Asi River (Orontes) in a fertile

by Rıdvan Genç[email protected]

Antakya

Marc / April 2011 53

surrounding. Antakya was once the capital of the Seleucid kings and the life they led in Antakya was renowned for its luxury and pleasures during Roman times. The city was the center of Christianity and had been visited by St.Barnabas, St.Paul and St.Peter. The city was also famous as a center of artistic, scientific, and commercial activities.

‘Christianity’ was given the name of the city for the first time in the Antioch church to the most important monuments of Christianity in the church of St.Pierre. The church also is considered a place of pilgrimage for Christians and the Catholic church holds a special ceremony on June 29 of each year here. The city is rich with tourist attractions, and cities host the world’s second largest mosaic collection in the Hatay Archaeological Museum. Each year, between July 21

to 23 in the city of Antioch, the International Tourism and Art Festival is made. A popular attraction is Samandag, which has the world’s second longest beach.

The activities of the modern town are based mainly on the agricultural produce of the adjacent area, including the intensively cultivated Amik plain. The chief crops are wheat, cotton, grapes, rice, olives, vegetables, and fruit. The town has soap and olive-oil factories and cotton ginning and other processing industries. Silk, shoes, and knives are also manufactured. Important archaeological discoveries have been made there. The Hatay Museum deserves a particular interest, in that it houses one of the richest collections of Roman mosaics in the world.

A little outside of the city is the holy site where S t . P e t e r ’ s Grotto is

situated. The cave church is the place where St.Peter preached and founded the Christian community. It was declared as a holy place by the Vatican in 1983. The Iron Gate of Antioch is to the south of the grotto among the ruins of the city. One can sense these far off times since little has changed throughout history. The Castle of Antioch will give you a panoramic view over the city.

Hatay is famous for not only its history, but also its cuisine. The deep history of the city and the combination of cultures has created a very rich cuisine. Kağıt kebabı, oruk, dövme (aşşur), semirsek, tepsi kebabı, humus (hummus), zahter salatası (zahter salad), künefe, peynirli irmik helvası, kabak tatlısı, cevizli biber, küflü çökelek salatası, turplu tarator, patlıcanlı yoğurtlama, sarmaiçi, yumurta öccesi are dishes that come to mind when the name Hatay is mentioned. A main dish, Arap Kebabı (Arab Kebab), is served with raw meatballs. The dish Tuzlu Yoğurt (Salty Yoghurt) is commonly consumed in Hatay. Künefe and kadayıf come to mind for desserts. Ağızlı kadayıf, Burma künefe, and Kaymaklı Künefe are very famous. The Harbiye region is the place for trying these dishes, with its large restaurants surrounded by nature and by water.

Hatay has a very rich cultural heritage, being the home to various civilizations throughout history. People from different religions and faiths have lived together while the mosque, church and the

synagogue coexisted in Hatay for centuries. This has given Hatay not only a cultural richness, but also a great sense of tolerance. This richness and tolerance is reflected in the social life, art, media events, customs and traditions of the area.

Museums and historical and religious relics are the center of the city’s culture. Also, the Mayıs Erzin Kültür ve Turizm Festivali (May 22-29), İskenderin Uluslararası Turizm ve Kültür Festivali (July 1-5), and Antakya Kültür-Turizm ve Sanat Festivali (July 19-23) are cultural events that are organized in the region. Harbiye is the most frequented area for picnics and entertainment by the public, especially during spring and summer months. This area is also famous with its restaurants with capacities of 300 to 500 people.


We see that the historical process of the city, which began with the Akkadian rule between 1800 – 1600 BC, continued with Hittites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Oghuz Turks, Persians, Great Alexander, Roman Empire, Byzantium Empire, Ayyubids, Mamluks and Ottomans until our age.

The fact that the paths of the prominent cultures of the world have one day somehow crossed with

Hatay, or that they have ruled this unique territory is a proof showing the value and diversity of this treasure we will try to present in some part here.

We can see a natural result of this long-established history and the integration of different ethnical cultures in the local cuisine, which also includes the reflection of the socio-economic structures of the cultures. This long-established history has been

A Heritage Of Antique Flavor: “Hatay Cuisine”

by Emel Arslan [email protected]

“Hatay Cuisine” bears the traces of a past of 2300 years. However, we can see today the most colorful samples of the cultural diversity in this territory, which has been ruled by many civilizations from Akkadian Civilization to our age.

identified with the well-established traditions. The societies which had strong traditions and ruled in this territory wanted to protect their values. The local cuisine has been an important element of the culture bequeathed to next generations. This diversity of the Hatay cuisine has, in fact, been a mirror reflecting a rich society.

The Hatay Cuisine is a very rich one containing the richest treasures in it. It presents you the experiences of the past in the form of different flavors. It blends the Mediterranean and Arab cuisines for us.

It is such a colorful cuisine that, it is as if the colors of its spices have found their reflection on the flavors. These dishes, in which cumin, coriander, cinnamon and dakka are used in abundance, are generally served with sauces such as pomegranate syrup and sumac juice; with snacks such as falafel and humus; desserts such as künefe and cezerye ; and Arabian coffee with cardamom, which has a distinctive savor.

Besides these, there are also some flavors which are very familiar to us, such as hummus, lamb kebab in curl paper, künefe and pumpkin dessert. Though these are common dishes that may be made by everyone today, they are in fact the distinguished products of the Hatay Cuisine. Aside from these dishes, the Hatay cuisine is a considerable and living cuisine with its stuffed vegetables, jams, desserts, and cold and hot dishes. It constitutes an important part of the Ottoman cuisine with its nearly 400 recipes. It is a living cuisine, because it has managed to carry 1000-year-old dishes to the present day.

Together with this cuisine, tradition carried out to the present day the stories of the dishes and how to serve them, and with which other dishes to serve them is also important. For example, Şehriyeli Aş (bulgur pilaf with vermicelli) is served with Kumbursiye soup. Serving styles have diversification as a result of the differences between how the many civilizations produced them.

After giving some information on its history, we need to give some very old examples of the Hatay cuisine. Now let’s have a look at the history of these delicious dishes, names of which you have most probably never heard:

Kamhi: It is a dish belonging to the urban noble living in Syria, with a history going back to the 16th century. The Turkish counterpart of this dish is Keşkek. It is made by boiling and then pounding wheat and meat.

Kişki Leben: Its history goes back to the 16th century. It is similar to today’s buttermilk soup. It is common in Persian, Egyptian and Lebanon cuisines. It is made by boiling wheat with sour milk. In Turkey, it is made by using yogurt rather than sour milk.

Ak Darı Çorbası (Millet Soup): It is a dish belonging to Georgia, Lebanon and Syria. It is made by boiling and pounding white millet, and then cooking it into a soup.


Isbangı: It is made of spinach, rice and meat. It belongs to the 11th century. It is made as a wedding ceremony dish.

Tüffahiyye: It belongs to the 13th century. This dish includes dried wild mountain apples as part of their ingredient. Other ingredients are lamb, rice, oil and, in the summer months, tomatoes.

Kabak Bastı: It is a dish which has been bequeathed by the Ottoman cuisine to the present day. This 500-year traditional dish, which is made of leg-of-mutton, butter, onions, squashes, boiled chickpeas, verjuice, dried mint and cinnamon, is still living in the Hatay cuisine.

Meyan Şerbeti (Licorice Sorbet): In the past, the vendor would serve this sorbet as cold and in special cups, while making sounds at the same time with a nested pair of bowls. Meyan Şerbeti has been one of the most well-known drinks of Hatay for many years.

We see that in the Hatay cuisine, which has a great diversity including the Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and even Roman cuisines, the recipes have been carried to the present day with only slight changes. The human factor has influenced the food culture, as it affects everything in life. The cuisine is also a reflection of past experiences. We can tell the richness and poverty in the past from the traces of diversity in cuisines. Of course, this well-established history is too deep and meaningful to be covered in just two pages. Here we presented to you only brief information on the history of the “Hatay Cuisine.” If one day you happen to pass by Hatay, we recommend trying the secret traditional tastes of this beautiful historical city.

Beginning with the efforts of Mehmet Atalay, the first General Directorate of Youth and Sports appointed by the 57th Government of Turkey, and continuing with the support of the current General Directorate Yunus Akgül, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, our country and our sports federations are living their golden days in terms of participation in international sports organizations.

The investments, at a scale never seen in the history of the Turkish Republic, have been made in the last eight years at record speed, and as a result of this, the number of medals won in the last 10 years has overtaken the number of all the medals won before along the history of Turkey. With the support provided by our officials, the sports federation of our country recently became a candidate for the UEF:A 2016. Losing their hosting opportunity to this huge sports event by only one vote.

FISU appreciated the FISU Summer Universiade due to their success and construction of the sports complex completed in just 10 months, having a capacity for an audience of 10,000 individuals. After this success, the organization for 2011 Universiade

Winter Games in Turkey came to the agenda. Turkish Prime Minister obtained a promise from the FISU Chairman George Killian in person, and the organization of the Winter Universiade 2011 was given to Erzurum, which is situated on the peak of Anatolia.

By means of the self-sacrificing efforts and cooperative works of the Chairman of Turkish University Sports, the General Director of Youth and Sports, the State Minister Responsible for Sports and the Prime Minister himself, the biggest sports event in the history of the Republic of Turkey was organized in Erzurum. This huge sports organization, which was carried out with an investment of 600 million TL was an indication of the importance Turkey places on winter sports, and also of the country’s enthusiasm for hosting the 2020 Winter Olympics.

by Engin Avcı[email protected]

Winter Universiade Erzurum 2011

As representatives of IIS, we visited Erzurum for the biggest sports organization in the history of Turkey. There, we listened to the story of how Turkey had won the opportunity to become the host of this event. Following is the story of the Winter Universiade Erzurum 2011.


This prestigious sports event allowed the Turkish culture to be displayed during the opening and closing

ceremonies. Introduction and advertisement of our country was carried out by means of broadcasting the event on TV to nearly three billion people from 57 nations. Art events such as painting exhibitions, caricature contests, dance shows, concerts and classical Turkish music performances were also appreciated by the visitors who came to Erzurum for the winter games.

On the catwalk, two female Ice Hockey athletes, one from Lithuania and the other one from Finland modeled an exhibition of dresses ornamented with Ottoman motifs. This occurrence set the example of the cultural interaction aspect of the organization. 3,000 people from 57 countries came together within the scope of this organization indicating that the event was like a cultural festival.

IIS decided to participate in the event once it had been informed about the preparations of the Culture and Arts Committee. IIS representatives went to Palandöken many days before the beginning of the event in order to report the details of this exquisite happening. Seeing the beneficial results of such a huge investment, definitely made us take pride in our country. The photographs speak for themselves as they reveal the excitement felt by everyone at the Palandöken peaks. The friendships established there certainly formed cultural bridges between continents. As the representatives of IIS, we are happy to relate this event to our audience.

During the opening ceremony, which was planned by the Organization of Culture-Arts Council, the 1,600-people team directed by the Arts Manager Mustafa Erdoğan staged the show named “Gates of the East.” The performance started with the show named “Snow Flake,” which symbolizes Palandöken. Then it continued with a show depicting the landing of the two-headed eagle, the symbol of Anatolia,

on the Volkan Mountain. Afterwards, the mounted javelin throwers, a symbol of Erzurum, entered the stadium accompanied by the ‘Hani Yaylam’ ballad of the Erzurum region, with carpet motifs of Anatolia reflected on the stadium’s ground. The folklore team, which performed the modernized forms of Caucasus, Zeibek, Kyrgyz and Mongol folk dances, struck the audience with admiration. The show ended with a

As known, the 25th World Universiade Games were held from January 26 to February 7, 2011 in Palandöken, Erzurum, Turkey. More than 3,000 athletes from 57 countries participated in this event hosted by Turkey for its very first time. While the opening and closing ceremonies costs were 12,000,000.00 TL, the total cost of the Winter Games, including the investments for the facilities, became nearly 600,000,000 TL. The opening and closing ceremonies were carried out by TIT Events Management (Tigris & Teamcon), and the Mustafa Erdoğan partnership. The games were held in 11 separate branches.

by Irina Bogodenko Avcı[email protected]

Fashion and Art at Erzurum Winter Universiade


magnificent Sema dance performed by approximately 100 whirling dervishes, and with a poem read by Yılmaz Erdoğan. During the closing of the show, pop singer Kenan Doğulu, who won 4th place in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest with his song ‘Shake It up Shekerim’ took the stage.

Within the scope of the 11-day games, more than 100 cultural events took place. Such events included: ceramic exhibitions, caricature, painting, contests, and concerts. One of these events had a special significance because it portrayed the gathering of cultures. This event was the fashion parade, which was carried out on the 1st and 2nd of February named “Anatolian Culture and Regional Garments.” The General Coordination was conducted by one of our volunteer friends from the IIS. In the fashion parade, specially designed garments with motifs of the 2000-year Turkish history and culture were exhibited by famous fashion models such as, the famous Ukrainian model Ebru Dukhopel and Şebnem Schefer from Germany. The collection exhibited in the fashion parade belonged to Cemile Gül, who is a famous fashion designer from the province of Kütahya, and also the designer for the wife of the Prime Minister of Turkey. One of the most interesting sights in the fashion parade was when the Ice Hockey athletes from Lithuania and Finland came to the catwalk with the Cenna Dresses belonging to the Anatolian culture. The pictures of this scene, which was applauded by the representatives of FISU and Universiade as well, were sent to the news agencies of the 57 countries under the title “FISU Fraternity.” The Winter Universiade Erzurum 2011 ended with spectacular folk dances and light shows performed on February 6th in the Cemal Gürsel Stadium.

International Interaction Society (IIS) supported its International Football League members’ indoor sporting activities.

In the season break of the IIS-Turkish Airlines International Football League, IIS organized the second Winter indoor football season in Ankara, held in Mehmet Emin Resulzade Anadolu Lisesi. The tournament ran during the winter season and involved footballers from many countries that are registered members of the International Football League.

Throughout the winter indoor season, every Monday night was football night from 8:00pm forward. The matches were full of excitement and provided members with a stage to showcase their skills. The members participated in the indoor matches individually, not representing their league teams but only themselves this time.

On one occasion, Sefa Denizoğlu, a representative from IIS Office said, “Sport is playing a central role in helping people to stay fit and strengthen friendships. The Indoor Football Tournament is a part of IIS’s ongoing efforts to provide our foreigner visitors with an exceptional platform for making use of their free time during their stay in Turkey.”

The winter break indoor matches became part of the popular and long standing IIS-TA International Football League, which is one of the most sought after sportive activity for expats and foreigners living in Ankara, providing prospective players with the opportunity to enhance their social environment and show their football skills in a fun and exciting environment.

As we come to the end of the winter break, we welcome all who still feel a rush for slammin’ that ball into the net, in the second half of the IIS-TA International Football League 2010/2011 season!

IIS Second Winter Indoor Season

by Erdem Göndiken [email protected]


We could not know beforehand that the acquaintances made through IIS Football League would evolve into such close friendships. Just after the 2009-2011 seasons end, Frainc Reid of UK-IRELAND came to us with this offer: We would construct a team with players participating in our league -which come from various cultures, but already have built a bridge of trust and communication in between- and we would participate in a special football tournament in Brussels. In order to maintain team spirit and be successful in a tournament, as a team there should be a high level of friendship and trust within that team’s squad. We were happy to hear that our old friend John would also join us in Brussels. The roster was to be constructed of players against whom we sweat our shirts throughout the last season of the league.

As Frainc was arranging the hotel that we would stay at, we were running around in Ankara getting ready the official documents for the flight. As we were getting our new jerseys prepared, all too often we were holding meetings with Frainc Reid and Dan Wilson to resolve outstanding issues. At last, our squad was set: The team FC TÜRKİYE was

composed of players from UK, Ireland, Holland, Spain and Turkey.

We have to be 11 players on the pitch and yet we had only 12 players in our squad. Some of our players met each other for the first time there. Though we were coming from different cultures,

different nations, and different religions, we knew and did everything that needed to be done to be a “team.” Friendship, trust and solidarity were the foundations of our team. We accomplished many things that many people worldwide cannot do due to lack of communication. At times we shared food that we bought from the market in the morning, at times we checked eachother at night to share leftover pizza from that night’s diner.

With this spirit, one could see in our eyes the trust we had in eachother when we put on our jerseys. As we won the matches one by one and made it to the final, we knew we all had done our best. We made it to the final with 3 wins. It was sure that other teams respected us and our unity and team play. In the final match, in a moment that the opposing team was about to score a goal, Dan Wilson saved the goal risking valiantly a damage to his chest for the team. From that moment on, the motto of the team became “all for one and one for all” as the old saying goes.

As Dan got injured and left the pitch, he had already scored the goal that would bring us to the championship. With the final whistle, we were proud to bring a European cup to Turkey after Galatasaray, and we were actually running to Dan instead of celebrating the championship there on the pitch! At that moment, my own belief in making this world a better place together with such spirits, increased.

A Fantastic International Tournament in Brussels

Dan Wilson - UKFrainc Reid and his 2 local Friends - IrelandCarlo - Holland

Abdulkadir Demirci - TurkeyFatih Taşkınsoy - TurkeyMehmet Çoklar - TurkeyEmrah Ateş - TurkeyErdem Göndiken - TurkeyPedro Judez - SpainJohn Morua - Spain

October 13th 2010 – My teammates and I had waited that day for a long time, and finally it was the turn of the Italian team to make its debut in the IIS Turkish Airline International Football League. Our first opposing team was Germany.

From the beginning, the match was competitive and each team was trying to win the day. I had not played for a couple of months, so after a few minutes I felt my legs getting tired. During the second half I got exhausted and asked the coach to be replaced, but just a few seconds before going out I took advantage of a corner shot and I scored my first goal… 1-0!

We were able to defend the score till the end of the game and everyone was really excited for winning. In the dressing room, we analyzed the match trying to understand how to perform even better in the following games and continue our triumphant path.

It seemed like the beginning of a successful story; however, it was the first and last time I scored in the tournament, and the Italian team never won again. Despite the poor results on the pitch, I personally believe that the most important aspect is that we have always managed to have great fun, and the large participation of my teammates in the games is the proof.

Looking at the future, our target for the second half of the season is to improve our individual performances and step up as a group as well. Before the league

“It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game”

by Marco Sandrone


started, most of us had never met one another and for this reason it was challenging playing together. By the way, little by little, we are getting used to sharing the field and I’m sure we will score better and better in the next matches!

Despite the winter break, IIS Football arranges weekly indoor friendly games, giving me and other players from different national teams the opportunity to keep in shape. I’m trying to take advantage of this situation in order to be ready when the league re-

starts in March.

Beyond the physical activity, these games are a valuable opportunity to meet new people and spend time with “long standing” friends such as, Erdem and Burak, who are the soul and the organizers of the group. I was proud when they asked me to write an article for the IIS magazine about my experience, and this piece is the perfect way to say thank you for their outstanding hospitality.

IIS - Who was your favorite player when you first became interested in football? Who is your current favorite player, if any?

E. Nestas - I think my first favorite player was Bryan Robson. He was a classic midfielder and a real gentleman on the pitch. Today, there are a couple of players who are taking the sport to a new level. Messi stands out in particular, but Ronaldo is not far behind.

IIS - Which team do you support? How do you see their performance this year?

E. Nestas – I’ve been a fan of Manchester United since 1986. The interest for the club grew when they got three Norwegian players in the late 90s. United plays positive football and it’s impressive to see how Sir Alex manages to balance continuity and continuous renewal. Their performance this year has been solid, particularly at home. I hope and believe that they’ll finish the season on top of the league.

IIS - Did/Do you ever go to games?

E. Nestas - Sometimes I do. I went to see United play Champions League both in Istanbul and in Bursa. I’ve also been to a match or two here in Ankara.

IIS - Can you name any Turkish professional football player? How do you know about him?

E. Nestas - The first name that springs to mind is

Hakan Şükür. He was quite famous in Norway in the 90s and of course a very good player.

IIS- Have you been playing football regularly before IIS-TA Tournament?

E. Nestas - Not for a long time really. I used to play until I was 16 or so, but after this I’ve only been playing with friends.

IIS - How do you feel when you’re in the football pitch? What makes you feel that way?

E. Nestas - First of all, it’s great fun. Also, I’m quite competitive and I like it when the entire team really works hard to win. A football match is also nice socially, it’s time with your friends.

IIS - When/How did you hear about the IIS-TA Football League?

E. Nestas – Actually, I knew about the league even before I arrived in Ankara. My predecessor in the embassy used to play and he told me about it.

IIS - Have you made any new friends through IIS-TA? Do you see them outside the pitch?

E. Nestas - For sure. In the Nordic team we’re all friends and we get together also outside the pitch. But I’ve also made friends with people from the other teams and IIS.

IIS - Can you assess the strong and weak points of your team this year? Who do you think is the best player in your team? In what aspect?

E. Nestas – We’re much better this year compared to last year that’s for sure. We have some players of high quality. Nikolaj from Denmark has eminent

*In the following questions, International Interaction Society Turkish Airlines International Football League will be referred to as IIS-TA.

INTERVIEW


technical skills and Kadir is a very efficient striker. Our defence is also solid, with two former ice hockey players (Markus and Tim). They are tough, but fair! Our greatest challenge is that we could use some more players because we’re quite vulnerable when people are absent. We usually don’t have subs, and maybe we’re not as fit as we used to be ;)

IIS - Which game was the most challenging for your team in the first half? Why?

E. Nestas - Our first match this season was against UK/Ireland, which we know to be a very strong team. We got an early lead, but they came back strongly and deserved the win in the end. France is also very good and we were very happy to play them to a draw.

IIS - What do you think the record will be at the end of the season? How far your team can go?

E. Nestas – We’re pleased to have qualified to the best group for the second part of the season, but we know that we’re facing some really strong teams there. It would be good if we can win a couple of matches in this group.

IIS - Would you advice an expat to participate in the IIS-TA Football League?

E. Nestas - Absolutely! It’s a great way to make friends and the league is very well organized.

IIS - Thank yuo for answering our questions...

IIS 2011

Liver transplantation is the replacement of a diseased liver with a healthy liver allograft. It is a life saving procedure. Liver transplantation remained experimental until the 1980’s with a low patient survival. However, clinical use of Cyclosporin significantly improved patient outcomes, and resulted in recognition of liver transplantation as a standard procedure for the treatment of both adult and pediatric patients with end stage liver disase. The surgical procedure is very demanding and ranges from few hours up to 24 hours depending on patients’ general condition and presence of previous surgery. During a liver transplantation, the surgeon removes the diseased liver and replaces it with a healthy one. The most commonly used technique is orthotopic transplantation, in which the native liver is removed and replaced by the donor organ in the same anatomic location as the original liver.

Most liver transplants come from a brain death donor. A cadaveric donor must be approximately

the same weight and body size as the recipient, free from disease and infection or injury that affects the liver, usually of the same or a compatible blood type.

The alternative is a living donor transplant; a healthy person donates part of his or her liver to the recipient. This procedure has been increasingly successful and shows promise as a solution to the shortage of liver donors. It is becoming the most frequent option in children, partly because child-sized livers are in such short supply. Computer Tomograpy guided volume measurements and angiography are done to get “pictures” of the liver to

make sure the donor’s bile ducts, arteries,and veins are the right fit for the intended

recipient. Generally, a liver weight of 1% of the body weight of a recipient is required for live donation.

Immunosuppression after solid organ transplantation is complex. Improved therapeutic strategies have

by Sadık Ersöz Medicana International Hospital Ankara

Liver Transplantation - Challenges and Solutions

Liver transplantation is the replacement of a diseased liver with a healthy liver allograft. It is a life saving procedure. Liver transplantation remained experimental until the 1980’s with a low patient survival. However, clinical use of Cyclosporin significantly improved patient outcomes, and resulted in recognition of liver transplantation as a standard procedure for the treatment of both adult and pediatric patients with end stage liver disase. The surgical procedure is very demanding and ranges from few hours up to 24 hours depending on patients’ general condition and presence of previous surgery. During a liver transplantation, the surgeon removes the diseased liver and replaces it with a healthy one. The most commonly used technique is orthotopic transplantation, in which the native liver is removed and replaced by the donor organ in the same anatomic location as the original liver.


been associated with better patient and graft survival rates; however, the adverse effects associated with these agents and the risks of long-term immunosuppression present a number of challenges for the patient and the clinician. Immunosuppressive treatment of the transplant patient begins with the induction phase, perioperatively and immediately after transplantation. Maintenance therapy then continues for the life of the allograft. Maintenance immunosuppression is the key to prevention of acute and chronic rejections throughout the life of the graft. Opportunistic infections remain an important risk to the immunocompromised patient despite the use of prophylactic measures.

Medicana International Ankara Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery Services now has an outstanding reputation for all aspects of liver surgery. Complex liver resection can be carried with a mortality and morbidity comparable to the best centers in the

world. Our center is very active in transplantation and is equipped for both cadaveric and living related liver transplants. Chief of the Unit Prof. Ersöz worked for 2 years (1991-1993) as a Transplantation Surgery Clinical Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, worlds pioneering transplant center. During his fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Ersöz was one of the most active transplant fellows, personally involved with more than 500 kidney and liver transplants. He also developed expertise in living related liver transplantation, and split liver transplantation returning back to Ankara University. Dr. Ersöz served on the faculty of Ankara University from 1993 to 1997 and joined School of Medicine as an associate professor in surgery in 1997. He was promoted to professor in 2003 and served as chairman of the department of surgery and head of transplantation unit between 2006-2009.

Kosovo marks third anniversary of independence in Ankara

Kosovo’s Ambassador to Turkey, Bekim Sejdiu, and his wife Alberie hosted a reception on Wednesday to mark the third anniversary of Kosovo’s independence from Serbia.

Turkish State Minister Selma Aliye Kavaf and Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül both attended the reception held at Ankara’s Hilton Hotel. Kosovo is recognized by 75 UN countries (including the US and 22 EU states), but not by the other 117 member states. Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize the newborn state three years ago.

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs in Nepal

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu concluded his first trip to Nepal, as part of an effort to prepare for the

UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC) that is slated to convene in İstanbul on May 9-13.

President Gül in Iran

Turkish President Abdullah Gül told Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the people’s demands must be clearly conveyed to the authorities and that the foundation of legitimacy in the Islamic world must be the will of the people.

Serbian Armed Forces Day celebrated

Serbian Embassy in Ankara organized a reception at Swissôtel Ankara to celebrate the Serbian Armed Forces Day. Feb. 15 is both a national day and the Armed Forces Day of Serbia, also called Candlemas Day.


News Review


US to continue engaging Ankara, Yerevan, Baku for reconciliation

US State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley said on Monday that the US will continue to engage Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan to see how these countries can move the stalled reconciliation process between Turkey and Armenia forward.

Joschka Fischer on EU-Turkey Accession

Former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said the European Union has made a “grave mistake” by pushing Turkey aside, warning the EU that it will be failing to protect its interests in the region if Turkey

does not become a member of the 27-nation bloc.

Turkey, Georgia agree on passport-free travel

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said Turkey and Georgia have already started works to allow citizens of both countries to travel with only state identity cards.

Davutoğlu told a joint news conference with his Georgian counterpart, Grigol Vashadze, during his visit to Tbilisi that they plan to apply “single window customs” at the Sarp border gate, the largest and busiest gate in the Caucasus, facilitating trade transactions and enabling cross-traders to present their documents at a single location. Davutoğlu said it is a very serious initiative regarding the integration of the two countries’ economies.

Resolution on Turkey’s Progress Report 2010

European Parliament’s (EP) Committee on Foreign Affairs approved the Resolution on Turkey’s Progress Report 2010 by a vote of 51 against 5 on Thursday.

The Committee accepted the amendments proposed on the Turkey Progress Report 2010 with its vote today.

The progress report was written by the Dutch Christian Democrat Ria Oomen-Rujiten.

International Ankara Music Festival is an organization that is performed every year in April to bring people get together with the music. This year festival will take place in the dates between 4-30 April.

482 musicians will attend to the organization from 14 different countries. In this one month event; musicians will perform symphonic, contemporary, popular music; band and also etno-jazz dance music. Congress Hall of the Ministry of National Education, Museum of Painting and Sculpture Concert Hall and Municipality of Çankaya Modern Arts Center will be host of the events that will take part.

Supporters of the festival are; The Embassy of Germany, The Embassy of the U.S.A, Institut D’etudes Françaises-Ankara, The Embassy of Spain, The Embassy of Israel, İstanbul Cervantes institute and Instituto Italiano di Cultura di Ankara.

A Classic Of AnkaraInternational Ankara Music Festival

&CU

LTU

REDIARY

ART

On the other hand, festival is in cooperation with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ankara State Opera and Ballet, Municipality of Ankara, Municipality of Eskişehir, Municipality of Çankaya, Bilkent University, Başkent University, Hacettepe University and T.S.K Harmonica Brass Band.

This years’ honor members of the festival are Foundation of Sabancı and AND TTS and sponsors are Tepe Construction, The Boeing Company, Aydıner Construction, Nurol Holding Inc., Gama Holding Inc., Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, T. Halk Bank, N.C.Y Consultancy, Age Construction & Trade Inc., Yüksel Erimtan & Bankpositive.


Main Sponsor of IIS-Turkish Airlines International Football League

Documents

IIS Rainbow Magazine Issue#5