Istanbul Bulletin

Considered to be world's one of the most prestigious architecture awards, Pritzker Architecture Award was given to the Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha with a ceremony organized in Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.

Pritzker Architecture Award Ceremony organized in Dolmabahce Palace, was attended by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbas, Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler, Pritzker Family, Pritzker Award Director Martha Thorne and its Jury Head Lord Palumbo, Prime Minister's Advisor Cuneyd Zapsu, AK Party Member of Parliament Egemen Bagis, businessmen Erdogan Demiroren, Nihat Ozdemir, Can Paker and several other local and international invitees.

Speaking in the award ceremony, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated that Istanbul was the symbol city of alliance of civilizations which is most needed at global scale, and “At first glance, looking like structure of a cosmopolitan city, one discovers that this is a city of peace as he goes deeper in the city's depths” he said.

Prime Minister Erdogan stated that Istanbul was one of the most beautiful cities of the world and in this historical city he had been Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor for four and half years, “ Istanbul is not a city whose cultural richness imprisoned in museums. On the contrary, all of its streets, buildings, with its architectural and cultural tissue, it carries the qualities of an open-air museum. Istanbul reflects human kind's rich cultural climate and peace-longing worldview within its architectural structure. This city is the conjunction point of East and West; a city that Europe and Asia embraced each other. Istanbul is a city in which architecturally very important mosques, churches and synagogues existed side by side throughout the ages” he said.

Speaking in the ceremony, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Kadir Topbas said that it was very meaningful for this award to be given in Istanbul and added that they needed world's distinguished architects in Istanbul . Mayor Kadir Topbas “ Istanbul is open and welcoming all investors and distinguished architect… Contribute us with your masterpieces” said.

The 13th International Istanbul Jazz Festival organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture & Arts (IKSV) will be held between July 4th and 16th.

The festival will be kicking off with the special concert of U.S. jazz vocalist Steve Tyrell at the Marmara Esma Sultan Mansion on July 3.

This year the Jazz Festival will especially be remembered with it's exceptional jazz concerts: the queen of vocal jazz Diana Krall, legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal who is 76 years old but still full of life, the charming vocalist Madeleine Peyroux well known by the jazz fans with her album ‘Careless Love', the famous French jazz group Orchestre National de Jazz who will play jazz versions of famous Led Zeppelin songs…

But these are not the only highlights of the Festival. One of our most important guests this year will be the world famous musician and Tropicalia star of Brazil, Gilberto Gil, who is also Brazil's current minister of culture! Another famous and respected group, The Neville Brothers (including Aaron Neville) will give a concert in the Festival as a part of their ‘New Orleans Tribute' tour. Not to forget, there is an exclusive concert of Norway's veteran bass player Arild Andersen together with our world-renowned ney-flute player Kudsi Erguner, and the Brazilian percussion legend Nana Vasconcelos.

Other acts of the festival include Charles Lloyd, John Scofield, Chris Botti, Nils Landgren Funk Unit with their “Funky Abba” project, Raul Midon and Sergent Garcia.

The Young Jazz Concerts continue to provide a chance for the younger/amateur musicians to participate in the Festival's programme. The honor guest of Young Jazz is the young Norwegian saxophonist Kjetil Møster, who received this year's International Jazz Festivals Organization's “International Jazz Award For New Talent”. The Young Jazz Concerts will take place on 9 May at Parkorman.

Sabanci University's Sakip Sabanci Museum is proud to be hosting works by great master of the art of sculpture in an exhibition which is a fitting sequel to the recent Picasso exhibition. The Rodin Museum, which inherited the sculptor's private collection as well as his own works, has loaned 203 pieces for this exhibition. "Master Sculptor Rodin in Istanbul " opens on June 13th.

The sculptures are being installed in the galleries of the Sakip Sabanci Museum, and Rodin's monument to famous French poet, writer and thinker Victor Hugo will sit in the museum's garden, temporarily replacing the famous bronze horse sculpture at the entrance.

Auguste Rodin carried Europe's deep-rooted tradition of sculpture out of the sentimental romanticism of the 19th century into the 20th century and the groundbreaking art of the modern age. From his smallest sculptures to his most imposing monuments, he demonstrated to contemporary and future generations what sculpture is and is not with the same powerful spirit and astounding mastery.

Istanbul Culture & Tourism Directorate announced that tourist arrivals to Istanbul increased by 7 percent as of the June 8th statistical data. Compare to last year, tourist arrivals to Istanbul by airlines increased by 7 percent in the first five months of the year.

The Rahmi M. Koç Museum in Istanbul launched two new activities called Nostalgic Golden Horn Tours with Liman II and Activity Days. The activities are scheduled to take place every weekend during the summer.

Visitors will take a historic voyage among industrial and engineering items of both the past and the present day at the musuem and will be able to enjoy the Golden Horn via special tours on steam vessels on weekends.

Visitors to the museum will also have the opportunity to witness the Penny Farthing bicycle; attempt to ride the Ginger, the world's first two-wheeled self-balancing human transporter; hear the magnificent engine sounds of classic cars; observe how steam and diesel engines actually work through “Activity Days,” which will be held in the museum's garden; and be able to go on a tour in the museum's courtyard in a 1926 model Ford TT Bus.

In addition to all these offers, children will be able to amuse themselves on the carousels situated next to the museum.

The historic tugboat Liman II, built in 1935, will weigh anchor at the museum quay four times on Saturdays and Sundays, resuming its Nostalgic Golden Horn Tours, which were initiated in 2003. Guests will experience a unique sightseeing trip during the 40-minute tour. The Liman II will remind guests of the nostalgia of the Golden Horn and offer an unforgettable experience.

The ICCA Category D International Client/Supplier Workshop draw outstanding participation by fifteen of the world's leading Convention & Visitors Bureaus to Istanbul. The ICCA Category D International Client/Supplier Workshop took place at Hilton Istanbul from June 15 – 18, 2006.

Organized since 1983, for the first time in history attendance to ICCA Category D Workshop in Istanbul was finalized 6 weeks before the event .The convention and visitors bureaus that attended the workshop represents the following cities; Brussels, Edinburgh, Geneva, Glasgow, Göteburg, Melbourne, Paris, Sydney, Tampere, The Hague, Toronto, Lisbon, Valencia, Vancouver and as the host city ICVB represented Istanbul. Clients that attended the workshop with the invitation of convention and visitor bureaus were representing conventions from 500 to 15,000 delegates. The dates of conventions vary between 2008 and 2017.

The workshop started with a welcome reception which took place at the Hilton Hotel's Terrace hosted by Hilton Management Team. Then the participants depart for the boat tour and dinner on the Bosphorus Princess Boat sponsored by Plan Tours and catering by Divan Hotels.

Prof. Dr. Eric Forssberg, the Chairman of the steering committee of the International Mineral Processing Congress, which will be held in Istanbul in September 2006, attended the workshop by the invitation of ICVB.

On the second day, the workshop session started at Hilton Hotel Sadirvan Room. The clients visited the bureaus stands in alphabetical order and the bureaus promoted their cities and checked the possibilities of hosting events in their cities. After the workshop session, the participants visited Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Center (ICEC) and watched the presentation of the venue. The presentation is followed by the lunch at the Borsa Restaurant of ICEC. After lunch, guests took an Old City panoramic bus tour and a visit to Haghia Sophia and Grand Bazaar. Clients and suppliers enjoyed the dinner with delicious meals and show hosted by Kervansaray Resturant & Night Club.

On the third day, after client and supplier forums and de-briefing, participants had their lunch at the Konyali Restaurant within the Gardens of Topkapi Palace and visited the Topkapi Palace Museum. In the afternoon, the participants enjoyed the optional programs. The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul's Laveda Spa hosted the participants for a relaxing session with Turkish Bath, sauna, steam bath and traditional Turkish Massage.

For the dinner, the guests crossed to the Asian Side of Istanbul which gave them the chance to experience the breathtaking view of the Bosphorus and had the dinner at Eftalya Balik Restaurant at Beylerbeyi. Mrs. Pat Soen, the ICCA representative and all participants thanked ICVB for the successful program and ICVB General Manager Handan Boyce thanked ICCA for giving Istanbul the chance to host this important workshop and participating bureaus for coming and inviting their clients.

ICVB would like to thank to all of its supporting members; Decar Rent A Car, Divan Hotels, Gemini Tourism, Hilton Istanbul, Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center, Kervansaray Restaurant and Night Club, Plan Tours, Teamcon Congress Services Worldwide, The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul and VIP Tourism and also Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry Istanbul Directorate, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace Museum Managements for their support and contribution to host ICCA Category D Workshop in Istanbul with great success.

2006 Skål International President Jan Sunde visited Istanbul to attend 50th anniversary of Istanbul Skål Club.

On June 25, 2006 Skål Istanbul organized a Bosphorus cruise tour on historic Halas ship. Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry presented world-famous Iznik tile and Skal Istanbul presented appreciation plaque to President Jan Sunde.

On June 26, a special cocktail organized followed by a dinner organized at Divan Kuruçesme accompanied by performances of Mr. Cole and Waltz Orchestra.

Park Inn, the new and energetic mid-market hotel brand operated by Rezidor SAS, is planning to open a hotel next to Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport . The new hotel which is expected to open in 2008, projected to have 500 bed capacity.

The Park Inn hotel will be opened in Kurtköy, close to Istanbul Formula 1 race track and Sabiha Gökçen Airport .

Harem Hotel celebrated its 41st anniversary with two summer welcoming parties on June 16 and 17.

On June 16, Harem Hotel hosted its client company representatives. Harem Hotel presented appreciation plaques to their clients according to their sales. On June 17, tourism professionals including members of TUROB, TÜRSAB and SKAL Club attended the celebration party.

Sürmeli Hotels & Resorts celebrated its 35th year with a special night organized at Sürmeli Istanbul on June 10th.

Sürmeli Group Vice President Eda Sürmeli said at the night that they made provisions of YTL26 million for renovation of 4 properties in 2005. Renovation at 4 properties in Adana, Istanbul, Ankara and Ephesus will be finalized in 2007. Eda Sürmeli said, Sürmeli gave plaques to its employees that have worked for the group for the last 10 years.

One section of the lost city walls, dating back to the period when Roman emperor Constantin had first founded Istanbul (Constantinople), was discovered Archeologist Metin Gökçay in Yenikapi Istanbul old town.

Alongside Constantine city walls, Gökçay also found remains of the first settlement on the coast of Istanbul, the neighbourhood of Elephterion, as well as remains of the Port of Elephterion Including its 1600 year-old wooden legs, dating back to the fourth century, now located as 400 metres behind the coastal line.

Adile Sultan Palace opened on June 28, 2006 by the host company of UKTAS which is the management company of Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC).

Guests welcomed with classical music and drank their cocktails with the sounds of jazz music. Guests danced throughout the night in front of the magnificent view of Bosphorus from Kandilli ridge accompanied by the music of Istanbul's popular band; ‘Istanbul Gelisim'.

President of Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) Basaran Ulusoy gave information about the new venue. The Adile Sultan Palace has an actual area of 5625 square meters. The new venue of Istanbul accommodates a meeting / banqueting hall for 500 people, a meeting hall for 200 people, a 1300 square meters hall for cocktails and exhibitions, 20 seminar rooms, a museum, a dining hall for 150 people and a cafeteria for 60 people.

Basaran Ulusoy, who is also the deputy director of historical venue management company UKTAS's executive board, said they are happy to have regained such a valuable, historical venue and added that they will preserve this valuable artifact in line with its physical and spiritual value as we open it for social and cultural activities and congresses.

Adile Sultan Palace will be managed by UKTAS International Congress Facilities Management which also operates Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC).

Located at one of the most glorious place of Bosphorus in Kandilli, Adile Sultan Palace was built in 1876 by Sultan Abdulmecit for his sister. The architect of the palace was Sarkis Balyan who was also worked for Ciragan Palace.

Adile Sultan Palace who was used as Kandilli Kiz Lisesi (Women's College) after the death of Adile Sultan underwent a fire in 1986.

Istanbul Modern, Turkey's first modern art museum is hosting “True Stories” by the French photographer, writer, and painter François-Marie Banier through 27 August.

A painting exhibition about Ottoman's Sultan Mehmed IV is on display at the Pera Museum until October 1st. A series of paintings of Sultan Mehmed IV who was known as “The Hunter” from his hunting expedition to Edirne is on display by the curator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karin Adahl from the Swedish Research Institute.

Open Air concerts in Istanbul are one of the most entertaining activities for Istanbulities during summer. Organized by Most Production, Harbiye Open Air Concerts are starting on July 25 th and will continue until August 5 th . Important and popular names of music industry will sing in Istanbul. Goran Bregovich, Haris Alexiou, Orient Expressions, Candan Erçetin, Erol Evgin, Nilüfer, Duman are some of the singers that will attend this year's event.

Depeche Mode world famous electronic music band from the town of Basildon, England is coming to give a concert in Istanbul after 5 years of their last concert in the city. Depeche Mode which influenced many of today's popular recording artists, has sold over 72 million albums worldwide. Depeche Mode will give a concert at Kuruçesme Arena on July 30th.

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Red Bull Air Race Bound for Istanbul

Last year Istanbul successfully hosted the international Formula 1 Grand Prix and will now host a new international race.

This year's international event will take place, not on ground, but in the air.

The fifth leg of the Red Bull Air Race World Series will be held on July 29 in Istanbul. The race is open to public and can be watched from 3pm between the Galata and Unkapani bridges.

Eleven pilots will compete in the race, with pilot finishing the two-lap race in the shortest time taking first place. In the competition pilots must fly between 18-meter towers and perform acrobatics.

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Open Sea Yacht Races Starting from Istanbul

Turkey's oldest, most prestigious and long-range yacht rally -Naval Forces Cup - is starting on July 14 from Çengelköy, Istanbul. Organized by Turkey Open Sea Race Club (TAYK), Turkish Naval Forces, and Sabah Newspaper will bring 50 boats and 700 yachtsmen to Turkish waters.

The first stage of the race took place between Istanbul and Bozcaada. Second stage took place between Bozcaada and Cesme. Çesme – Bodrum route will end with Sabah Eastern Aegean Yachting Week.

Sabah Naval Forces' Cup winners will get their cups at D-Marin Turgutreis Marine on July 22. Racers would travel more than 430 sea miles at the end of the race.

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Istanbul Ataturk Airport Hosted 6th AIREX Fair

The sixth AIREX Civil Aviation and Airport Fair, which is the single civil only aviation show in Eurasia, took place at Istanbul Atatürk Airport between 8 and 11 June. Organized with the support of the Turkish Transportation Ministry and the sponsorship of Turkish Airlines, AIREX hosted exhibitors representing the complete scope of the aviation Industry including several aircraft manufacturers, (e.g. Airbus, Boeing) and manufacturers of various airport equipments.

Through the last decade, the Region, covering the Balkans, the Middle East, CIS countries and the Turkish Republics of Central Asia, has faced an era of total restructuring, in view of emerging political, economical and social formations. In parallel to these developments, the accumulated needs and those emerging created a tremendous growth potential in Civil Aviation and Airport Industries in the Region. The recent developments in the Region prove that performing in these emerging markets that are among the fastest growing Aviation and Airport markets in the World will contribute significantly to the companies and the industry.

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