Turkish news for week ending 06 September 2008

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x0x Turkish news for week ending 06 September 2008

[Best when viewed with the courier font.]

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A service of the TURKISH RADIO HOUR, producer of:

TURKISH CULTURAL PROGRAM
Saturdays at 6:00 P.M.
KUSF FM 90.3, San Francisco

Also tune to

ORIENT EXPRESS
Tuesdays at 10:00 P.M.
KKUP FM 91.5, CUPERTINO

****************************************************************
Ahmet Toprak edited today's news. Your hosts are Senem Ozer and Murat
Bozkurt.

For a subscription to the Internet edition of this news,
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***************************************************************

NEWS

Edited by Gokce Gokalp

* Ceremonies marking the 89th anniversary of the Sivas
Congress were held in Sivas on Thursday.
Addressing the festivities, Turkey's President
Abdullah Gul stated, "I once more declare that the
unity of this country can never again be ruined."
He added, "Once again we remember how hard it was to
establish this country, and what kind of sacrifices
were made to lay the foundation of the Turkish
Republic."
In related news, Turkish Parliament Speaker Koksal
Toptan, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and main
opposition Republican People's Party  leader Deniz
Baykal also issued messages marking the anniversary
reported the Turkish daily Cumhuriyet.
Sivas Congress was an assembly of the Turkish
National Movement held from 4 September to 11 September
1919 in the city of Sivas, in central-eastern Turkey,
that united delegates from all Anatolian provinces of
the Ottoman Empire, which was defunct at the time in
practical terms.
At the time of the convention, the Ottoman state
capital Istanbul as well as many provincial cities and
regions were under occupation.
The call for the congress had been issued by Mustafa
Kemal Pasha with his Amasya Circular three months
before and the preparatory work had been handled during
Erzurum Congress. The congress at Sivas took a number
of vital decisions which were fundamentally to shape
the future policy to be conducted in the frame of the
Turkish War of Independence.

* According to the Turkish daily newspaper Milliyet,
President Abdullah Gul made a telephone call to
President Bush on Tuesday.
During their conversation, they exchanged views on
regional and international issues, and Gul told Bush
about Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's proposal
for a Caucasus platform to restore peace and stability
to the region.
The Kirkuk issue and comprehensive Cyprus talks set
to start today were also discussed.

* President Abdullah Gul has accepted Armenian
President Serzh Sarkisian's invitation to watch a 2010
soccer World Cup qualifying match between Turkey and
Armenia this weekend in Armenia's capital Yerevan,
Turkey's Presidential Press Center announced on
Wednesday according to the Turkish daily newspaper
Aksam.
The game ended with the Turkish team scoring 2 to 0.
The Turkish President said the visit was fruitful and
many issues between the two countries were briefly
discussed, reports the Turkish daily Hurriyet.
Mr. Gul is the first Turkish President to visit
Armenia after it received its independence from the
Soviet Union in 1991.
Turkish foreign affairs Minister says the
rapprochement between the two countries is an indirect
result of Russia's invasion of Georgia.
The fighting in neighboring Georgia "showed we need
to come up with a fresh approach to resolutions of
conflicts in the Caucasus," he said, and that meant
including Armenia.
Meanwhile, Agence France-Presse reports that the
Turkish main opposition leader Deniz Baykal criticized
the Turkish President's visit. Mr. Baykal says Armenia
has not done anything to change its hostile policies
towards Turkey.

* Commenting on President Abdullah Gul's accepting
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian's invitation to
watch the World Cup qualifying match between the
national football teams of the two countries in Yerevan
this weekend, US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson
praised Gul's decision as a positive step forward,
reports the Turkish daily Star.
Stating that the US has always supported
Turkish-Armenian dialogue, Ambassador Wilson said that
Gul's visit would contribute to the creation of a more
peaceful, cooperative and harmonious Caucasus.
He also stressed that the US continues to work with
Turkey on common interests in the region.

* Saban Disli, deputy leader of the ruling Justice and
Development Party and Sakarya deputy, resigned from his
top party positions on Wednesday after being accused of
accepting $1 million in bribes reported the Turkish
daily Hurriyet.
He said in a written statement, "I've resigned from
my party positions so that I can wage a better legal
fight against the accusations and stop the opposition's
efforts to discredit my party."
But top main opposition Republican People's Party
officials called Disli's move insufficient, saying the
Justice and Development Party deputy should be stripped
of his parliamentary immunity and face trial.
Mr. Disli stands accused of using his influence to
change the zoning of some land in Silivri, Istanbul, in
exchange for $1 million.

* Following six months of preparations, official
negotiations for a comprehensive settlement between the
Turkish and Greek Cypriot sides on  on the long-divided
island of Cyprus began on Wednesday.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Mehmet
Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Hristofyas
met at the residence of Taye-Brook Zerihoun, the UN
secretary-general's Cyprus mission chief, in the buffer
zone in Lefkosha.
Also present at the gathering was UN Special Envoy to
Cyprus Alexander Downer.
Following the three-hour talks, Mr. Downer told
reporters that the leaders would meet again next
Thursday to discuss power-sharing and administrative
issues reported the Turkish daily Hurriyet.

SPORTS

SOCCER

Premier League, Second Week
Date	Host team		Guest team	Score
29.08.2008 	MKE ANKARAGUCU 	-	TRABZONSPOR A.$. 	1-2
30.08.2008 	ANKARASPOR A.$. 	-	GAZIANTEPSPOR 	0-2
30.08.2008 	KOCAELISPOR 	-	SIVASSPOR 	0-2
30.08.2008 	FENERBAHCE 	-	BUYUK$EHIR BLD.SPOR 	2-0
31.08.2008 	DENIZLISPOR 	-	ANTALYASPOR A.$. 	3-2
31.08.2008 	KAYSERISPOR 	-	GALATASARAY A.$. 	0-0
31.08.2008 	ESKI$EHIRSPOR 	-	HACETTEPE SPOR 	0-0
31.08.2008 	BURSASPOR 	-	GENCLERBIRLIGI 	2-0
01.09.2008 	BE$IKTA$ A.$. 	-	KONYASPOR 	2-0

ARTS AND CULTURE

Edited by Carol Dean

* The Turkish Daily News reports that Turkey is this
year's guest of honor at the 2008 Frankfurt Book Fair.
Many events have been organized to promote Turkey
before the fair begins in Frankfurt on Oct. 15.  The
Turkish Contemporary Literature Symposium, which will
be organized at Literaturhaus-Berlin Literature House
this Friday and Saturday, is one of them.
The event, organized by the committee overseeing the
Turkey guest of honor program for the book fair and the
Turkish Publishers Association, aims at informing
German academics, writers, translators, publishers,
press and the public about Turkish literature.
During the symposium, Gultekin Emre, Baki Asilturk,
Nilay Ozer and Mehmet Can Dogan will join the poem
meeting; Menekse Toprak, Ibrahim Yildirim, Behcet
Celik, Yekta Kopan, Omer Lekesiz will take part in the
Turkish contemporary narration event; and Omer Turkes,
Ahmet Sait Akcay, Atilla Birkiye, Mahir Oztas,Zafer
Senocak will be at the novel meeting.
See more at:

<http://www.buchmesse.de/imperia/celum/documents/
Cultural_Program_mL_8798.pdf>

* According to the Turkish daily Milliyet, Istanbul's
well-known art galleries are preparing for the fall
season with new exhibitions from Turkish and
internationally renowned artists. The most striking
exhibitions this season include studies on one of the
most diverse artists of the 20th century, Salvador
Dali, Che Guevera from the perspective of Alberto Diaz
Korda, and Komet.
One of the most anticipated exhibitions of the season
will open Sept. 19 at the Sabanci University Sakip
Sabanci Museum. The exhibition, titled  "A Surrealist
in Istanbul: Salvador Dali," can be visited until Jan.
19.
For its first two exhibitions, the Istanbul Museum of
Modern Art brings world-renowned artists together. The
first exhibition, titled "Held Together with Water,"
composed of the Verbund collection, will be held Sept.
10 to Jan. 11. The exhibition will display works from
37 artists, including Cindy Sherman, Gordon Mtta-Clrak
and Cecil Beaton.
The exhibition titled "In Praise of Shadows" is
curated by Paolo Colombo and will be held between Jan.
27 and May 3. It also promises to be one of the most
attractive exhibitions of the season.
Another exhibition, "The Lure of the East," which is
also on display at the Tate Britain, is coming to
Istanbul thanks to Pera Museum. The exhibition, to be
held between Sept. 26 and Jan 11 is composed of works
by British Orientalist painters.
See more at:
<http://www.istanbulmodern.org/en/f_index.html>

* According to The Turkish Daily News, The Turkish
Cultural Organization has released a five-DVD set on
Traditional Turkish Shadow Theater: Karagoz. Twenty
classic Karagoz plays are included in the set for the
first time in pursuit of the project's goal to
introduce Turkish Shadow Puppets to an international
audience.
Dr. Metin And, who is a world-renowned expert on
theatrical history and cultural archaeology, has served
as the advisor to the project, contributing his
extensive knowledge to it.  The set has an introduction
in Turkish and English and Turkey's most important
living Karagoz master, Hayali Metin Ozlen, performs the
plays. Ozlen was born in 1940 and even as a small child
was interested in the stories and the figures that make
up the characters seen on the theater screen.
The DVDs contain summaries of the plays, character
descriptions and behind-the-scenes clips. Although the
plays are performed in Turkish, there are continuous
descriptive subtitles and English summaries. They can
be played on any DVD player.  The Turkish Cultural
Organization said the Karagoz project would play a
significant role in passing this cultural value to
upcoming generations as well as introducing it to the
rest of the world in a contemporary format.
Ever since the 16th century, Karagoz has been a part
of Ottoman tradition and appeals to adults and children
alike. They were usually performed during the month of
Ramadan and formed part of the feasts held between
iftar, or the breaking of the fast in the evening, and
sahur, the last meal before daybreak.
See more at:
<http:// www.turkishcultureshop.org>
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-ykmyYGp60&NR=1>

* As part of the "Istanbul European Capital of Culture
2010" lead-up, the sixth Bogazici Festival, organized
by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, kicked off
Friday and will continue throughout September.
Turkish Daily News reports that the festival will
offer various concerts and dance performances at
historic venues in Istanbul, such as Hagia Irene
Museum, Cemiz Topuzlu Open Air Theater, Cemal Resit Rey
Performance Hall, Yerebatan Cistern and Topkapi Palace.
The festival, which started with a performance by
Arcos de Buenos Aires Tango Show at Cemal Resit Rey,
will finish Sept. 27.  Hagia Irene Museum hosted the
Orchestra of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Wednesday
night.
Founded in 1933 with the aim of presenting
contemporary and forgotten operas in visually dramatic
productions, the orchestra has been led by
world-renowned conductor Zubin Mehta since 1985. The
orchestra, which gathers the stars of classical music
together  has also received a Grammy award.
The vocal group Swingle Singers will take the stage
at the museum Sunday. The group, which has eight
members, has received four Grammy awards.
The St. Petersburg Ballet will be performing at Cemil
Topuzlu Open Air Theater, Sept.9, the English Chamber
Orchestra will be at Hagia Irene Museum Sept.12 and the
Gipsy Kings Family Concert will be performing at Cemil
Topuzlu Open Air Theater Sept. 13.
See more at:

<http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid4281>

* Turkish Daily News also reports on a program of folk
dances, poets and famed local and foreign musicians to
perform during the month of Ramadan as part of the
municipality's effort to embrace the cultural side of
Ramadan, a traditionally family-oriented Muslim
celebration that involves daily fasting and prayer.
Three locations around Istanbul will also host
children's activities, panel discussions on culture and
arts, as well as the opening of a museum featuring a
panorama of the conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
Istanbul is organizing a number of events during the
month of Ramadan from August 31 to October 2. Under the
banner of "Kandiller Yanarken", (While the oil lamps
burn), all events are free of charge.
The festivities will take place in three locations:
Feshane, Topkapi Culture Parc and Baglarbasi Culture
Center, which is a restored train station with a museum
featuring the history of Istanbul Transportation.
The three locations will host a number of panels,
exhibitions and activities for children, families and
people from every part of society. The panels will
focus on the cultural side of Ramadan rather than a
factual approach, said Huseyin Ozturk, Head of the
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's cultural and
social affairs department.
Musicians from outside of Turkey, such as Bosnian
Bedem Hymn Group, American Group Debu and BEZAD Folk
Dance Group will also travel to Turkey for the
festivities.
Additionally, the famous muezzin, (Muslim imam who
calls people to daily prayers) Ahmet Naina from Egypt
will also give a Koran reading.
Many famous Turkish singers, such as Ozdemir Erdogan,
Ahmet Ozhan, Nihat Dogan will give concerts.
Apart from that, famous poet Sunay Akin will perform
poetry readings.
The organizers plan to house guest musicians with host
families in Istanbul, and non-Turkish-speaking visitors
will be accompanied by the interpreters.
The events will also include the exhibition of items
such as food, clothing, traditional material, which
might appeal to Turkish visitors and foreigners alike.
This exhibition will take place in the Mahmut II Hall.
See more at:
<http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/1453>

* Last but not least, Turkish Daily News explains the
larger-than-life shoe sculptures that appeared around
Istanbul's most popular streets and shopping malls
starting Monday.
Shoe Art 2008, which will run until October 30,
features works of art created with products made by
Turkish textile and leather firms. A total of 150 giant
shoes designed by famous Turkish artists and
personalities will decorate bustling areas of Istanbul,
spreading art, entertainment and creativity throughout
the city.
The project aims to promote Turkish shoe brands and
provide a fun artistic event in Istanbul.
The income from the open air exhibition will be
donated to The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil
Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of
Natural Habitats and the Turkish Heart Foundation.
The shoe sculptures follow in the footsteps of the
giant cow sculptures last year and the specially
designed tulip sculptures this spring.
The cow parade was held in Istanbul in August 2007.
Profits from this event were donated to various
nongovernmental organizations.
The firm that brought the cow parade to Istanbul,
Cinema Marketing Advertisement Industry and Trade A.S,
is also responsible for the organization of Shoe Art
Istanbul.
See more at:

<http://www.mymerhaba.com/Shoe-Art-Istanbul-2008-in-Turkey-3582.html>

EXCHANGE RATE

EXCHANGE RATE for the U.S. dollar in Turkish Liras:  1.23

WEATHER

High and Low Temperatures in Degrees F, Weather

Ankara, in central Turkey----------:  86/61 Partly cloudy
Antalya, on the Mediterranean------:  90/63 Decreasing Cloudiness
Erzurum in eastern Turkey----------:  90/50 Partly cloudy
Istanbul, in northwestern Turkey---:  90/61 Decreasing Cloudiness
Izmir, on the Aegean---------------:  84/66 Decreasing Cloudiness
Trabzon, on the Black Sea----------:  86/59 Partly cloudy

Seawater temperatures

Black Sea measured at Trabzon         79
Marmara Sea measured at Tekirdag      79
Aegean Sea measured at Bodrum         79
Mediterranean Sea measured at Alanya  86

*** ANNOUNCEMENTS

*** Turkish American Association of California is a non-profit
charitable organization established to promote better
understanding between Americans and Turks.

If you have any questions about Turks and Turkey,
e-mail them at taac@taaca.org

*** Planning to go to Turkey? Take a look at our Web pages
that are full of articles and information furnished by
travelers like yourselves:

http://travel.to/sunholiday

*** For more music from Turkey and the Middle East tune to
International Cultural Program.

San Francisco World TV Channel 29
Sundays at 9-10 A.M.

*** Bay Area Turkish Community School [ See more
at:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/batcs ] will start 2008-09
school
year on Sunday September 7th with the registration at the Los
Altos
Community Center.

We hope to see the Turkish-American children (5-12 years of age)
and
their families who'd like to register or to find out more about
the
school.

2008-09 calendar and the address for the Hillview Community
Center
are:

------------ --------- --------- --------- -------
Hillview Community Center
Room 16
97 Hillview Avenue
Los Altos, CA 94022
------------ --------- --------- --------- -------

*** The Middle East Center at Berkeley [CMES/berkeley.edu] is
sponsoring a conference on Istanbul. Mst of these events are open
to the public.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
"Orienting Istanbul" Exhibition
Exhibit - Multimedia | September 24  28, 2008 every day | Wurster
Hall, 1st Floor Foyer

Thursday, September 25, 2008
Orienting Istanbul: Cultural Capital of Europe?
Conference/Symposium | September 25  27, 2008 every day | Stephens
Hall, Sultan Room, 340 Stephens Hall

The Sound of Istanbul: 1950-2004
Lecture: Interdisciplinary Lecture Series | September 25 | 5 p.m.
|
Stephens Hall, Sultan Conference Room/ Stephens 340

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