All About Turkey

Mesir Paste in UNESCO's list

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:02:00 +0000

Manisa's Mesir Paste has entered into the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
So far Turkey has 10 items in this List:

1)Meddahlik (art of public story telling) Tradition (2008)

2)Mevlevi Semah Ceremony (2008)

3)Asiklik (folk poets or minstrelsy) Tradition (2009)

4)Karagoz Shadow Theater (2009)

5)Newroz (common tradition also in Azerbaijan, India, Iran, Kirgyzstan, Uzbekstan, Pakistan, 2009)

6)Traditional Conversations Meetings (Yaren, Barana, Sira nights, and others, 2010)

7)Alevi-Bektasi Ritual Semah (2010)

8)Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival (2010)

9)Ceremonial Keskek tradition (2011)

10)Mesir Paste Festival (2012)

International Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:24:00 +0000

International Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival (SANLAND), which is the world's 6th largest sand sculpture festival by the size of its sculptures and the area they occupy, is a mega exhibition of sand sculptures. It can be visited between 2nd of June - 29th of October, 2012. The exhibitions will be open daily from 10:00 until 23:00.

Entrance fees are 8 Turkish Liras for adults, 4 Liras for student & children.

Antalya Aquarium opened

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:11:00 +0000

Antalya Aquarium opened its gates to visitors on August 15th. It has the World's biggest underwater tunnel (131 meters long and 3 meters wide) and World's 5th & Europe's 2nd largest tank with the capacity of its main tank (5 million liters). It houses more than 20 thousand fish and sea creatures.

Besides the aquariums, within the complex there is a "Snow World" which is the largest indoor snow venue in Turkey using real snow. There are igloos, Santa Claus’s house and cafes inside the Snow World, with an indoor temperatures of -5° C. Visitors will enjoy the real snow by wearing special insulating clothes given to them at the entrance.
Operating hours of the Antalya Aquarium are between 10:00 - 24:00. Ticket costs for 2012 are: 33 Turkish Liras for adults, 26 Liras for children between 3-12 years. Free of charge for 0-2 years. The entrance to the "Snow World" is an extra 15 Liras.

Catalhoyuk in World Heritage List

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:28:00 +0000

As of 1st of July 2012, the Neolithic Site of Catalhoyuk entered into the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The site, located in the province of Konya in Central Anatolia, is dating back to 7400 BC. With this new entry, Turkey now has 11 sites in the Cultural Heritage List.

International Gumusluk Classical Music Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 22:11:00 +0000

The 9th edition of International Gümüşlük Classical Music Festival will begin on July 5th and will continue until September 7th, 2012.

The festival is organized by the Gümüşlük Culture and Art Association in Bodrum’s Gümüşlük town with the participation of musicians from around the world. One of the longest-term festivals in Turkey, the International Gümüşlük Classical Music Festival will host 19 concerts by leading Turkish and international musicians.

Festival program:

July 5 - Bilkent Symphony Orchestra, soloist Gülsin Onay

July 9 - Bremenhaven Stadtheater Ballet, Carmina Burana (Germany)

July 23-24 - First Adnan Saygun Bodrum International Piano Competition Finals Concert

July 25 - Lilya Zilberstein (Russia), piano

July 28 - Karst de Jong (Netherlands), piano

Aug. 1 - Muza Rubackyte (Lithuania), piano

Aug. 12 - Jonathan Plowright (England), piano

Aug. 16 - Erol Erdinç

Aug. 18-19 - Sibel Köse Group

Aug. 24-25 - Ayşe Gencer, İmer Demirer Group

Aug. 31-Sept. 1- Sarp Maden Group

Sept. 7 - Gülsin Onay (Turkey), piano

Turkey ranking 6th in the Top Tourism Destinations list

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:20:00 +0000

According to the "Tourism Highlights Edition 2012" journal published by the UNWTO (UN World Tourism Organization), Turkey has grown up its tourism figures in 2011. According to this data, Turkey hold 7th position in 2010 but in 2011 moved one place up to 6th position in the "Top 10 tourism destinations" list, with almost 30 million visitors last year.
Based on the International Tourist Arrivals, the Top 10 Tourism Destinations list is (and million visitors in 2011):

1 France 79.5

2 United States 62.3

3 China 57.6

4 Spain 56.7

5 Italy 46.1

6 Turkey 29.3

7 United Kingdom 29.2

8 Germany 28.4

9 Malaysia 24.7

10 Mexico 23.4

Aspendos Opera & Ballett Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:34:00 +0000

The 19th International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival will meet audiences in 2012 from June 14th to July 4th and from Sept 3rd to 15th in the magical atmosphere of the Aspendos Ancient Theater in Antalya province.

European Museums Day in Turkey on May 18th

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:09:00 +0000

Due to the "European Museum Day" on May 18th, below museums in Turkey will be open until 23:00 hours on that day. During the regular operating hours these museums will be visited paying for the regular ticket, but after their normal closure time (around 19:00) entrance will be free of charge until 23:00.

1- Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum
2- Ankara Etnography Museum
3- Antalya Museum
4- Istanbul Archaeology Museum
5- Istanbul Hagia Sophia Museum
6- Istanbul Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
7- Izmir Archaeology Museum
8- Burdur Museum
9- Gaziantep Zeugma Mozaics Museum
10- Eskisehir Eti Archaeology Museum
11- Nigde Museum
12- Ephesus Museum
13- Konya Mevlana Museum
14- Corum Museum
15- Sinop Museum
16- Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum
17- Sivas Museum
18- Mugla Fethiye Museum
19- Bartin Amasra Museum
20- Kastamonu Museum
21- Amasya Museum
22- Elazig Museum

Most visited Turkish Museums in 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:48:00 +0000

The top three sites tourists visited in Turkey in 2011 were Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the ruins of Ephesus in Izmir.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 3.7 million tourists visited Topkapi Palace while 3.1 million visited the Hagia Sophia last year. Nearly 2 million tourists visited Ephesus in 2011.
The Mevlana Museum in Konya had 1,7 million visitors and Hierapolis in Pamukkale - Denizli had 1,6 million visitors.
Other museums that drew the most number of visitors in 2011 were Goreme Open Air Museum in Cappadocia - Nevsehir, St. Nicholas church, Myra site and Aspendos theater in Antalya, Troia site in Canakkale, Kariye (St. Savior in Chora) Museum in Istanbul, St. Jean church in Selcuk - Izmir, and Underwater Archaeology Museum in Bodrum.

Blue Flagged beaches and marinas in Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 22:02:00 +0000

More beaches in Turkey get the "Blue Flag", a certification given to beaches and marinas that meet the standards of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Turkey had 127 Blue Flag-certificated beaches in 2002, increased this number to 314 in 2011 plus 17 marinas, and now ranks fourth in the world after Spain, Greece and France.

The region with the highest number of blue flag beaches in Turkey is the southern Mediterranean city of Antalya, followed by the Aegean districts of Mugla and Izmir.

New currency sign for Turkish Lira

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 13:08:00 +0000

On 1st of March 2012 the Turkish Central Bank unveiled a brand new currency sign for Turkish lira. From now on, the symbol of the Turkish currency will be a semblance of an anchor, which is a combination of Latin letters ‘T’ and ‘L’, crossed in the middle by two lines at an angle of 20 degrees. The anchor simbolizes the stability of the Lira, and the two lines symbolizes two suspension bridges in Istanbul connecting Asia to Europe. The new sign, created by Mrs. Tulay Lale, was the winner out of 8362 entries submitted to a country-wide open contest.

Starting from this year, the Central Bank will emit all new paper money and coins with this new currency sign. The Government aims to make the Turkish Lira accepted world-wide and that this new sign would be permanent. There are conflicting feelings by the people for the new Lira sign, some liked it and some didn't.

Below you can view the new sign.

Izmir Film Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 23:09:00 +0000

12th edition of the Izmir International Film Festival will be held between 21-28 April 2012 with the participation of various Turkish and foreign films and artists.

Having continued as the “Izmir International Film Festival” from 1989 on, the event filled a significant gap in Izmir's cultural life with regards to film activities. The festival has been carried on until the year 2000.

After a pause of eleven years, the launching of a film festival of international scope signifies an important step not only in means of catering to the necessity of such an activity but also with regards to the continuation of the cultural missions of Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey; the Cinema-TV department (“the Department of Film Design”), one of the first film schools of Turkey and consequently, of the Dokuz Eylul University.

Turkish film wins award at Sundance

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:47:00 +0000

Turkish director Rasit Celikezer has been presented with the special jury award at the 12th Sundance Film Festival for his film “Can”. The film was selected as the Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Prize for Artistic Vision. The Sundance Film Festival is the premier showcase for independent films held each January in Park City, Utah - USA. The film previously won the Behlül Dal Jury Special Prize at the Golden Orange Film Festival organized in Antalya.

Latest population of Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:31:00 +0000

According to the Turkish Statistical Institude, as of 31 December 2011, Turkey's official population reached 74.724.269, marking an increase of 1.001.281 persons compared to the previous year.

The proportion of population living in Istanbul is 18,2% (13.624.240 persons). This province is followed by Ankara with 6,6% (4.890.893 persons), Izmir with 5,3% (3.965.232 persons), Bursa with 3,6% (2.652.126 persons) and Adana with 2,8% (2.108.805 persons), respectively. Population size of Bayburt as the least populated province in Turkey is 76.724.

Wi-Fi internet on Turkish Airlines

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Turkish Airlines starts Wi-Fi internet access onboard on their Trans-Atlantic flights. Passengers are now able to access high-speed, unlimited Internet with laptops, tablets, smartphones or any other device that is WLAN-enabled. The internet service will initially be provided free of charge as an introductory offer, and then at the end of this period passengers will be able to buy the service with their credit card onboard.

Hatay is becoming a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:10:00 +0000

The Mediterranean province of Hatay is now preparing to become a “World City of Gastronomy.” Hatay’s application to become a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy via its cuisine that includes 600 different dishes has been approved. A committee will come to the province in the coming days to complete formalities prior to the official designation.

There are also many sights in Turkey that are in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Selcuk Camel Wrestling matches

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:36:00 +0000

30th edition of Selcuk Camel Wrestling matches were held near Ephesus last weekend. Some 17-18 thousand spectators attended this year's show to see the matches between 116 bull camels. The winner of the Selcuk Camel Wrestling in 2012 is Çilgin Ozer (Crazy Ozer), which was the winner of the last 5 years.

As usual, this wrestling matches are pure fun with no harm to the camels.

China Culture Year in Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:14:00 +0000

2012 will be celebrated as "China Culture Year" in Turkey. During the culture year, various radio and cinema shows, educational events, acrobatic displays and puppet shows will showcase China's literature, art and cultural heritage in the Turkish cities of Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, Mersin and Trabzon.

Hundreds of ancient Chinese artifacts will be displayed in Turkey, while Chinese orchestras will give concerts. A Chinese film week is also slated during the culture year.

In China, 2013 will be celebrated as “Turkey Culture Year.”

15 Destinations on the rise - Fethiye is #5

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:28:00 +0000

Trip Advisor has mentioned the 15 destinations around the world which are on the rise as tourist destinations and becoming very popular. One of them, at number 5, is Fethiye. You can read the full article at the original link.

Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:51:00 +0000

19th edition of Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival will be held between 14 June - 15 September 2012. The location for the festival will be the ancient Roman theater in Aspendos, near Antalya. 2012 festival schedule will be as below:

June 14th: TURANDOT by Izmir State Opera and Ballet

June 20th RIGOLETTO by Estonian National Opera

June 25th PRINCE IGOR by Ekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theater

June 30th LA TRAVIATA by South Korea Daegu Opera and Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra and Chorus

July 4th ZORBA by Mersin - Samsun State Opera and Ballet

September 3rd MADAMA BUTTERFLY by China - Beijing Opera

September 6th LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR by Antalya State Opera and Ballet

September 10th SWAN LAKE by Directorate of State Opera and Ballet

September 15th TANNHAUSER by Ankara State Opera and Ballet

Performances will start at 21:00 in June and at 20:30 in September. Directorate General of the State Opera and Ballet can make modifications and changes in the programs without any prior notice.

Burak

International Antalya Jazz Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:58:00 +0000

The International Antalya Jazz Festival will be held between 20-24 July 2011 in Aspendos anfitheater near Antalya for the first time this year. Many jazz artists will attend the festival; Monica Molina, Lisa Ekdahl, Cesaria Evora, Macy Gray, Al di Meola World Sinfonia, Nino Katamadze, and Fahir Atakoglu.

The festival program is like this:

20 July: Mehmet ikiz trio featuring China Moses and Monica Molina
21 July: Nino Katamadze & Insight and Lisa Ekhdal
22 July: L’Orchestre de Contrebasses and Cesaria Evora
23 July: NY Gypsy All Stars and Macy Gray
24 July: Fahir Atakoğlu Trio and Al di Meola World Sinfonia

Selimiye Mosque in Edirne is in the World Heritage List

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:09:00 +0000

The Selimiye Mosque Complex in Edirne is one of the best examples of famous architect Sinan who built it in the 16th century by the wish of Ottoman sultan Selim. In 27th of June 2011 the Mosque is acknowledged at the UNESCO's World Heritage List. With this new entry Turkey has 10 heritage sites in the List, out of 936 properties (as of June 2011). Here they are:

- Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (acknowledged in 1985)
- Great (Ulu) Mosque and Hospital (Darüssifa) of Divrigi in Sivas (in 1985)
- Historic Areas of Istanbul (in 1985)
- Hattusha (Bogazkoy) - Hittite Capital (in 1986)
- Nemrut Mountain in Adiyaman (in 1987)
- Hierapolis - Pamukkale (in 1988)
- Xanthos - Letoon near Antalya (in 1988)
- City of Safranbolu (in 1994)
- Archaeological Site of Troy (in 1998)
- Selimiye Mosque Complex in Edirne (27 June 2011)

To see all heritage sites in Turkey on a map please click here.

To see the complete list of UNESCO please click here.

Four more Citta' Slow (Slow City) in Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:31:00 +0000

In December 2009 Seferihisar town near Izmir was announced as the first Citta' Slow (Slow City) of Turkey. Now, as of June 2011, the Citta' Slow Commission has accepted four more Turkish towns as Slow City: Akyaka in the province of Mugla, Yenipazar in the province of Aydin, Gokceada Island near Canakkale, and Tarakli in the province of Sakarya.

With these last Turkish "Citta' Slow"s, Turkey is now rappresented in this commission with 5 cities/towns and thus will be hosting in Turkey the official global meeting of Citta' Slow in 2013.

"Slow City" (or Citta'slow in Italian), meaning that town has preserved its culture and heritage, its traditional buildings and locations, have less traffic (so, walking is a must), don't have junk-food (fast food), and so on. There are over 50 criteria to become a Slow City.

Bodrum Ballett Festival 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:27:00 +0000

9th edition of International Bodrum Ballett Festival will be held at Bodrum Castle between 15 August - 3 September, 2011. The program is below:

15.8.2011 Istanbul Mosaic
18.8.2011 I Don QUIXOTE
21.8.2011 Carmen
22.8.2011 Carmen
25.8.2011 ROCK & ROLL
26.8.2011 ROCK & ROLL
29.8.2011 Call of Mevlana
1.9.2011 LOS VIVANCOS 7 brothers
2.9.2011 LOS VIVANCOS 7 brothers
3.9.2011 LOS VIVANCOS 7 brothers

Erzurum is "One of the 41 places to go in 2011"

noreply@blogger.com (Burak Sansal) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 14:15:00 +0000

The New York Times has published a list of the best places to go in 2011. These can be either some beach area, a cultural city, or a ski resort. The city of Erzurum and its ski resort Palandoken was selected as one of these 41 places to go in 2011. Here what the article says about Erzurum:

"Skiing in Turkey? A winter sports capital emerges in Anatolia.

Turkey may not be the first place people think of for skiing, but it’s got mountains — big, snowy ones. Now the government is making a push to turn Erzurum, a city of 785,000 in eastern Anatolia, into a winter sports capital in time for this month’s 2011 Winter Universiade (sort of an Olympics for university students). Two and a half miles from town lies the ski resort of Palandoken, which the Iranian skiers who come here know has the most challenging skiing in Turkey. Three lifts have been added to the bald mountain that rises nearly 3,000 feet from its base to its summit at 10,498. The number of runs is a modest 18 — but the fun skiing is off-piste, between the runs, on Palandoken’s 2,200 acres.

About 11 miles from Erzurum sits the new Konakli Ski Resort, which opened this winter with six chairlifts and 3,000 acres of skiing. A new five-star hotel is scheduled to open next season; until it does, rent a car for day trips and stay at Palandoken’s Renaissance Polat Erzurum Hotel."