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- Since
its inception in 1996, this unique festival lasts more than a month
and it is one of the largest of its kind in the U.S.
The Festival theme, “Colors of Anatolia”, reflects the
diversity and richness of Turkish culture, ranging from art
exhibits, workshops, gastronomic presentations and concerts to
Turkish cinema.
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- Festival
dates are extended 15 days this year compared to previous years to
accommodate the intensive program. For the opening of the Festival,
I invite you to our traditional Flag Raising Ceremony which will
take place on October 29th.
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- I
am delighted to inform you that Boston Turkish Festival continues to
expand its film offerings. We
bring another “first” to North America, “The Films of Reha
Erdem”, which will be screened at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
from November 30th thru December 9th.
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- Documentary
and Short Film Competition of the Boston Turkish Festival will take
place from November 23rd thru November 28th at
the Harvard Film Archive and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This
year 20 documentaries and short films will be competing for Best
Documentary and Best Short Film Awards alongside the Audience Awards
in the same categories. Each year close to hundred films are
submitted to the competition from Canada, Germany, Holland, Iran,
Turkey, U.K., U.S.A.
Thus, film enthusiasts in Boston will enjoy a rare
opportunity to view documentaries and short films by emerging
Turkish directors who live around the world as well as in Turkey.
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- In
the first exhibition of the Festival, “ The Eyewitness of History:
Anatolia” by artist Cemile Akpınar, you will explore the
mythical gods and goddesses that were revered alongside the kings
and queens who ruled Anatolia’s ancient civilizations. Exhibition
will be opened on November 2nd and the paintings will be
on display until November 15th.
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- A
Tezhip (Illumination) workshop by artist Gülhis Diptaş will
also take place on November 6th at the Museum of Fine
Arts, Boston. Ms. Diptaş,
one of the Turkey’s new generation of illuminators, will talk
about the art of tezhip and demonstrate her techniques. This
workshop is also a part of the ongoing exhibition “Glittering
Gold: Illumination in Islamic Art” which will remain open until
January 27, 2008 at MFA.
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- Another
highlight of this year’s Festival is Nedret Andre’s oil painting
exhibition, “Silk Road” which will be on display from November
17th thru December 15th.
Ms. Andre investigates
the idea of cultural exchange and interdependence and continues to
re-interpret cultural and art historical influences in her
paintings.
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- In
the concerts section, “Esthema” will perform their debut concert
“Aegean Connection” on November 11th at the Kresge
Auditorium of the M.I.T. The five musicians that shape the sound of
Esthema will bring together both Western and Eastern instruments to
form a unique fusion. Bass-baritone
Bülent Güneralp and Soprano Ceren Akyıldız, joined by
Karabey Aydoğan with bağlama and voice, will perform
the unforgettable Ruhi Su folk songs first time in North America,
paying tribute to the legendary musician and composer on December 9th
at the Tower Auditorium of the Massachusetts College of Art.
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- In
the gastronomic section of the Festival, “Anatolia: A Crossroads
of Flavors”, you will be able to explore exquisite samples of
Turkish wines produced from domestic grape varieties of Anatolia,
which has a long tradition of making wine. Turkish wines will be
pairing the dishes of internationally acclaimed Chef Özcan Ozan,
author of the cookbook, “Sultan’s Kitchen”. Please
join us for an evening of Turkish food and wine tasting at the
Boston University’s Food and Wine Program on December 7th.
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- With
this opportunity, we would like to thank our supporters, board
members and co-presenters as well as individual, corporate and
organizational sponsors whose commitments made this festival to
become one of the great cultural traditions in Boston.
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- Enjoy
the Festival!
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- Erkut
Gömülü
- Director
and Founder
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