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News
from Chicago
Interest in all things Turkish is more pronounced this
year then ever before,
starting with the number of groups traveling to Turkey
from Chicago.
Turkish
Airlines managed to transport a group of 400 Americans
(over three days)
mostly from the Grand Rapids, Michigan, in September and
another 200 members
of a group left for Turkey in early October.
Since Chicago's Mayor Richard Daley and his wife Maggie
have expressed an interest
in Turkey, Chicago has arranged for the visit of various
cultural groups. Chicago is a sister city with 23 capitals
around the world....the
Turkish community here is hoping Ankara will be the 24th.
Recently Kenani Cemal and Sulukule group performed on
three different occasions
to record crowds.
Invited by the Cultural Department of the City
of
Chicago, the gypsy fidlers participated in the World Music
Festival.
Turkish Rock/Pop Music Concert by Ayna was enthusiasticaly
received by several
hundred Turks recently in Chicago.
Other Turkish Culture activities included 20-booth exhibition
in the annual Travel
and Incentive Show at McCormick Place where hoteliers,
tour operators
and artists such as Aydin Cayir, calligrapher, demonstrated
his talents.
Mrs. Sel Erder Yackley, recently lectured on Turkey: Cradle
of Numerous Civilizations
as part of the Live and Learn Series sponsored by Latin
School
parents.
Mehmet Ak, original owner and chef of Cousin's, has opened
a brand new Cousin's
restaurant on the Northwest Side of Chicago. More than 100 Turks and
Americans attended the Grand Opening first week of October.
Prof. Dr. Ayhan Lash gave a lecture of "Auto Immune
Diseases: Why So Many Women"
to the International Women's Associates.
She is a professor of Nursing at Northern Illinois
University.
Turkish American Cultural Alliance is planning a Cumhuriyet
Balosu on Octber
26th at the McCormick Hyatt.
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Stephen
Kinzer will be speaking on Turkey to the monthly
meeting of the international
women's
associates Nov. 13 at a dinner in downtown Chicago.
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Marianne
and Stephen Kinzer had Semire Kirgiz,
Turkish Airlines Director (left), and Sedat Nemli,
Kempinksi representative in NY City, with Sel Erder
Yacley over to dinner shortly after Kinzer returned
from Iran. |
New York Times Correspondent Stephen Kinzer will be speaking
about his acclaimed
book "Crescent
and Star: Turkey
Between Two Worlds," in mid November.
Translated into four languages, Kinzer describes the role
of this secular
country among islamic nations as being pivotol and will
talk passionately
about his experiences of living in Istanbul and traveling
all over
Turkey for four years.
The Turkish Culture Group of the International Women's
Associates are planning
half a dozen programs during the next six months, culminating
in a Gala
event at Four Seasons titled "Istanbul Night and
Turkish Delights." IWA
has 500 members from 90 different nations. "All of
a sudden it is 'in' to
be Turkish," said Meral Bensch, chairman of the Gala
which will feature Turkish
cuisine, Turkish
music, fashions, entertainment and items to be
auctioned
off.
The date is April 5th.
"We want to have 400 persons attend the gala
and would
like a good turnout by Turks also. We want to make this
an unforgetable
event so we are looking for sponsors," said Mrs.
Bensch.
For more information please contact Sel Erder Yackley
at > seliko@earthlink.net
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