Ottawa Turkish Festival: Anatolian Night Concert and Lots More!
[Source: Ottawa Turkish Festival press release]
We invite you to join us to celebrate the Ottawa Turkish Festival!
We have been diligently putting on the Ottawa Turkish Festival for the past 4 years. We believe with ongoing support we can even make it more enjoyable. We’ve been able to reach an estimated 20,000 people and have been delighted by media coverage over the years.
The Festival in short will be open to the general public free of charge (except the Anatolian Night Concert) and will display Turkish art, folk dance, music and gourmet food, where visitors will get an opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savour Turkish hospitality, culture, heritage and cuisine. More information is available on the festival website: www.ottawaturkishfestival.com
This year the Festival promises to be even better with International performers and increased programming. Confirmed in attendance is the Anatolian Sun Quartet, Izmir Woodwind Quintet, Turkish Folk Dance Group and the Whirling Dervishes of Rumi!
A complete listing of Ottawa Turkish Festival events here.
Ottawa Turkish Festival
The Festival will be open to general public free of charge and will display Turkish art, folk dance, music and gourmet food, where visitors will get an opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savour Turkish hospitality, culture, heritage and cuisine.
The first Ottawa Turkish Festival was organized in 2007, based on the fantastic initial success it has expanded to weeklong festival. Turkish culture, dance and music have mesmerized audiences for the past four years and this year’s schedule promises no different.
Visitors will be able to browse and buy Turkish products, souvenirs and handcrafts, participate in activities for children, view many authentic demonstrations and performances, sample Turkish cuisine, and do much, much more at the Festival.
| Flag Raising Ceremony 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2011 Ottawa Police Headquarters 474 Elgin Street |
Turkish Parade Noon – 1 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2011 Sparks Street Mall (Starts at Lyon to Elgin) |
| Festival Opening Gala 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2011 Ottawa City Hall 110 Laurier Avenue West |
Festival Grounds Noon – 9 p.m. Saturday, July 23 & Sunday, July 24, 2011 Confederation Park Ottawa |
What to expect at the Festival?
- Performances of Turkish Folk Dances, Whirling Dervish of Rumi and Live Turkish Music.
- Watch an Ebru (Water Marbling) painting demonstration on paper and Classical Calligraphy Drawing.
- Relax at the Turkish Oriental Corner, decorated with pillows, rugs, arts, handicrafts, traditional jewelry and more.
- Enjoy Turkish cuisine, sample gourmet foods including kababs, donair vegetarian & olive oil dishes, Gözleme (Turkish Pancake), Börek (Turkish Flaky Pastry), Mantı (Turkish Ravioli), as well as drinks like Ayran (Turkish Buttermilk). A meal would not be complete without desert! Taste Baklava, Turkish delight and more.
- Don’t miss popular Turkish coffee and tea served in an authentic setting
- Let your kids enjoy all sorts of activities: face painting, games, cotton candy, the inflatable village and more!
- Browse the different vendors and booths for books, souvenirs, fine arts and crafts.
- Visit our employment corner to discuss career opportunities with the Canadian Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ottawa Police.
- Support charitable organizations like Northern Lights Educational Services (NLES) providing top quality Child Care services and the Canadian Institute of Intercultural Dialogue (CIID) hosting monthly Interfaith Dialogue Talk Series (IDTS).
- Plan your trip to Turkey, to the land of ancient civilizations! Pickup a copy of touristic brochures available at our information booth.
This year the Festival promises to be even better with International performers and increased programming! It will take place on Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24 at Confederation Park in Ottawa. For the complete week-long Festival Events Schedule please visit www.ottawaturkishfestival.com.
Turkish Festival a culinary and spiritual exploration
By James Rubec, Ottawa East EMC
Hasan Yilmaz and Huyla Akgunlu pose with their children Akin eren Yilmaz, and Semih Erdem Yilmax at the third annual Turkish Festival.
The shroud that the Whirling Dervishes wear is similar to one that would be worn at by Muslims at burial.
EMC Events – Confederation Park was transformed into Little Istanbul during Ottawa’s Turkish Festival July 23-25. The event, now in its third year, welcomed 25,000 people to the free, three-day event with performers, artists, retailers and cooks representing Turkey’s cultural heritage.
“In 1923, the modern Turkish republic was formed after 700 years as the Ottoman Empire. Our culture is incredibly diverse, so many civilizations having come and gone. Turkey is where East meets West,” said Dr. Yavus Zebek, chair of the Canadian Institute of Intercultural Dialogue and one of the festivals organizers.
One of the booths on the festival grounds was decorated as a sultan’s palace, with ornate rugs and couches under a tent with tables for people to sit at while enjoying a Turkish coffee. The tent was staffed by a man wearing a sultan’s costume, who was well versed in Turkish history and advised first-time Turkish coffee drinkers to remember to not drink the grinds at the bottom of the cup. The coffee, which is thick and served in small cups, is somewhat similar to espresso.
Read more: Turkish Festival a culinary and spiritual exploration
Ottawa delights at Turkish Festival
Tracey Tong, Metro Ottawa
Dancers perform the Whirling Dervish, which marked its 800th anniversary three years ago.
Ottawa’s Turkish-Canadian population might be small, but that didn’t stop tens of thousands of people from attending the fourth annual Ottawa Turkish Festival over the weekend — and festival volunteer Selim Asmer has a pretty good idea why.
“Turkey has a very rich history,” said Asmer. “It’s the only country in the world located on two continents — Europe and Asia.” And it combines the best of both, he said.
The festival, said organizer Ahmet Sanli, “allows us to share our culture. Here, they can discover the wonders of Turkish culture.”
Read more: Ottawa delights at Turkish Festival
Turkish festival hosts thousands of Canadians, Turks
Mehmet Demirci, Today’s Zaman
The Ottawa Turkish Festival saw record-breaking participation.
The Canadian Turkish Heritage Foundation saw record-breaking participation at its fourth Ottawa Turkish Festival, which 25,000 people attended this year.
When the Ottawa Turkish Festival was opened on Monday, a giant 12-meter Turkish flag was erected in front of the Ottawa Police Department. At the reception at the Ottawa municipal building, Canadian Transportation Minister John Baird said Turks contribute much to Canadian culture and he pointed out that his assistant is of Turkish origin.
Even the 2,500 Turks living in the region were surprised by the record levels of participation this year. Ottawa Mayor Larry O’Brien, who wore a Turkish caftan, was also present at the festival at Confederation Park. He indicated that he loves Turkish coffee, which is “stronger than Starbucks.”
Read more: Turkish festival hosts thousands of Canadians, Turks
It’s time to get your Turkey on!
by Apartment613
Photo courtesy Britt Novakowski.
by Britt Novakowski, Turkish expert extraordinaire
Ottawa’s annual celebration of the many wonders of Turkey takes place this weekend – and no, it has nothing to do with the bird. Rather, the Ottawa Turkish Festival will turn Confederation Park into a Grand Bazaar of Turkish culture, complete with traditional music, dance and food. Mmmm, baklava.
But don’t stop there! Baklava is just the beginning. Swap your morning Starbucks for a strongly brewed, tooth-rottingly sweet Turkish coffee and you’ll be buzzing for the rest of the day. Make sure to round off breakfast by grabbing a few simit – large bagely-type-things the size of your face, covered in sesame seeds and guaranteed to kill a low-carb diet in a single bite – and then go dance it off!
Read more: It’s time to get your Turkey on!
Getting into the swing of all things Turkish
Tracey Tong, Metro Ottawa
A dancer performs at last year’s Ottawa Turkish Festival.
The Ottawa Turkish Festival gets into full swing next weekend, but people can whet their appetites for all things Turkish starting this weekend.
Documentary screenings at the Ottawa Public Library, cuisine demonstrations, a flag raising ceremony and various language classes at the Turkish Cultural Centre start as soon as this Saturday as part of the Ottawa Turkish Festival, which puts on its main event next weekend, July 24 and 25.
Read more: Getting into the swing of all things Turkish
Weekend Roundup: Events and things to do in Ottawa!
Apartment 613, Written by Katie
Photo courtesy of Mike.Geiger.ca on flickr
Why travel when the world comes to Ottawa? The city’s almost endless series of summer international festivals kicks off this week with South Asia. While the main festivities of the Turkish Festival don’t start until next weekend, you can get a sneak peak with some films and a cooking demonstration on Friday and Saturday. Stay tuned for Lebanon and Africa later this month.
Read more: Weekend Roundup: Events and things to do in Ottawa!
Turkish Festival Events (July 17-25)
The Festival grounds will open at Confederation Park from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25. Featuring all of the following:
The Youth Folk Dance and Music Ensemble of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism from the Republic of Turkey will be joining us for spectacular demonstrations of Turkish Folklore and the Whirling Dervishes. They will feature dances from the Thrace, Marmara, Black Sea, Aegean, Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, and South Eastern Anatolia regions.
Toronto rapper-songwriter Evren Ozdemir will also be taking stage. Evren penned the lyrics to “We Could Be The Same” for Istanbul rap-rock band maNga, which came in second at the splashy 55th Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway on 29 May 2010.
The Festival classic, Toronto Turkish singer Murat Toy will be joining with traditional Turkish pop, folk and arabesque songs. Murat has published three albums to date and is a popular invitee to all celebratory events.
Polish and Romanian dance groups will be taking stage not to mention local, young, up and coming talent like Ayda Khan. She was featured on oprah.com for “Oprah’s Search for the World’s Most Talented Kids”, recently she performed at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. In 2008, she took 1st place for her singing talent in the Junior Category at the Stars on the Rise Contest which took place during the Central Canada Exhibition’s Ottawa SuperEx.
A Traditional Karagöz & Hacivat Puppeteer, a Turkish Ceramic Çini Artist, as well as a Water Marbling (Ebru) and Calligraphy Artists are all coming from Turkey. A local Henna Artist will also be present. Descriptions of the art forms are as follows.
Karagöz and Hacivat
Karagöz (meaning blackeye in Turkish) and Hacivat (also written Hacivad) are the lead characters of the traditional Turkish shadow play, popularized during the Ottoman period. The central theme of the plays are the contrasting interaction between the two main characters: Karagöz represents the illiterate but straightforward public, whereas Hacivat belongs to the educated class, speaking Ottoman Turkish and using a poetical and literary language. Karagöz’s native wit always gets the better of Hacivat’s learning (but his money-making ventures always fail). Artist: Mr. Suat Veral
Water Marbling (Ebru)
Paper marbling is a method of aqueous surface design, which can produce patterns similar to marble or other stone, hence the name. The patterns are the result of color floated on either plain water or a viscous solution known as size, and then carefully transferred to a sheet of paper (or other surfaces such as fabric). This decorative material has been used to cover a variety of surfaces for several centuries. It is often employed as a writing surface for calligraphy, and especially book covers and endpapers in bookbinding and stationery. Part of its appeal is that each print is a unique monotype. Artist: Ms. Seydanur Celebi
Turkish Calligraphy
Turkish Calligraphy, basically, is the writing of Latin letters applied within the esthetics of Calligraphy, which has received interest to a certain degree in the last 30 years. The scribes usually display their skills at fairs and exhibitions as they produce works of Calligraphy in a few seconds without any template, in the presence of visitors with customized on-demand applications. The Admirers of this art ask the scribe to write a person’s name, the name of a company, or beautiful saying on cards, key rings, plates and tablets to use as ornaments of gifts. Artist: Mr. Murat Cabuk
Turkish Ceramic (Çini)
Turkish tiles have a very long history, going as far back as the 8th century A.D., “Çini ” which has an important place in traditional Turkish art, derives from middle Asia which came with the Seljuk’s to Anatolia. Çini became a very important part of architecture for both Anatolian Seljuk’s and the Ottoman Empire. Its products show the beauty of the lifestyle of Palaces to mansions, from fountains to caravansaries. Artist: Mr. Abdullah Ercan Ozer
Henna
Henna or Hina (Lawsonia inermis) is a flowering plant used since antiquity to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather and wool. The name is also used for dye preparations derived from the plant, and for the art of temporary tattooing based on those dyes. Additionally, the name is misused for other skin and hair dyes, such as black henna or neutral henna, which do not derive from the plant. Artist: Ms. Shameena Begum
Whirling Dervishes of Rumi
They perform their praise of God in the form of a “dance” and music ceremony called the Sema, which involves the whirling from which the order acquired its nickname. The Sema represents a mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love to “Perfect”. Turning towards the truth, the follower grows through love, deserts his ego, finds the truth and arrives at the “Perfect”. He then returns from this spiritual journey as a man who has reached maturity and a greater perfection, so as to love and to be of service to the whole of creation. The Sema was practised in the semahane (ritual hall) according to a precisely prescribed symbolic ritual with the dervishes whirling in a circle around their sheikh, who is the only one circling around his axis. The Sema is performed by spinning on the right foot. The dervishes wear a white gown (symbol of death), a wide black cloak (symbol of the grave) and a high brown cap (symbol of the tombstone). Performers: Youth Folk Dance and Music Ensemble
Ottawa Turkish Festival Events Schedule
What to expect on Festival Grounds?
• Performances of Turkish Folk Dances, Whirling Dervish of Rumi and Live Turkish Music by the Youth Folk Dance and Music Ensemble of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism from the Republic of Turkey.
• Watch an Ebru (Water Marbling) painting demonstration on paper and Classical Calligraphy Drawing.
• Relax at the Turkish Oriental Corner, decorated with pillows, rugs, arts, handicrafts, traditional jewelry and more.
• Enjoy Turkish cuisine, sample gourmet foods including kababs, donair vegetarian & olive oil dishes, Gözleme (Turkish Pancake), Börek (Turkish Flaky Pastry), Mantı (Turkish Ravioli), as well as drinks like Ayran (Turkish Buttermilk). A meal would not be complete without desert! Taste Baklava, Turkish delight and more.
• Don’t miss popular Turkish coffee and tea served in an authentic setting
• Let your kids enjoy all sorts of activities: face painting, games, cotton candy, the inflatable village and more!
• Browse the different vendors and booths for books, souvenirs, fine arts and crafts.
• Visit our employment corner to discuss career opportunities with Law Enforcement Agencies.
• Support charitable organizations like Northern Lights Educational Services (NLES) providing top quality Child Care services and the Canadian Institute of Intercultural Dialogue (CIID) hosting monthly Interfaith Dialogue Talk Series (IDTS).
• Plan your trip to Turkey, to the land of ancient civilizations! Pickup a copy of touristic brochures available at our information booth.
The festival website is: www.ottawaturkishfestival.com
