1st International Yesilcam Film Fest

27 May 2012

Goethe Institut
812 7th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001
www.goethe.de/washington

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kelsey King
kelsey@KarabakhFoundation.org
202-457-1450

Washington, D.C. May 1, 2012—On Wednesday, April 25, a powerful partnership of the TURKSOY Symphony Orchestra and the U.S.-based Jonathan Griffith Singers brought to life Ahmed Adnan Saygun’s magnum opus “Yunus Emre Oratorio” at the Music Center at Strathmore in Rockville, Maryland. More than 600 attendees experienced the oratorio’s message of divine love and human destiny. Audience members from all parts of the Turkic world demonstrated both the breadth of the Turkic experience and the shared connection among Turkic peoples.

One Azerbaijani audience member confessed that the concert moved her to tears, and several American concertgoers thanked organizers for this dramatic and engaging introduction to Turkic culture.

As the performance came to an end, Executive Director Diana Cohen Altman expressed the following:

“The Karabakh Foundation is proud to play a leading role for the second year in presenting a TURKSOY performance to Washington, D.C.-area audiences. Audiences clearly appreciated the way the spirituality of the 13th-century Turkish poet Yunus Emre and the Turkish modes and folk melodies used by composer Ahmed Adnun Saygun came together. A sense of Turkic pride was very much in the air at the Music Center at Strathmore, where just a glance yielded glimpses of Turkic peoples from many parts of the East. I myself had had little exposure to Yunus Emre or to Saygun’s music, but I’m struck by what a wonderful portal it is into experiencing Turkic culture. Bravo to TURKSOY and to the Jonathan Griffith Singers–a wonderful example of the United States and a Turkic group uniting in cultural diplomacy!”

In honor of the “Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands” concert, District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray and County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland, Isiah Leggett issued the Karabakh Foundation and TURKSOY certificates of appreciation. Mayor Gray and County Executive Leggett commended both organizations for their collaboration, which represents a partnership between the Turkic and American peoples, and noted that for two consecutive years, the Karabakh Foundation and TURKSOY concert programs have spread Turkic heritage and engaged Turkic and other communities across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

About the Karabakh Foundation

The Karabakh Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) cultural charity foundation based in Washington, D.C., that seeks to increase awareness and understanding in the United States of the cultural heritage and traditions of the country of Azerbaijan, the Caucasus area, and the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. While coalescing significant artistic and scholarly talent, the Foundation is

nurturing a new generation of artists and scholars toward important accomplishments. The Foundation serves as a dynamic facilitator and clearinghouse raising the public profile of Azerbaijan, its Karabakh region, and the Caucasus region in general. Main activities include preserving and disseminating cultural content via archival collecting, public programs, publications, exhibitions, speaking forums, international collaborations, scholarly exchange, artistic sponsorship, and related venues. Foundation support comes primarily from Khazar University, the first private university in Azerbaijan and one of the country’s leading institutions of higher learning. Support also comes from the U.S.-based Allaverdy Foundation. Additional information about the Karabakh Foundation may be found at www.KarabakhFoundation.org.

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Turkish American TV is the proud Karabakh Foundation media sponsor of TURKSOY Presents: Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands.

We are proud to announce that the Turkish American Television received ”Excellence in Media” award at the 32. Annual National Turkish American Convention, organized by The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) , The Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA) and Turkish American Cultural Centers (TACC) on Saturday, April 14, 2012, in Washington, DC.

The 32. Annual National Turkish American Convention Awards Ceremony

On his speech at the Awards Ceremony, TATV producer Hurriyet Aydin Ok said “I am honored and moved by this award. TATV received several awards from our community during the past 7 years. But this award is particularly  important to us because this is the first time we are recognized nation wide. I would like to acknowledge TATV production team of volunteers. Without their dedication and enthusiasm, Turkish American Television would not thrive this far. I would like to share this award with all of them, our sponsors, and the Turkish American community at large.” Thank you ATAA, FTAA, and TACC, for honoring TATV with “Excellence in Media” Award!

Please visit TATV Flickr and Facebook photo albums to see pictures from the 32. Annual Turkish American Convention Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner.

The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA)  is a fast-growing umbrella organization of Turkish American associations throughout the United States, Canada and Turkey, dedicated to pursuing the interests of Turkish Americans and friends of Turkey in Washington and beyond.

The Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA) is a non-profit organization which was established in 1956 for the purpose of uniting and supporting the Turkish community within the United States.

Turkish American Cultural Center (TACC), a non-profit organization, was founded in 2003 with the mission to unite the Turkish-American community within the Washington DC Metropolitan area, strengthen relations with the surrounding population, and provide a cultural home for the Turkish people.

We are proud to announce that the Turkish American Television received ”Excellence in Media” award at the 32. Annual National Turkish American Convention, organized by ATAA, FTAA, and TACC, on Saturday, April 14, 2012. On his speech at the Awards Ceremony, TATV producer Hurriyet Aydin Ok said “I am honored and moved by this award. TATV received several awards from our community during the past 7 years. But this award is particularly  important to us because this is the first time we are recognized nation wide. I would like to acknowledge TATV production team of volunteers. Without their dedication and enthusiasm, Turkish American Television would not thrive this far. I would like to share this award with all of them, our sponsors, and the Turkish American community at large.” Thank you ATAA, FTAA, and TACC, for honoring TATV with “Excellence in Media” Award!

The 32. Annual National Turkish American Convention Awards Ceremony

Please visit TATV Flickr and Facebook photo albums to see pictures from the 32. Annual Turkish American Convention Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner.

Upcoming Community and Cultural Events:

Children’s Day Celebration at the Turkish Embassy in Washinton, D.C., on Sunday, April 22, 2012, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Please RSVP by April 19, 2012 via email contact@turkishembassy.org

“TURKSOY Presents: Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands,” at the Music Center at Strathmore on April 25, 20122 at 8 PM. An epic evening of Turkic music showcasing the TURKSOY symphony orchestra, composed of musicians from several Turkic nations, and a choral performance of Ahmed Adnan Saygun’s ”Yunus Emre Oratorio,” with the New York-based Jonathan Griffith Singers. The event will delight both the connoisseur and the whole family. Tickets are on sale, so celebrate your Turkic pride and buy yours before they are gone!

In collaboration with Turkayfe.org, American Turkish Association of Washington DC (ATA-DC) will be organizing ‘Turkish Coffee Culture Series 2012’ which will start April 27-28, 2012  in Washington, DC. The ‘Mobile Turkish Coffee House’ will be travelling to six major cities to share free Turkish coffee with people. By introducing this cultural series, ATA-DC aims to increase awareness of the ‘Turkish coffee culture’ while bringing two societies that love coffee closer together.

ATA-DC “23 Nisan” International Children’s Day Celebration, on Saturday, April 29, 2012, 11:00 am -3:00 pm at McLean High School, McLean, VA. FREE ADMISSION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY! For questions please email school@atadc.org. Look forward to seeing you all at the celebration!

Turkish American TV is the proud Karabakh Foundation media sponsor of TURKSOY Presents: Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands.

Turkish American TV is the proud Karabakh Foundation media sponsor of TURKSOY Presents: Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands.

Turkish American TV is the proud Karabakh Foundation media sponsor of TURKSOY Presents: Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kelsey King
kelsey@KarabakhFoundation.org
202-457-1450

Washington, D.C. March 9, 2012—In April 2012, the metropolitan community of Washington, D.C. will celebrate Turkic music and culture through a symphony orchestra and choral performance entitled “TURKSOY Presents: Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands. “

Conducted by Professor Rengim Gökmen, “Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands” will bring the sounds Ahmed Adnan Saygun’s masterful “Yunus Emre Oratorio” to life on the impressive stage of the Strathmore Music Center on Wednesday, April 25 at 8:00 pm.  The concert will feature the TURKSOY Symphony Orchestra, which is composed of 80 distinguished performers from several Turkic nations, and the New-York based Jonathan Griffith Singers. The hour-long performance affords audience members a rare opportunity to view multinational musicians on stage together.

To purchase tickets for the performance visit http://www.strathmore.org/eventstickets/calendar/
view.asp?id=8239.

Masterpiece of Turkish Culture: The “Yunus Emre Oratorio” of Ahmed Adnan Saygun

One of the most important representatives of early Turkish mysticism, 13^thcentury poet Yunus Emre devoted himself to the themes of divine love and human destiny. 20^thcentury musician Ahmed Adnan Saygun’s interpretation of Emre’s work incorporates Turkish modes and folk melodies into a post-romantic-style oratorio.

One of the most famous Turkish musicians, Ahmed Adnan Saygun’s international acclaim flourished from the “Yunus Emre Oratorio.” Composed in 1946, the oratorio has been translated into five languages and performed worldwide, including an English-language performance at the United Nations in 1958.

TURKSOY Presents: Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands is a response to popular demand. In March 2011, TURKSOY presented performances of Turkic songs and dances to more than 1,300 theater-goers at Washington, D.C.’s historic Lincoln Theatre. The Washington Post Going Out Guide designated the 2011 TURKSOY concert as an Editor’s Pick.

Concert Credits

TURKSOY Presents: Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands is sponsored by the Promotion Fund of the Prime Ministry of Turkey and co-produced by the Karabakh Foundation. Co-sponsors include the U.S. Azeris Network, the U.S. Turkic Network, the Governorship of Eskisehir, the Greater Municipality of Eskisehir, and the embassies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. TURKSOY is an International organization of Turkic culture.

TURKSOY International Organization was established in 1993 by Turkish -speaking countries with the intention of promoting cooperation in the fields of art and culture and strengthening the already existing common cultural presence among the Turkic nations. Member countries of TURKSOY include Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Gagauzia (Moldova), Crimea (Ukraine), Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and also the Altai, Bashkortostan, Khakassia, Tatarstan, Tyva, Yakutia regions (Russia).

About Strathmore

Strathmore is an established arts presenter and cultural destination that nurtures art, artists and community through creative and diverse programming of the highest quality, and is home to the Music Center at Strathmore, a 1,976-seat concert hall and education complex. The Music Center at Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda, MD, one half-mile north of the Capital Beltway and immediately adjacent to the Grosvenor-Strathmore station on Metro’s Red Line. For those attending a ticketed performance at the Music Center at Strathmore, parking in the Metro garage is complimentary with your ticket.

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Turkish American TV is the proud Karabakh Foundation media sponsor of TURKSOY Presents: Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands.

Prime Time Toastmasters - Part 2 of 2

Click here to view the embedded video.

Are you afraid to get up and speak before a group? Do you need to fine tune your speaking skills? If you answered yes to either question Toastmasters may be just the solution to your problem.

In this second part of the special program, Prime Time Toastmasters Club who holds meetings at Fairfax Public Acess (FPA) twice a month is sharing an example of a toastmasters session with you.

Watch this two part series, Episodes 80 and 81, to learn how Toastmasters helps achieve public speaking goals..from prepared speeches, to impromptu speaking and constructive feedback. Find out how a supportive environment can take away those fears.

For broadcasting schedule, please check http://turkishamericantv.org/program

To watch this show on Internet, please visit http://turkishamericantv.org/episode-81

Turkish Coffee is world-renowned and this spring it is coming to your backyard with the Mobile Turkish Coffee House!

In collaboration with Turkayfe.org, American Turkish Association of Washington DC (ATA-DC) will be organizing ‘Turkish Coffee Culture Series 2012’ which will start this April. The ‘Mobile Turkish Coffee House’ will be travelling to six major cities to share free Turkish coffee with people. By introducing this cultural series, ATA-DC aims to increase awareness of the ‘Turkish coffee culture’ while bringing two societies that love coffee closer together.

Please find the coffee tour schedule below.

1. Music Center, Strathmore Hall, MD – April 25, 2012 (The truck will be introduced for the first time before the ‘Symphony of Voices from Turkic Lands’ concert featuring the TURKSOY Symphony Orchestra)
2. Washington, DC – April 27-28, 2012  
3. Baltimore, MD – May 1, 2012
4. New York City, NY – May 4-6, 2012
5. New Haven – May 8-9, 2012
6. Boston – May 11-14, 2012

You can get the latest updates and the full schedule at:
www.turkayfe.org
www.facebook.com/mobileturkishcoffeehouse
www.twitter.com/TRcoffeetruck

For your questions, please e-mail turkishcoffeeculture@gmail.com

Turkish American TV is a proud media sponsor of the Mobile Turkish Coffee House.