Jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant performs
at the Turkish Embassy Residence

The Ertegun Jazz Series held in December 2012 at the Turkish Ambassador’s residence had heads’ nodding and feet tapping as Cecile McLorin Salvant filled the room with her unique sound and style. This winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, the most prestigious jazz award, is only 23 years old, yet despite her youth has garnered the praise of several noted critics. Critic Ben Ratliff remarked in The New York Times, “If anyone can extend the lineage of the Big Three—Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald—it is this 23-year-old virtuoso.”

Cécile McLorin Salvant performs at the Turkish Embassy Residence

McLorin Salvant’s soulful singing is a mix of both the classic and modern. Furthermore, every word she sings reflects brilliantly through her facial expressions, capturing the true essence of jazz. TATV caught McLorin Salvant in action and includes her intimate views on singing, jazz, music in general and the Ertegun jazz series in this video.

In the second part of the program, TATV host Goksin Carey interviewed Mark Meirowitz about his trips to Turkey and to the Turkish Republic of Northn Cyprus (TRNC), his Turkish students at SUNY Maritime, his professor “students” at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and his love for Turkey and all matters Turkish!

Mark Meirowitz (on the right) with President of TRNC Derviş Eroğlu

Mark is Assistant Professor at SUNY Maritime College in Bronx, New York, where he teaches American History, Constitutional Law and American Foreign Policy; he also teaches English to SUNY Maritime’s Turkish students. Mark also is a business lawyer, having been in practice for over 30 years. He was awarded a fellowship in July 2011 and taught English Conversation to 25 Turkish professors at Istanbul Technical University (ITU).  In July, 2012, he went to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) where he had the privilege of meeting with TRNC President Dervis Eroglu and other TRNC leaders. Mark is very active in a number of Turkish American organizations and is writing a book on Turkish foreign policy.

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

To watch this show on the Internet, please visit http://turkishamericantv.org/episode-91

(29 Minutes)

French-American jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant performs at the Turkish Embassy Residence, as part of Ertegun Jazz Series, in December 2012. Ambassador Namık Tan launched the Ertegün Jazz Series three years ago in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Opening remarks by world renowned jazz legend and music icon Herbie Hancock and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

Mark Meirowitz talks about his trip to Northern Cyprus in Summer of 2012. Mark is an attorney who holds a doctorate in politics and teaches politics, history, and English at a number of colleges in New York.

Turkish coffee, as you may know, remains an ancient tradition, even in our busy, technological world—one in which each cup is individually prepared by hand to the particular taste of the consumer. The brew is served to the guest in a delicate demitasse container with saucer. The cup itself is often nested in a silver or copper holder, or it may be laced with painted artistic designs—all for the purpose of highlighting the special occasion of this important pause, a respite where people are able to take hearty sips in a ritual of friendship, communication, ideas, and sharing.

Even the dregs left in the cup after the beverage is consumed have value in this Turkish tradition. The cup with the coffee dregs is turned over onto the saucer to cool, while conversation continues. The reader of the cup will eventually foretell the guest’s fortune by analyzing the signs, letters or numbers, and images formed in the cup and on the saucer. Does one believe in the stories left by what has been taken in from one’s cup? Results of the sharing is up to the guests.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The “Turkish Coffee Time” show is also based on this ancient and universal ritual of sharing—not only coffee, but of the sharing of our uniquely designed cups found in our lives. Technologically, we can reach out across the mountains and bridges of our various environments and situations. The cultural exchange within this particular televised show is a good opportunity to become inspired and enlightened while being graciously hosted by the delightful Özge Övün who is ably assisted in the coffee ritual by Özül Adıcan. Of course, the production is artistically prepared by TATV. Continue to partake, won’t you?

Judy Light Ayyıldız, educator/author of ten books, including the historical novel, Forty Thorns and its Turkish translation, Kırk Diken.

FAIRFAX, Virginia
May 6, 2013

The 33rd Annual Turkish American National Convention was held on April 25-27, 2013 at the office of Turkish Coalition of America and Washington Plaza Hotel, in Washington, D.C.

The three day conference featured diverse panels on various topics related to public advocacy, science, commerce, technology, stories of the Peace Corps, the plight of Turkic peoples, literature, and youth leadership.  Equally striking were the presence of  high-ranking figures and talks given by Egeman Bagis, Turkey’s Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, Muhtar Kent , Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola, Kemal Dervis ,Vice President of Brookings Institute, Virginia Foxx , US Congresswoman, Matthew Langie, Vice President of Strategic Marketing of Adobe Systems, and several others.

Muhtar Kent,Chairman of the Board and CEO of Coca-Cola, at Turkish American National Leadership Conference

Egemen Bagis, Kemal Dervis, and Muhtar Kent were the keynote speakers.  Each speaker took a different approach in his presentation: During Friday luncheon, Egemen Bagis spoke of his days of spearheading Turkish-American organizations here in the US and encouraged Turkish-Americans to take a greater role in their communities. On Saturday morning, Kemal Dervis took center stage at breakfast, with his presentation titled “The Rising Turkish Economy in the 21st Century.” He made a political analysis of Turkey and its role in today’s world. During Saturday luncheon, Muhtar Kent gave a seminar-like presentation on what he deemed to be the key points to success.

Though Abdullah Gul, President of the Republic of Turkey, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister, were unable to attend, they and a series of other officials from both the US and Turkey extended their best wishes for the event and commended the participating organizations and attendees for their activism in the Turkish-American community. The messages of encouragement were read by a group of young Turkish-American student leaders at the Washington Plaza Hotel, during the opening of the second-half of the conference.

Furthermore, Turkey’s Ambassador to the US, H.E. Namik Tan, shared a panel on US-Turkish relations with the US Ambassador to Turkey, Francis J. Ricciardone. Ambassadors from several other countries and territories provided their insights to the audience on a panel moderated by Suat  Kiniklioglu, a Former Member of Turkish Parliament. The list of honorable panelists included HE Gilbert Galanxhi, Ambassador of Albania, HE Jadranka Negodic,  Ambassador for Bosnia Herzegovina, HE Akan Ismaili,  Ambassador of  Kosovoa, HE Oliver Krliu, Deputy Chief of Mission of  Macedonia, HE Dr. Elmi Ahmed Duale, UN Ambassador of Somalia, and HE Ahmet Erdengiz, DC Representative for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

ATAA Awards Presented to Turkish-American Community Leaders

In addition to its numerous and intensive panels, the conference included a reception at the Turkish Embassy and Gala during which several awards were presented to Turkish-American leaders, concluding the event with both heart-felt laughter and tears. The convention also welcomed the arrival of ATAA’s new president-elect, Mehmet Celebi, and Mehmet Toy, bidding an adieu wrapped in well-wishes to former presidents Gunay Evinch and Ergun Kirlikovali.

The “First Turkish/Turkic American Davos” had something to offer for everyone and its content reflected the diversity of its numerous sponsors. Following are statements made by young Turkish-American leaders regarding their impressions of the conference:

“The most important part of the conference was that Turkish-American leaders from academia, business, and government not only came together to discuss ideas and share their experiences, but also actively reached out to the next generation of “Young Turks.” Ufuk Kahya, Policy Advisor, U.S. House of Representatives

“ATAA’s 33rd conference was very inspiring from so many points. I got a chance to meet so many amazing people from all over the USA. I will be here next year too!” Bertan Kilkis, Student at VCU

“The most important aspect of this conference was communication. It was the perfect opportunity for Turkic-Americans from several generations to come together, preserve culture, share ideas, and advance education. I had a lot of fun seeing old friends and making new ones. I can’t wait until next year!” Erin Kaya, Lewis and Clark HS, Spokane, WA

“It is my first year in this convention , and I am glad ATAA gave me the opportunity to participate. I made really good connections and networks and also learned a lot from the experts during the sessions. I would like to participate in the following conventions and contribute more by being a volunteer.” Seza Zerman, Graduate Student, Rochester Institute of Technology

The 33rd Annual Turkish American National Convention was made possible by the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations (ATAA), the Azerbaijani American Council (AAC), American Friends of Turkey (AFOT), Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA), Ahiska Turkish Community Center of Dayton  (ATACC), American Turkish Council (ATC), Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA), Turkish American Business Association,  American Chamber of Commerce in Turkey (TABA-AMCHAM), Turkish American Community Center (TACC), Turkish American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TACCI), Turkish American Scientists and Scholars Association (TASSA), and the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA).

Turkish American Television is a proud media sponsor of 2013 Turkish American National Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.

Turkish American Television Satff Writer Ozgul Andican contributed to this report

Copyright 2013 The Turkish American Television. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Speakers:
H.E. Sharon A. Wiener
Acting Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s Issues
&
Fred Turner
Chief of Staff, Helsinki Commission

Turkish Coalition of America
1510 H St. NW Suite 900  Washington, DC 20005

PROGRAM | ONLINE REGISTRATION | SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISEMENT

ATAA 33rd Annual Convention & 2013 Turkish American National Leadership Conference Awards Gala, April 27, 2013, DC

PROGRAM | ONLINE REGISTRATION | SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISEMENT

Keynote Speakers: Kemal Dervis, Vice President and Director, Brookings Institution & Muhtar Kent, Coca Cola CEO,

The 33rd Annual Convention
&
2013 Turkish American National Leadership Conference
April 25-27, 2013
Washington, DC

 CONFERENCE CO-ORGANIZERS
(in Alphabetical Order)

AAC, (Azerbaijani-American Council) General Director Dr. Javid Huseynov
AFOT, (American Friends of Turkey) General Director Elizabeth W. Shelton
ASA, (Azerbaijan Society of America) President Tomris Azeri
ATAA, (Assembly of Turkish American Associations) President Ergun Kirlikovali
ATACC, (Ahiska Turkish American Community Center) President Islom Shakhbandarov
ATC, (American Turkish Council) President James H. Holmes
FTAA, (Federation of Turkish American Associations) President Ali Cinar
TABA/AmCham, (Turkish American Business Association) President Ekim Alptekin
TACC, (Turkish American Community Center) General Secretary Adem Buyukacar
TACCI, (Turkish American Chamber of Commerce & Industry) President Dr. Celal Secilmis
TASSA, (Turkish American Scientists & Scholars Association) President Prof. Dr. Haluk Unal
TCA, Washington DC, (Turkish Coalition of America) President Lincoln McCurdy

For more information, please visit ataa.org

Turkish American Television is a proud media sponsor for the ATAA 33rd Annual Convention and 2013 Turkish American National Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.

“Celebrate the common heritage of Turkish and Turkic Americans!”

The Assembly of Turkish American Associations’ 33rd Annual Convention & 2013
Turkish American National Leadership Conference aims to be the “Premier
Platform of Turkish/Turkic Thought and Expression.”

This platform is jointly organized by America’s diverse Turkish American membership
organizations and will include a broad community base to discuss challenges and
celebrate our cultural heritage.

The conference will be held in Washington DC from April 25th through 27th and will
include the broadest representation of Turkish and Turkic Americans ever in Turkish
American history.

Don’t miss this historic opportunity!

The ATAA 33rd Annual Convention and 2013 Turkish American National Leadership Conference

For more information, please visit ataa.org

Turkish American Television is a proud media sponsor for the ATAA 33rd Annual Convention and 2013 Turkish American National Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.

Participating Turkish American membership organizations

Turkish American Television is a proud media sponsor for the ATAA 33rd Annual Convention and 2013 Turkish American National Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.