Benefits of film, tourism, media discussed in Turkey’s Cappadocia

Nevşehir University Tourism Faculty organized Thursday a panel discussion titled “Film Tourism and Media in Dream City Cappadocia,” during which the effects of media on tourism were discussed.

Nevşehir Journalists Association Chairman Muammer Başer said 50 television channels from 13 countries have made documentaries in the region over the last three years, complaining that the TV series featured the feudalism system even though there is no feudalism in the region.

Calling on TV producers, Başer said: “If a TV series is made here, the traditional dresses of the region should be highlighted and actors should speak with the region’s accent. In this way TV series could promote the culture of Nevşehir and Cappadocia.”

He said as the media of Nevşehir, they have made great contributions to the promotion of the region and have avoided damaging the region’s tourism. “We have organized media festivals in past years and hosted many journalists from all around the country in Nevşehir. When they return, they have promoted our region very well,” he said.

Cappadocia Tourist Entrepreneurs Association Chairman Ahmet Tok said films made in 1970s in the region had made contributions to the promotion of the region in the domestic market. “The number of documentaries, TV series and films also increase the number of local tourists visiting the region, which has a capacity of 20,000 beds. But this has been insufficient in recent years,” Tok said.

Cappadocia Cade Resort Boutique Hotel Operation Manager Perihan Çakır spoke about the effects of a TV series titled “Asmalı Konak” (Asmalı Mansion) in the region, adding that the positive effects of the series still continued. “More than 130 gift shops have been opened around the mansion and 300 buses of local tourists visited Nevşehir’s Ürgüp district in a day,” she said

ISTANBUL & HARP

“Istanbul and Harp” is a work-order and album recording project realized by the Art of Harp Association with the support of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

Six different Turkish composers from two different generations composed of works comprised of various combinations of solo harp / chengçwith harp/cheng plus flute, viola, fiddle, contrabass, lute and zither. Each work has been ordered to attribute to the memory of Istanbul in a way preferred by the composer. Composers produced works about symbols of Istanbul such as the doves, children, Basilica Cistern, Seven Hills.

The concert will be performed by Şirin Pancaroğlu and six more musicians: Yurdal Tokcan, Tahir Aydoğdu, Derya Türkan, Elif Yurdakul, Arda Agoşyan and Evrim Baştaş. The project’s premier will be held on December 19, 2010 at CRR Concert Hall which will be the promotion of the album as well.

FRIDA KAHLO AT PERA MUSEUM

Between 23 December 2010 and 20 March 2011, the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera from the Gelman Collection exhibition introduces to art lovers two of the most outstanding, globally renowned Mexican figures of 20th century art: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

Generating wide interest as much with their unique characters, life stories, and intriguing relationship, as with their oeuvre, the two artists are welcomed in Turkey for the very first time in an exhibition of more than forty of their works displayed at Pera Museum.

Collectors Jacques and Natasha Gelman spent a significant portion of their lives in Mexico; the works included in the couple’s extensive collection, which also encompasses 20th century Mexican art, include the most outstanding Frida Kahlo self-portraits, which reflect the profound traces of her artistic personality, as well as rare examples of Diego Rivera’s canvas paintings. This globally acclaimed collection was previously presented to audiences through a limited number of exhibitions outside of Mexico.

Apart from the most favored Kahlo works of the Frida Kahlo Retrospective organized in Berlin and Vienna in 2010, the exhibition at Pera Museum also includes Diego Rivera’s paintings. The works of Frida and Diego, who inspired the motion picture and literary worlds with their oeuvre and unconventional lives, can be visited at Pera Museum until 20 March 2011.

http://en.peramuzesi.org.tr/

SALON IKSV ON DECEMBER

Phonem by Miller: Owen Pallett (2 December)
Electronic music artist.

Raymond Weil Parsifal Nights: Tok Tok Tok (3 December)
Acoustic soul from Nijerian vocalist Tokunbo Akiro/Morten Klein from Denmark on saxophone.

Göksel Radio Days (5 December)
’70′s Turkish pop classics by Turkish singer Göksel.

These New Puritans (7 December)
Art-rock collective.

Music is Fun by Lenovo: Chromatics (9 December)
Nu-disco trio.

Garanti Caz Yeşili: The Magic Numbers (10 December)
Alternative rock group from England.

Melissa Auf Der Maur (17 December)
Ex Smashing Pumpkins/Hole bass guitarist’s solo project.

Phonem by Miller: Mystery Jets (18 December)
Indie-rock collective from England.

Nevcivan Special Project (24 December)
Traditional Turkish Music with a modern touch.

http://www.saloniksv.com/english/index.asp

TWO EXHIBITIONS AT PERA MUSEUM

Scenes from Tsarist Russia: 19th Century Russian Classics from the State Russian Museum Collection (4 November 2010-20 March 2011)

Csontvary “An Extraordinary Master of Hungarian Painting” (21 October-12 December 2010)

http://en.peramuzesi.org.tr/

HISTORICAL OTTOMAN ARMY BAND PERFORMANCE

Harbiye Military Museum, (Every day except Mondays/Tuesdays, 15.00-16.00)

Multi-vision show of Mehteran history. Live performance of the Army Band.

LIVING LEGEND MULATU ASTATKE AT BABYLON

Ethiophian composer and musician Mulatu Astatke performance at Babylon. (22-23 December)

Senor Coconut feat. Les Baxter, Louie Austen & guests (16 December)

Legendary dub producer Lee Scratch Perry (17 December)

http://www.babylon.com.tr/en/calendar/201011/