The Turkish Cultural Foundation (TCF) hosted a Maryland higher education delegation at the ARMAGGAN Bosporus Suites in Istanbul, Turkey. The Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC), co-chaired by Attorney Gunay Evinch and the Maryland-Kocaeli Sister State Committee, lead by Dr. Ahmet Aydilek, co-hosted the visit that included meetings with the Boards of Directors of Bosphorus University, Bahçeşehir University, Gebze Technical University, Istanbul Aydın University and Kocaeli University.

The Maryland delegation included Anwer Hasan, Chairman of the Maryland State Higher Education Committee and Dr. Roomina Hasan, Physician at the University of Maryland Medical System; Tina Bjarekull, President of the Maryland Independent College and University Association; Reverend Brian Linnane, President of Loyola University Maryland; Dr. Bradford Sims, President of Capitol Technology University; Philip Rous, Provost of the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus; and, Dr.Sabrina Fu, Professor at the University of Maryland University College.

An article by Prof.Recep Karadağ, Head of the Cultural Heritage Preservation and Natural Dyes Project,  on natural dyes and the history and dyeing of the Ankara Sof fabric was published by the Vehbi Koc Ankara Studies Research Center (Koç Üniversitesi Vehbi Koç Ankara Araştırmaları Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi-VEKAM). Published in Turkish and English, the book accompanies the exhibition organized by VEKAM titled “Weaving the History: Mystery of a City,” which was organized with support from the Turkish Cultural Foundation. TCF contributed to the exhibition through its know-how on natural dyes and the mohair dyeing process. The article can be read here.

Last month, oud virtuoso Mehmet Polat (TCF Cultural Exchange Fellow-2016) held four concerts with Alper Kekeç in Amsterdam, Vreeland and Leiden, The Netherlands.
Cellist, composer, improviser, and photographer Anıl Eraslan (TCF Cultural Exchange Fellow-2014) held two concerts in September in Paris and Saint-Claude, France. His concert series continued in Berlin, Germany and in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
James Thurman’s works (TCF Cultural Exchange Fellow-2014) were on display at “Contemporary Enamel,” an international exhibition held at College of Albermale in Collaboration with Pocosin Arts in Manteo, NC, USA.
Jazz musician Ferit Odman (TCF Cultural Exchange Fellows - 2012), performed at the Alanya Jazz Festival 2018 in Alanya, Turkey on September 29.