Sezen Aksu vocals
Metropole Orkest
Arjan Tien conductor

The diva of Turkish pop music, Sezen Aksu, has countless compositions to her name and sold millions of albums. On this night she will perform with the Metropole Orkest, conducted by Arjan Tien. This is your chance to experience Aksu in an orchestral context!

February

Wednesday 7 February 20:30 Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ (Amsterdam)

“Tango Della Primavery” by Ankara National Opera and Ballet

A surprising dance performance in three parts: ‘Kazimir's Colors’, ‘Concerto’ and ‘Entre Dos Aguas’. The music of Shostakovich, Bach and Paco de Lucia takes the audience on an enchanting journey of passion and imagination.

Saturday 10 February 20:15 De Doelen (Rotterdam), Jurriaanse Zaal
Sunday 11 February 15:00 Tropentheater (Amsterdam), Grote Zaal

Hüsnu Senlendirici Ensemble

A performance by the now world-famous clarinet player Hüsnü Senlendirici is a guarantee for a lively night. His ensemble uses traditional melodies, adding contemporary elements, such as jazz, funk and Orientalisms.

Friday 16 February 21:00 Bimhuis (Amsterdam)

Istanbul Vibes: Ayse Tütüncü Trio

Jazz pianist Ayse Tütüncü has made her mark at various large jazz festivals, including ’North Sea Jazz’. Tütüncü likes to maintain a delicate balance between written and improvised music.

Wednesday 21 February 21:00 Melkweg (Amsterdam)

Istanbul By Night: Athena

Athena, founded by the brothers Gökhan and Hakan Özoguz, is one of the most innovative pop bands of Turkey. Athena took fourth place at the 2004 Song Festival and their ska music will provide one of the most exciting concerts of “Turkey Now“.

Friday 23 February 20:15 De Doelen (Rotterdam), Willem Burger Zaal
Saturday 24 February 20:30 Tropentheater (Amsterdam), Grote Zaal

Kardes Türküler

Kardes Türküler means ‘songs of brotherhood’. This ensemble of twelve musicians presents songs from the melting-pot of the various cultures of Turkey, in the original languages: including Turkish, Kurdish, Georgian, Laz, Greek, Roma and Azerbaijani. Karde?¸ Türküler combines enthousiasm and idealism with catchy songs and socially aware lyrics.

March

Friday 2 March 20:30 De Balie (Amsterdam), Grote Zaal

“Solum” Taldans Company

The well-known Turkish dancers and choreographers Mustafa Kaplan and Filiz Sɱzanlɱ in this piece ask themselves questions about the autonomy of the human body. A very surprising and fascinating dance with solo pieces by these two excellent dancers.

Saturday 3 March and Sunday 4 March 20:30 De Balie (Amsterdam), Grote Zaal

“Endgame” Dostlar Company

Turkish-French co-production

The theatre play "Endgame", written by Beckett, is performed by famous Turkish actors, including Genco Erkal, well-loved both in Turkey and abroad. It is directed by Pierre Chabert. The piece is a co-production by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, Dostlar Company and the International Paris-Beckett Festival and was staged in 2006 at the 15th Istanbul International Theatre Festival.

Friday 9 March 21:00 Bimhuis (Amsterdam)

Istanbul Vibes: Marcan Dede “Breath” Feat. Ceza

With his unique fusion of electronic music and Turkish traditional music, the Turkish nay and bandir player, DJ and producer Mercan Dede is one of the leading world music artists. He was nominated several times for the BBC 3 Awards and his album ‘Su’ occupied the first place of the European World Music Charts for two months.

Saturday 10 March 21:00 Bimhuis (Amsterdam)

Istanbul Vibes: Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions

The Swedish-Turkish jazz saxophone player Ilhan Ersahin has performed with greats such as Eddie Henderson, Wallace Roney, George Cables and Ben Allison. The Middle Eastern culture had a great impact on his music and the influence of Turkish music can be heard on his CDs and in his live performances.

Thursday 15 March 20:15 Zuiderpershuis (Antwerp)
Friday 16 March 20:30 Tropentheater (Amsterdam), Grote Zaal
Saturday 17 March 20:15 De Doelen (Rotterdam), Jurriaanse Zaal
Sunday 18 March 15:00 Korzo Theater (The Hague)

Ugur Isik Ensemble

Ugur Isik cello
Fahrettin Yarkin percussion
Ferruh Yarkin percussion, kanun
Erik van der Westen double bass

Ugur Isik moves effortlessly between different musical worlds. In his performances he crosses the many folk music traditions of Turkey on his Western classical cello. He is accompanied by the Dutch bass player Eric van der Westen as a special guest. An innovative cello and bass player looking for beauty and honesty in music.


Friday 23 March 21:00 Melkweg (Amsterdam)

Istanbul By Night: Portecho / Hayko Cepkin / DJ Style-Ist

The night starts with the electro-akoustics of Portecho and continues with the music of the new star on the Turkish alternative music scene, Hayko Cepkin. Then the sounds of DJ Style-ist give the night another twist.


Friday 23 March 20:15 De Doelen (Rotterdam), Jurriaanse Zaal
Saturday 24 March 20:30 Tropentheater (Amsterdam), Grote Zaal

Ethnorythmix

under the direction of
Fahrettin Yarkin

Percussionists from four different countries and musical cultures have been united in Ethnorhythmix. They mix old rhythms from the traditional music of India, Iran, Spain and Turkey to create a unique spectacle. They also accompany master players of unique instruments from these cultures.


Monday 26, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 March 20:30 De Balie (Amsterdam)

“Een spel voor twee” Dot Theatre

The story of a man and a woman who are unable to become one. Connected, but not united, they wander through a labyrinth within a square space. Sitting on revolving chairs which are fixed to the floor, the audience can follow the movements of the actors throughout the space.


Saturday 31 March 21:00 Bimhuis (Amsterdam)

Istanbul Vibes: Onumr Ataman Ensemble

Featruring Eric Vloeimans
Sibel Köse, Michiel Borstlap Trio

The first set of this double bill is presented by the world-famous Dutch jazz trumpet player Eric Vloeimans and the guitar player Onur Ataman and his ensemble. The second set is another fascinating Turkish-Dutch encounter in jazz between the Turkish vocalist Sibel Köse and the well-known Michiel Borstlap Trio.

April

Friday 20 April and Saturday 21 April 20:15 De Doelen (Rotterdam), Grote Zaal

Fazıl Say and Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra - Hans Leenders conductor

The world-famous Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say disposes of a fascinating repertoire from the West and the East, from Turkish folk and classical music to Bartók, Stravinsky and Gershwin. This night he plays the solo part with the equally renowned Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Hans Leenders.

Film

Journey to the Sun (Günese Yolculuk) by Yesim Ustaoglu

Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 February 20:30 Tropentheater (Amsterdam), Kleine Zaal

Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul (Istanbul Hatırası: Köprüyü Geçmek) Fatih Akın

Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 March 20:30 Tropentheater (Amsterdam), Kleine Zaal

Secret Women's World (Harem Suare) by Ferzan Özpetek

Music and filme in the Nieuwe Kerk

Music

at the opening of the exhibition Istanbul: The City and the Sultan

Thursday 14 December 2006 20:00 Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam)
Friday 15 December 2006 20:00 Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam)

Europeen Music from the Imperial Ottoman Court By Amsterdam Sinfonietta

Conductor (and composer/arranger) EMRE ARACI

Thursday 11 January 20:00 Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam)

Istanbul & Music by Amsterdam Turkish Music Choir

Thursday 22 February 20:00 Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam)

Istanbul & Turkish Lute by Yurdal Tokcan, udM

Thursday 22 March 20:00 Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam)

Istanbul & Jazz by the Istanbul Connection

Film

Thursday 1 February 20:00 Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam)

The Tulip (Låle)

Documentary film, Culture Department of the City of Istanbul

Thursday 8 March 20:00 Nieuwe Kerk (Amsterdam)

Whose is this song? (Üsküdar'a giderken...) by Adela PeevaEducational and Fringe Events

Workshops, Masterclasses, School Concerts

Saturday 24 February, Aslan Muziek Centrum, Amsterdam

Kardes Türküle

Various workshops and masterclasses

Thursday 22 February, Aslan Muziek Centrum, Amsterdam

Ethnorithmix

Various workshops and masterclasses

Monday 19 March and Tuesday 20 March, in collaboration with Tropentheater and SKVA, at 3 elementary schools in Amsterdam

Ethnorhitmix

School concerts and workshops

Expositions

Friday 16 February to Thursday 1 March, Atrium of the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Amsterdam

Peace between Cultures

exhibition from Turkey of posters by young people regarding
Turkey and the European Union
Organiser: Ayla Selçuk

Thursday 22 February to Tuesday 24 March, Atrium of the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Amsterdam
The sea of Marmara @ Het IJ
Photographer: Leo Divendal