03 December 2007

New shopping malls

Istanbul has several ultra modern shopping malls that don't exist even in Europe. These are modern shopping centers containing many international and local brand names, movie theaters, food courts and other facilities.

Istinye Park shopping center was opened in September 2007 with around 300 shops. Another big mall, Capacity, is opened in December in Bakirkoy district. Another opening in December 2007 is The City's in Nisantasi neighborhood.

So, you can not only find history and culture in Istanbul, but lots of shopping opportunities as well.

Istanbul Boat Show

27th edition of International Istanbul Boat Show will be open between 8-16 December 2007 at Istanbul Fair Center in Yesilkoy district.

03 October 2007

New Cultural Center - Santralistanbul

Santralistanbul culture and art center
The Silahtaraga Power Plant was the first power station built in Istanbul during the late Ottoman period in 1911. Today, it has been renovated by Bilgi University and opened as a culture and arts center near the Golden Horn.

22 August 2007

International Istanbul Biennial, Sep 8 - Nov 4

The 10th International Istanbul Biennial, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSEV), will be open in the city from September 8th until November 4th, 2007. This years Biennial will be under the curatorship of Hou Hanru, currently Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs at San Francisco Art Institute.

The title of The 10th International Istanbul Biennial is “Not Only Possible, But Also Necessary - Optimism in the age of global war”. The venues of the Biennial will be Antrepo 3 in Karakoy, IMC (Istanbul Textile Traders' Market) in Unkapani near the Golden Horn, AKM (Ataturk Cultural Center) in Taksim Square, and Santralistanbul in Sutluce - Eyup.

Cow Parade in Istanbul until October 31st



190 cow sculptures, designed by artists under sponsorship of Turkish dairy company SUTAS, were introduced at the "CowParade Istanbul" festival, organized by Sisli Municipality.

Many Turkish celebrities have designed cow sculptures for the CowParade, the 55th of which will be held in Istanbul. Earlier the event took place in several cities including Paris, New York and Monaco. The sculptures will be on display at Ataturk Airport, and in several neighborhoods as Ortakoy, Bebek and Sultanahmet till October 31st, 2007.

After the exhibition is over, the cow sculptures will be auctioned and the income will be donated to Mother Child Education Foundation (ACEV), and Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats (TEMA).

Istanbul is Europe's 3rd best city

According to U.S. Travel & Leisure review, Istanbul is ranked the third best city of Europe. The review has carried out a survey in its last issue about the best cities and hotels in the world and Europe, and Florence was chosen as the best city of Europe, than Rome the second, and Istanbul the 3rd in the poll. Istanbul has also been chosen as the 8th among the best cities of the world, and it also obtained the most exotic city title among world's best 10 cities as well.

According to the same survey, Four Seasons Hotel at Istanbul's old Sultanahmet neighborhood was chosen as the best hotel in Europe. The hotel was converted from an old prison into a luxurious hotel right in the heart of the old city.

Candidate for 2010 World Indoor Athletics Championship

Istanbul becomes a candidae to host 2010 World Indoor Championships in Athletics. Another candidate is Qatar's capital Doha and both cities will make presentations in November 2007 in Monaco for the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations).

Sabiha Gokcen Airport privatised

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Istanbul's second international airport located on the Asian part of the city, is privatised. New buildings and annexxes are planned to be built to raise its passenger capacity.

Glass blowing courses, August 12 - 25

You can learn glass making in Istanbul. The two-week intensive courses between August 12-25 will be held at the Glass Furnace (Cam Ocagi in Turkish) for the glassblowing, beadmaking and fusing & kilncasting.

16 July 2007

Bosphorus swimming race on July 15th

International Bosphorus swimming and sailing race took place on July 15th for the 19th time this year. Over 400 swimmers from all ages raced from Asia to Europe. Berkay Polat, a 14 year old swimmer, became the first in the overall.

World Kiteboard Cup in Istanbul, July 23-29

One of the Kiteboard World Cup legs will be held in Istanbul between July 23rd - 29th. The races will be organized at the Burc beach in Kilyos on the Black Sea. There will be also a special race on the Bosphorus in front of Kurucesme Arena venue on July 26th, and another special race at Dragos in the Sea of Marmara on July 27th. Fourtyfour sportsmen will join the races which are organized by Jim Beam.

25 June 2007

Istanbul Jazz Festival, July 3-18

14th International Istanbul Jazz Festival will take place in this magical city between July 3-18, 2007. There will be about 40 concerts at various venues, such as Archaelogical Museum, Hagia Irene, Kemer Golf and Country Club, Sepetciler Kiosk, etc. This year the festival embraces both jazz and other styles like pop, classic & alternative rock, world music, Latin and more.

Some of the world famous artists participating in this Jazz Festival are: Norah Jones, Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, Michael Bolton, Bryan Ferry, and many others.

22 June 2007

International Istanbul Horse Show, July 5-8

International Istanbul Horse Show will attract thousands of equestrian enthusiasts to Kemer Golf & Country Club between July 5th-8th, 2007. This year, 60 riders from 12 different countries will perform their skills on the track, meanwhile spectators can also join several other on-site activities during the weekend.

08 June 2007

Gloria Gaynor on concert in Istanbul, June 30

Gloria Gaynor will be on stage for a concert at Istanbul Parkorman venue with her world-famous hit songs. The concert will be held on June 30th, 2007, and will be a great opportunity for her fans to see the singer live on stage.

Shakira live in Istanbul, July 9

World famous pop singer Shakira will give a concert in Istanbul on July 9th, besides of a couple of advertisement campains of some Turkish companies for a few days. She will be on stage at the Kurucesme Arena on the Bosphorus to sing from her latest release and her other popular songs.

Radar Live 2007 music festival, June 29

Radar Live Festival will be held between June 29th and July 2nd, 2007 in Kilyos Solar Beach, on the Black Sea coast of Istanbul. The campers will be able to watch nearly 100 performances in three different stages. The festival will be screened live from MTV Turkey.

Some of the important names to perform during the festival are; Marilyn Manson, James, The Rapture, Juliette and The Licks, Cocorosie, Beirut and Nouvelle Vague.

Combined ticket prices vary between 130-155 YTL.

07 May 2007

Redbull Air Race in Istanbul, June 2


The Red Bull Air Race will be taking place in Istanbul for the second time this year on June 2nd, 2007. This fantastic activity will be held over the Golden Horn next to the old city, between the two bridges of Eski Galata Koprusu and Ataturk Koprusu.

The Red Bull Air Race is a competition in which the world’s most talented pilots are up against each other in a race based on speed, precision and skill. Last year about 1 million spectators gathered in Istanbul to watch this exciting air race, this was a new record in the history of the race.

04 April 2007

Moto GP at Istanbul Park, Apr 20-22

The 3rd leg of this years Moto GP will run at Istanbul Park between April 20th-22nd. This will be also the third time that this race is organized in Turkey. Moto GP is one of the most popular motorsports in the world and the Istanbul Park racing track is one of the most impressive circuits in the world.

If you're a speed and bike fan, don't miss this spectacular event.

Tulip Festival in Istanbul, Apr 7-15

Tulips in Istanbul
The 2nd International Istanbul Tulip Festival will be held in Istanbul between April 7th-15th. Many parks of the city, especially Emirgan Park, will be home of this festivity. This year, the Metropolitan Municipality has planted over 8 million tulips all over the city and it will be a colorful festival both for the citizens and foreign visitors. Tulips will be enjoyed until mid-May.


Since many centuries, Tulip was produced in Turkey and it was introduced to Europe. Tulip motifs were always used in clothing and tiles and today it became the symbol of Turkey.

29 March 2007

Glass Courses in Istanbul, May 20

Glass making course
The Glass Furnace is helding a course on glassblowing in Istanbul between May 20th - June 2nd, focusing on the exploration of non-traditional glassblowing methods, a survey of techniques not usually included in most glassblowing classes, and concentrating on technical aspects such as "the perfect bubble".

Climate Change Congress, April 11-13

Turkey's first Climate Change Congress (TIKDEK 2007) will be held in Istanbul Technical University (ITU) between April 11th-13th, 2007. The congress is organized by the Water Foundation who is planning to bring together scholars and experts from various Turkish institutions to study climate change.

European Marine Congress, April 9-13

The 38th Convention of The Mediterranean Science Commission will be held in Istanbul between April 9th-13th. The congress will be officially opened by Prince Albert II of Monaco. Over a thosand scientists from 40 countries will participate in the congress, which will cover impact of global warming on the world seas. High rank EU executives are also expected to attend the congress.

09 March 2007

International Istanbul Film Festival, March 31

The 26th International Istanbul Film Festival will be held between March 31st and April 15th. The festival will open its gates with famous Turkish director Ferzan Ozpetek's latest movie "Saturno Contro". This year, 235 films will be shown and 15 films will run for the "Golden Tulip" award under the theme "Arts and Cinema". The famous director of such independent hits - Johnny Suede, Living in Oblivion and The Real Blonde - Tom DiCillo will compete for the "Golden Tulip" with his latest film "Delirious". Among the films competing for the "Golden Tulip" Award in 2007 are George Hickenlooper's "Factory Girl" starring Sienna Miller, Guy Pearce and Hayden Christensen and Joachim Trier's "Reprise".

Motoshow '07 in Istanbul, March 29

International Motorcycle Fair will be held between March 29th - April 1st, 2007, at Istanbul Fair Center in Yesilkoy - Istanbul. The Motoshow 2007 will be a meeting point of the speed addicts. The brand new models of motorcycles of all types from chopper to racing, from touring to enduro that have been produced by the leading brands of motorcycle sector will be exhibited in the fair.

Jazz Master Branford Marsalis Quartet, March 21

One of the most innovative and creative jazz musicians of the world, and three time Grammy winner, Branford Marsalis, will join "Masters of the Jazz" series at Is Sanat Cultural center in Istanbul on Wednesday March 21st. Marsalis is nominated for the 2007 Grammy Award in the "Best Solo Instrumental Jazz Album" Category as well.

Pink Martini band in Istanbul, March 17

Pink Martini will be on stage at Turker Inanoglu Maslak Show Center in Istanbul on March 17th. The group has a big number of fans in Turkey where they'll sing the new songs from their new album that is going to be released in May in Europe.

07 February 2007

Independent Film Festival, Feb 15-25th

Annual international independent film festival will be held in Istanbul between February 15th-25th, 2007. IF festival is organized by Yapi Kredi Bank and this year movies will be displayed in two separate theater halls: Beyoglu AFM and Caddebostan AFM-Budak theaters. Besides these independent films, several parties and events will be organized as well.

International Boat Show, Feb 17-25th

Sailing boat on the Bosphorus
26th Istanbul International Boat Show will open its gates between 17-25 February 2007 at Istanbul Expo Center, previously known as Istanbul World Trade Center, just accros Ataturk Airport. Hundreds of international top brands in motoryacht, sailing boats, speed and leisure boats and their selective accessories and equipments will get their place in this important fair.

Eurasia Boat Show, Feb 9-18th

Eurasia Boat Show will be held at CNR Expo halls in Istanbul between February 9-18th, 2007. Equipment and services ranging from water sports to surfing, water skiing, and diving technologies, to charters, motorboats, and luxurious yachts will be available for display in this fair. The CNR Expo center is just accros Ataturk Airport.

04 February 2007

EMITT Travel Fair, Feb 15-18

International EMITT Travel Fair will be held between February 15th-18th at Beylikduzu TUYAP Fair and Congress center in Istanbul. This year it will be the 11th EMITT, and Tourism Ministers from 15 different countries will honor the Fair. It's the most important travel fair in Turkey for both incoming and ingoing, as well as outgoing tours.