NEWSLETTER OF ASSOCIATION SUISSE TURQUIE

No 29

 

Our lives have been deeply troubled in so many ways with the Covid pandemic. These past months have not been easy either for the old or for the young. Recently, however, we’ve had more reason to be hopeful. A new vaccine by Biontech in Germany that was in development since the beginning of the pandemic was found to have 95% efficiency.  

 

The story of the founders of Biontech is an inspiring one, a story which has made the headlines in all the major newspapers around the world.  It is the story of a Turkish couple named Prof. Uğur Şahin and his wife Özlem Türeci who both grew up in Germany and together co-founded Biontech in 2008 initially to develop cancer treatments based on new mRNA therapeutic technologies.

But Prof. Şahin’s illustrious future was by no means guaranteed.

Uğur Şahin was born in Iskenderun. When he was only three years old (a year after the photo on the right was taken), he went to Germany with his working-class family. His family didn’t speak German well, so he had a hard time in primary school. The German school system is hard, nearly merciless. As he wasn’t doing well, his teachers wanted to send him to the Hauptschule, where children with relatively low academic aspirations study. These were the first years of labour migration. As parents didn’t master the language, tens of thousands of Turkish children’s academic lives were wasted with this type of orientation. 

 

But Uğur Şahin was lucky…

 

Şahin’s neighbour was his fairy godmother. She took him in hand, and most importantly, she represented him and his parents at school meetings.  She insisted that the school could not make a life decision for a child who couldn’t speak the language, solely on the basis of grades. She asked the school for another chance and more time for solid preparation. 

 

Şahin re-sat the exams and passed, thereby allowing him to enter the Gymnasiumroute. He studied medicine at the Cologne University and eventually became a professor. 

 

Biontech, the company he co-founded with his wife is now worth $31bn.  But more importantly, Biontech and the COVID-19 vaccine that they developed is now the hope for billions of people around the world.  Thanks to them, we are all more optimistic about 2021, and can finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

 

We look forward to getting together again, so let us all raise a glass to them, to us, and to the world.

 

We wish you all very happy holidays and a wonderful 2021!

 

Editors

 

Please keep us posted on events and news that you would like to share at

editorsassosuisseturquie@gmail.com

 

———————————————————————————————————————-

DECEMBER AND JANUARY EVENTS

 

Future Association Events

 

Traditional fondue night – February 2021

Details will follow!

 

Conference of Metin Arditi for his new book ‘Rachel et les siens’ – 2021

Details will follow!

 

Annual Republic Day Ball – October30, 2021

We are holding the date as we hope the situation to improve by then

 

For future Association events : https://assochtr.ch 

———————————————————————————————————————-

 

The 1st Online Edinburgh Byzantine Book Festival

Call for papers: December 13, 2020

https://www.cornucopia.net/events/1st-online-edinburgh-byzantine-book-festival/

 

Philip Mansel:The Lily and the Crescent: Louis XIV and the Ottomans, Culture, Commerce andCrusades– an online lecture

December 15, 2020 18:00–20:00 (GMT)

https://www.cornucopia.net/events/the-lily-and-the-crescent-louis-xiv-and-the-ottomans/

 

———————————————————————————————————————-

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

This year all the revenues generated from the sale of “Lausanne Bizim Lozan” will go to support the students who are financially struggling because of the Covid-19’s economic impact. A sub-committee has been created within the Association for this purpose.

The much-praised book “Lausanne Bizim Lozan”published by our Association is available for purchase at:

Bookstore Letu in Geneva

Online on our website https://assochtr.ch

And also onhttps://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=22298731039&searchurl=sortby%3D0%26vci%3D601833

We believe it will be a much-appreciated gift by your friends and family! 

 

NEWS OF OUR MEMBERS

 

Adler Joailliers by our member Franklin Adler

Discover the latest collection of our member Franklin Adler« Twirly», jewelry pieces with their rotating trail at Adler boutiques in Geneva and in Gstaad  www.adler.ch

 

Swiss Fine Jewellery Craftsmanship by our member Eric Delarue

For the festive holiday season, our member Eric Delarue is unveiling his latest jewellery creations, designed with diamonds and precious stones.

delarue.info@icloud.com– Instagram: @ed_finejewels

 

Gonca Leu Interiors

Our former committee member Gonca Leu has established her own interior design studio, Gonca Leu Interiors. She is offering a highly personalized and friendly service to create bespoke interiors, which captures clients’ needs and dreams.

gonca@goncaleuinteriors.com

 

Nest Gallery, home interior shop by our member Patricia Delarue

Patricia Delarue is very happy to welcome you in her new store in Crans-Montana. Located on 33 Rue du Prado, Nest Gallery offers a unique selection of ethnic, vintage, mountain chic furniture, and home accessories.

 

Nayla Jewelry by Ebru Kornes

Our member Ebru Kornes has launched her new fine jewelry line, Nayla Jewelry, gold and diamond pieces with a unique twist. The collection emphasizes the harmony of modern and dainty designs with cultural tones and colors.

www.etsy.com/shop/NaylaJewelry

Cornucopia Magazine

Our annual sponsor and the source of many events that take place in Turkey and around the world, would much appreciate your support

Subscribe to Cornucopia Magazine in time for the next issue
http://www.cornucopia.net/store/subscriptions/

 

———————————————————————————————————————-

 

NEW BOOKS

 

THE LAND OF THE ANKA BIRD – A Journey through the Turkic Heartlands

Photographs by Ergun Çağatay, introduced by Caroline Eden

In the 1990s, as the Cold War thawed, the veteran Turkish photographer Ergun Çağatay set out on a 100,000-mile journey to capture the drama and immensity of the Turkic-speaking world, the spirit of its peoples and their colourful lives and beliefs. In thiscaptivating book of photographs from Central Asia and beyond, his images transport us from the oasis cities of Bukhara and Samarkand to the vast frozen wastes of Siberia. Fearless horsemen jostle with eagle hunters, ice-fishermen and reindeer herders, as gorgeously dressed women throng desert bazaars, sing to the heavens and speak to the spirit world. The award-winning author Caroline Eden’s evocative text opens a window on this unreported world. https://www.cornucopia.net/store/books/the-land-of-the-anka-bird/

Nalan Miri Sözer’s book “Life Begins at 40” is published

Journalist and communication consultant Nalan Miri Sözer, our member, will be meeting her readers all over the world.

https://www.turkkitap.de/life_begins_at_40/id/21/38382

 

“Cesur Kızlara Yol Arkadaşları” by our member Aslı Aysev in Turkish, her book can be purchased at www.istanbulkitapcisi.com

 

“Rachel et les siens” by Metin Arditi In French, his book can be purchased at

www.payot.ch

 

 

—————————————————————————————————————-

 

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

 

OTHER EVENTS

 

The new Presidential Symphony Orchestra complex has opened with a grand gala On December 3rd 2020

Directed by Cemi’i Can Deliorman and featured world-renowned soprano Angela Gheorghiu, one of the world’s most successful piano duos Güher and Süher Pekinel, and lastly, the world-renowned piano virtuoso İdil Biret.

One of the world’s longest established orchestras, founded in 1826, with a history spanning nearly two centuries, the Turkish Presidential Orchestra (CSO) inaugurated its new building with spectacular gala concerts held on December 3-4-5.

Designed by architects Semra and Özcan Uygur, the new building houses a 2023-seat grand concert hall, a 500-seat small concert hall, a 10.000 capacity open-air concert area and the CSO Museum.

 

 

ARTS UPDATE sponsored by Cornucopia Magazine

 

TURKEY

Istanbul museums and institutions

 

Motif: From the Sadberk Hanım Museum

Sadberk Hanım Museum, Sarıyer, Istanbul

November 9, 2020 – October 31, 2021

https://www.cornucopia.net/events/motif/

Between Empires, Beyond Borders:
The War and Armistice Years through the Eyes of the Köpe Family

SALT Beyoğlu

Until December 27

https://www.cornucopia.net/events/between-empires-beyond-borders

Miniature 2.0: Miniature in Contemporary Art

The Pera Museum

Until January 17, 2021

https://www.cornucopia.net/events/miniature-20-miniature-in-contemporary-art/

Alev Ebüzziya Siesbye: Repetition
Arter, Dolapdere
Until January 24, 2021
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/alev-ebuezziya-siesbye-repetition/

 

KP Brehmer: The Big Picture
Arter, Dolapdere
Until January 24, 2021
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/kp-brehmer-the-big-picture/

On Celestial Bodies
Arter, Dolapdere
Until March 7, 2021
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/on-celestial-bodies/

For Eyes that Listen
Arter, Dolapdere
Until March 31, 2021
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/for-eyes-that-listen/

Şakir Eczacıbaşı: Selected Moments
Istanbul Modern, Beyoğlu
Until March 31, 2021
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/akir-eczacba-selected-moments/

Ara Güler and Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar
Ara Güler Museum, Bomonti, Şişli
Until February 28, 2021
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/ara-guler-and-ahmet-hamdi-tanpinar/

Istanbul galleries

 

Selma Gürbüz: This Place We Call World
Istanbul Modern Temporary Space, Beyoğlu
November 5, 2020 – March 31, 2021
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/selma-gurbuz-this-place-we-call-world/

Printed ’20


Mixer, Karaköy, Istanbul

November 7 – December 12

https://www.cornucopia.net/events/mixer-printed20/

 

Selma Parlour

Pi Artworks Istanbul, Karaköy, Istanbul

November 13  – December 31

https://www.cornucopia.net/events/selma-parlour/

Haymatlos
Dirimart Dolapdere, Istanbul
November 13, 2020 – January 17, 2021
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/haymatlos/

 

Ankara and Izmir

 

Devrim Erbil: New Pictures – New Touches

Çukurambar Art Gallery,

https://www.cornucopia.net/events/devrim-erbil-new-pictures-new-touches/

 

Ara Güler: Merhaba Izmir

Arkas Art Centre, Izmir

https://www.cornucopia.net/events/ara-guler-merhaba-izmir/

 

Exhibitions around the world

 

Houston

Arts of Islamic Lands
Selections from The al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), North America
Until December 27
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/arts-of-islamic-lands/

 

Toronto
Acts of Erasure

MOCA Toronto, Canada
Until January 3, 2021
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/acts-of-erasure/

London

Cairo Streets
Coming face to face with everyday life in 19th-century Cairo
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Until January 31, 2021
https://www.cornucopia.net/events/cairo-streets/