US University to inaugurate 'Year of Turkey' on Oct 8

This year's tribute to Turkey, a historically rich and diverse land at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East, includes a series of lectures‚ cultural events and business forums planned.

World Bulletin / News Desk

Kennesaw State University has launched the "Year of Turkey" as the latest in its series of annual celebrations of a particular country or area of the world. The opening ceremony will be held Oct. 8 at KSU.

Turkish State Minister Tuzmen will later attend the opening of the "Turkish Year" at the Kennesaw State University where the 2008-2009 academic year has been declared as the "Turkish Year".

This year's tribute to Turkey — a historically rich and diverse land at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East — includes a series of lectures‚ cultural events and business forums planned in conjunction with the Atlanta−based Istanbul Center and several local and Turkish partners.

On Tuesday, October 7, Tuzmen will attend ceremonies to inaugurate the Southeast America Turkish-American Chamber of Commerce (TACC Southeast) and Istanbul Center.

On Wednesday, October 8, Tuzmen will deliver a speech at a meeting of the Southern Center for International Studies.

"Kennesaw State is looking forward to joining with our community partners to celebrate the 'Year of Turkey' and our rich relations with this important country‚" said KSU President Daniel S. Papp. "Throughout the academic year‚ we hope the informative and entertaining programs we will host in honor of Turkey will draw many friends to KSU."

According to Year of Turkey homepage of the university's website, straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey occupies a unique location between East and West and its cultures represent a unique blend of Eastern and Western civilizations. Historically, the region comprising modern Turkey has overseen the birth of major civilizations such as the Hittite, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Today, Turkey is a democratic, secular, constitutional republic with a Muslim majority population. The complexity of the relationship between Islam and democracy, between East and West, in the world today, makes Turkey an especially important place.

Co-sponsors of the event are Istanbul Center and United Nations Alliance of Civilizations beside Kennesaw State University.

Other partners in the university's "Year of Turkey" activities include the United Nations' Alliance of Civilizations; the Confederation of Business & Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON); the Honorary Consulate General of Turkey in Atlanta; Georgia State University's Middle East Institute; the Institute of Turkish Studies; and the Turkish American Chamber of Commerce (TACC) of the Southeast U.S.

KSU launched its "Year of" program in 1985. It is designed to expose KSU students‚ faculty‚ staff and the community to a country's or geographical area's history and culture to break down stereotypes and connect across cultures. Previous country studies have included "Year of Kenya‚" "Year of China‚" "Year of France‚" "Year of Spain" and "Year of the Atlantic World." Next year‚ KSU will celebrate the "Year of Korea."

"What makes this year unique are the strong alliances we have built with community partners — here and in Turkey — especially the Istanbul Center‚" Adebayo said. "Those relationships have made the cultural performances‚ forums‚ exhibits and films we're offering richer and of a higher quality."

A major component of this year's program is the business and economic development forums that will bring Turkish business and governmental leaders together with local leaders.

http://www.worldbulletin.net/ , printed on 03.10.2008.