The World's oldest Military Band, Mehteran
Probably most New Yorkers are getting tired of national parades on Madison or Fifth Avenue. Closed streets, blocked pedestrian walkways might make some of them angry. Every other weekend some ethnic communities march on the streets of Gotham City and only a few them get attention from national press, such as the Irish, Israeli, or Puerto Rican Parades. To get more attention from the national press and public for the Turkish Parade, Turks have made some new attractions for this year.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Turkish-American Culture and Civilization Center in Maryland. Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Erdogan said that the multi-functional monument would be the honor of the (Turkish) nation. Erdogan thanked everyone who started the project for the center and those who purchased the land and developed the project. "I believe that this center would be a place visited by not only those who have come from Turkey but also friends living in the United States," Erdogan stressed.
Istanbul 2020 is helping bring the Grand Bazaar of Turkey – including its hospitality and cuisine – to New York’s Grand Central Station for the 32nd New York Turkish Day. The Federation of Turkish American Associations decked the Grand Central Terminal with Turkish decorations and Istanbul 2020 branding, with Turkish food and souvenirs offered to visitors. One of the world’s largest covered markets – taking up more than 60 covered streets with 3,000 shops – Turkey’s Grand Bazaar dates back to the 15th century.
Can’t get enough Turkish Food? For the first time ever, Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA) is launching the “Turkish Restaurant Week”. Some of your favorite restaurants in the Tri-State area will be offering a 15% discount between May 13th and May 20th. You can see the list of restaurants and print out the discount coupon at www.ftaa.org. 
