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A Major Event to Celebrate: The Quincentennial Foundation

The Quincentennial Foundation
1992 marked the five hundredth anniversary of this most gracious welcome of Sephardim to Turkish lands. Turkish Jews felt it was both fitting and proper to launch an extensive celebration in Turkey, in the United States and in Europe.

Jewish history is full of sad events which are marked by commemorations and memorial services. But now there was a major event to celebrate, both the 500th anniversary of the welcoming of the Sephardic Jews to the Ottoman Empire and the five centuries of continuous and peaceful life in Turkey.

The Quincentennial Foundation was established in 1989 by a group of 113 Turkish citizens, Jews and Muslims alike. Founded and headquartered in Istanbul, the Quincentennial Foundation planned a three-year (1990 - 1992) cultural and academic program both within Turkey and abroad - mainly in the U.S, Canada and Mexico on the American continent; France, the United Kingdom and different countries in Europe.

The Foundation embarked on a very ambitious program as befit the greatness of the occasion. What Turkish Jews lack in numbers they make up in enthusiasm and commitment and they forwarded their vision with great excitement.

That program had been designed to bring the diverse and rich legacy of Turkish Jewry to a greater audience.

October 6, 2009
Published in Associations

The Biggest Contributor to Turkish American Business Relations

Mehmet Buyukeksi, President of Turkish Exporters' Association.

The Turkish Exporters Assembly is the umbrella organization of 45,000 Turkish exporters. The Assembly represents 59 regional and sectoral exporter associations, 23 sectors, and 13 Secretariat Offices serving exporters and exporter associations in local and international arenas.

June 26, 2009
Published in Associations

"The Biggest Obstacle in Front of Even Closer Relations is the Lack of Information"

Murat Yalcintas.

The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, with its 127-year history and its consequent experience, is the oldest and biggest non-governmental organization in Turkey. It is also one of the most outstanding chambers of commerce in the world. Murat Yalçıntaş (along with his team) has been re-elected president of the İstanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO), having received 133 out of 243 votes in an election held last February.

June 26, 2009
Published in Associations

Organization of Ethnic Enterprises

Dortmund, Germany - Dortmund, located in the North Rhine-Westphalia district of Germany, has a population of 587,800 and is the seventh largest city in the country. It ranks 34th among the large cities of Europe and according to the 2005 census residents include 134,000 (22.9%) immigrants.There are approximately 27,000 Turkish people living in Dortmund.