Turkish film wins award at Sundance

Turkish director Rasit Celikezer has been presented with the special jury award at the 12th Sundance Film Festival for his film “Can”. The film was selected as the Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Prize for Artistic Vision. The Sundance Film Festival is the premier showcase for independent films held each January in Park City, Utah - USA. The film previously won the Behlül Dal Jury Special Prize at the Golden Orange Film Festival organized in Antalya.

Latest population of Turkey

According to the Turkish Statistical Institude, as of 31 December 2011, Turkey's official population reached 74.724.269, marking an increase of 1.001.281 persons compared to the previous year.

The proportion of population living in Istanbul is 18,2% (13.624.240 persons). This province is followed by Ankara with 6,6% (4.890.893 persons), Izmir with 5,3% (3.965.232 persons), Bursa with 3,6% (2.652.126 persons) and Adana with 2,8% (2.108.805 persons), respectively. Population size of Bayburt as the least populated province in Turkey is 76.724.

Wi-Fi internet on Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines starts Wi-Fi internet access onboard on their Trans-Atlantic flights. Passengers are now able to access high-speed, unlimited Internet with laptops, tablets, smartphones or any other device that is WLAN-enabled. The internet service will initially be provided free of charge as an introductory offer, and then at the end of this period passengers will be able to buy the service with their credit card onboard.

Hatay is becoming a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy

The Mediterranean province of Hatay is now preparing to become a “World City of Gastronomy.” Hatay’s application to become a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy via its cuisine that includes 600 different dishes has been approved. A committee will come to the province in the coming days to complete formalities prior to the official designation.

There are also many sights in Turkey that are in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Selcuk Camel Wrestling matches

30th edition of Selcuk Camel Wrestling matches were held near Ephesus last weekend. Some 17-18 thousand spectators attended this year's show to see the matches between 116 bull camels. The winner of the Selcuk Camel Wrestling in 2012 is Çilgin Ozer (Crazy Ozer), which was the winner of the last 5 years.

As usual, this wrestling matches are pure fun with no harm to the camels.

China Culture Year in Turkey

2012 will be celebrated as "China Culture Year" in Turkey. During the culture year, various radio and cinema shows, educational events, acrobatic displays and puppet shows will showcase China's literature, art and cultural heritage in the Turkish cities of Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, Mersin and Trabzon.

Hundreds of ancient Chinese artifacts will be displayed in Turkey, while Chinese orchestras will give concerts. A Chinese film week is also slated during the culture year.

In China, 2013 will be celebrated as “Turkey Culture Year.”

15 Destinations on the rise - Fethiye is #5

Trip Advisor has mentioned the 15 destinations around the world which are on the rise as tourist destinations and becoming very popular. One of them, at number 5, is Fethiye. You can read the full article at the original link.

Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival

19th edition of Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival will be held between 14 June - 15 September 2012. The location for the festival will be the ancient Roman theater in Aspendos, near Antalya. 2012 festival schedule will be as below:

June 14th: TURANDOT by Izmir State Opera and Ballet

June 20th RIGOLETTO by Estonian National Opera

June 25th PRINCE IGOR by Ekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theater

June 30th LA TRAVIATA by South Korea Daegu Opera and Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra and Chorus

July 4th ZORBA by Mersin - Samsun State Opera and Ballet

September 3rd MADAMA BUTTERFLY by China - Beijing Opera

September 6th LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR by Antalya State Opera and Ballet

September 10th SWAN LAKE by Directorate of State Opera and Ballet

September 15th TANNHAUSER by Ankara State Opera and Ballet

Performances will start at 21:00 in June and at 20:30 in September. Directorate General of the State Opera and Ballet can make modifications and changes in the programs without any prior notice.

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International Antalya Jazz Festival

The International Antalya Jazz Festival will be held between 20-24 July 2011 in Aspendos anfitheater near Antalya for the first time this year. Many jazz artists will attend the festival; Monica Molina, Lisa Ekdahl, Cesaria Evora, Macy Gray, Al di Meola World Sinfonia, Nino Katamadze, and Fahir Atakoglu.

The festival program is like this:

20 July: Mehmet ikiz trio featuring China Moses and Monica Molina
21 July: Nino Katamadze & Insight and Lisa Ekhdal
22 July: L’Orchestre de Contrebasses and Cesaria Evora
23 July: NY Gypsy All Stars and Macy Gray
24 July: Fahir Atakoğlu Trio and Al di Meola World Sinfonia

Selimiye Mosque in Edirne is in the World Heritage List

The Selimiye Mosque Complex in Edirne is one of the best examples of famous architect Sinan who built it in the 16th century by the wish of Ottoman sultan Selim. In 27th of June 2011 the Mosque is acknowledged at the UNESCO's World Heritage List. With this new entry Turkey has 10 heritage sites in the List, out of 936 properties (as of June 2011). Here they are:

- Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (acknowledged in 1985)
- Great (Ulu) Mosque and Hospital (Darüssifa) of Divrigi in Sivas (in 1985)
- Historic Areas of Istanbul (in 1985)
- Hattusha (Bogazkoy) - Hittite Capital (in 1986)
- Nemrut Mountain in Adiyaman (in 1987)
- Hierapolis - Pamukkale (in 1988)
- Xanthos - Letoon near Antalya (in 1988)
- City of Safranbolu (in 1994)
- Archaeological Site of Troy (in 1998)
- Selimiye Mosque Complex in Edirne (27 June 2011)

To see all heritage sites in Turkey on a map please click here.

To see the complete list of UNESCO please click here.