Turkey season in France attracts huge crowds

As part of Turkey Season in France, which officially started last week, almost 10,000 spectators gathered at Place du Trocadoro in Paris over the weekend to watch a concert by Mercan Dede with whirling dervishes and a dance show by dance troupe Fire of Anatolia. Highlights of the nine-month season include an exhibit on Ottoman Caftans at the Louvre. President Abdullah Gul and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy are also expected to inaugurate an exhibit on Istanbul at the Grand Palais. Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe will present the key to the city to Nobel laureate novelist rhan Pamuk, director Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and photographer Ara Guler.