Turkey season in France features 'Cafe Turc'

Paris' Jardin des Tuileries was the venue Saturday for a traditional Turkish music concert as part of the cultural events for Turkey Season in France. Internationally acclaimed Turkish ney player Kutsi Erguner and his band Bohemes de Thrace performed at Le Cafe Turc, a Turkish coffeehouse. The cafe, designed by Turkish architect Han Tumertekin to resemble old Istanbul coffeehouses, will host Turkey season events through August 8. Besides concerts and exhibits, the cafe will offer marbling, calligraphy and illumination courses, shadow play puppet shows – particularly Karagoz and Hacivat – and conferences on Turkish cuisine. Percussionist Okay Temiz, traditional Turkish clarinet player Selim Sesler, traditional Turkish bagpipe player Birol Topaloglu, and jazz guitarist Onder Focan will also give concerts. Nesrin Topkapi will give belly dancing dance lessons. The Turkey Season activities began in France this month with performances by the Fire of Anatolia dance group and Mercan Dede. During the season, Turkey will be promoted by more than 400 artistic and cultural activities in more than 70 cities in France for nine months. Highlights include an Ottoman Caftan show at the Louvre and an Istanbul exhibit at the Grand Palais.