Organized in collaboration with the Amsterdam Museum and with the support of several other partners, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and Nationaal Archief in The Hague both in the Netherlands, the exhibition includes 81 works comprised of oil paintings, watercolors, engravings and books. Works by the well known master painter from the Tulip Era, Jean-Baptiste Vanmour are also included.

The exhibition Sultans, Merchants, Painters: The Early Years of Turkish-Dutch Relations organized by Pera Museum in collaboration with the Amsterdam Museum provides the visitors an exceptional opportunity, embarking upon a pleasurable journey through the older days of İstanbul and Amsterdam, the historical periods of the Ottomans and the Dutch and a revisit to the Tulip Era in particular.

The art works; paintings, engraving and objects included in the exhibition are being shown together for the first time since centuries. The fascinating paintings, the majority of which were executed by master artist Jean-Baptiste Vanmour and his school, will constitute a special point of interest for art lovers. The exhibition also includes works from the collection of the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation; selected works of Vanmour, who is renowned as an “eyewitness” of the Tulip Era.

Pera Museum’s exhibition Sultans, Merchants, Painters: The Early Years of Turkish-Dutch Relations will be open to visitors between the dates of 21 January – 1 April 2012; upon completing its İstanbul visit, the exhibition will be mounted in the Amsterdam Museum between the dates of 18 April – 26 August 2012.

No other Turkish series, which will be broadcast in 40 countries this month, is carried in so many areas around the world.

“Muhteşem Yüzyıl” was introduced to the world last year during the MIPTV Television Fair in Cannes. The series drew great interest from many international channels and will now be distributed in 40 countries, 22 out of which are in the Middle East.

The series was first broadcast overseas in Slovakia and Czech Republic and became very successful, reaching a 45 percent rating within a short time. Last week, the series began airing in Macedonia and was soon drawing 32 percent of viewers and bringing its carrier to the top of the country’s ratings competition. It has also gained a large number of viewers in the Middle East.

“Muhteşem Yüzyıl” is also opening up to the world in new regions as a significant brand;
the goal of the series is to reach 60 countries this year, according to officials.

The Taxi Design Contest, run by the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality which took the contest to a plebiscite, ended with Istanbul residents choosing the B model as their new taxi design.

The new vehicle resembles a futuristic minivan and promises comforts geared toward a more urban creature.

The vehicle will have a transparent glass roof, interior floor lighting, a deployable entry step, exterior lights that flash when the van’s doors open, and independent, passenger-controlled climate controls. Sliding doors. Charging stations for mobile devices. Reading lights. Even passenger LCD screens and internet connection.

The vote took place on June 15-29 over the Internet and 340,000 people participated in the voting. The B model taxi received 41.2 percent of the votes. İstanbul residents have also chosen the designs for buses, trams and ferries in recent years.

The İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Taxi Design Contest aimed to provide more comfortable services for the city’s residents. The new taxi design is geared towards including new technological developments and focuses on security and accident-prevention technologies as well accessibility features for the disabled. A municipal officer said the design will have characteristics specific to İstanbul.

Recently Turkish automaker Karsan designed a futuristic taxi cab and was among the three finalists in New York City’s search for a taxicab for the future. Nissan beated out the Karsan model after officials decided they could not risk awarding the contract to a company with little experience in the American market.

Comparing the two new Taxi designs, Istanbul’s New Futuristic Taxi Looks Way Better Than NYC’s Taxi of Tomorrow.

It is the most spoken and continues to be the most-watched television series on Turkish broadcast.

One out of every two Turkish families is watching this tv serie which tells the life of Suleiman, the Magnificent and his Harem.

Many famous world media like Reuters, Herald Tribune, Die Welt, BBC Arabic and The Wall Street Journal were all in line to have an interview with the screenwriter Meral Okay and the cast.

The soap is based on events that occurred during the reign of Süleyman I, also known as Suleyman the Magnificent. It has received great criticism for allegedly portraying the Ottoman dynasty as both “indecent” and “hedonistic.”

From now on Wednesday evenings are reserved for Marvelous Century, “Muhtesem Yuzyil“.

Turkish audience can’t get enough of watching all the intrigue in Harem and the victories of Suleiman, The Magnificent during Ottoman Empire.

Both stars will be acting in the new movie of Ferzan Ozpetek who became famous with his movie called “ Hamam (Steam),“ the story of 2 gay guy’s visit to a Hamam in Istanbul.

Ferzan was born in Istanbul and has lived in Italy for a long time. He prefers to make movies with both Turkish and Italian actors/actresses.

Monica Bellucci recently gave birth to her second daughter and is getting ready to act in Ozpetek’s new movie which will be called “ Sonra Aglayacagim “ .

Cem Yilmaz born 23 April 1973 in Istanbul is a Turkish stand-up comedian, actor and filmaker, best known for his films G.O.R.A. (2004), A.R.O.G (2008) and Yahşi Batı (2010).

The new movie will take place in Istanbul and in Mardin, east side of Turkey.

Ferzan said he wants Sezen Aksu to make the music of “Sonra Aglayacagim” which can be literally translated as “ Will cry later “ but this is not the official English title.

James Cameron has written and directed blockbusters like Avatar, Titanic and Terminator.

His new movie will be in the cinemas on February 4th. Before that, the movie will have its premier on 27th January in Los Angeles.

Kivanç Tatlitug, also known as Brad Pitt of the Middle East is specially invited to the gala of Sanctum. He will be able to meet James Cameron and many other celebrities during the gala.

Tatlıtuğ was Best Model Of The World in 2002 and Longtime partner of Miss World Azra Akin. His tv series Ask-i Memnu, Gumus and Ezel are the most watched tv series in Turkey and sold to many tv channels in the Middle East.

Tatlıtuğ was recruited by a modelling agency after his mother sent pictures of him. He won the “Best Model of Turkey” modeling pageant and went on to win the “Model Of The World” modelling pageant in October 2001. Since then, Kıvanç has been working as a professional model and actor.

As reported, James Cameron wanted to view scenes from Kivanc’s famous tv series.

There will be a special Formula 1 Istanbul Grand Prix opening party at Reina wednesday night. Speed of enthusiasm, experience and teamwork, Formula 1 Istanbul Grand Prix excitement begins. McLaren Mercedes F1 driver Jenson Button will be a special guest at the party, on May 26 Wednesday night .Ajda Pekkan dynamics will add excitement to the night, and perform live on stage at 22:30.

The most successful driver in motor racing history Michael Schumacher, returns to race with Mercedes in Formula One after three seasons in retirement. Ferrari’s 2000-2004 champion Schumacher won seven world championships in a career spanning 16 years and 249 races.

The teams and drivers are:
Hamilton and Button – McLauren
Schumacher and Rosberg – Mercedes GP
Massa and Alonso – Ferrari
Vettel and Webber – Red-Bull

Tickets available at http://www.biletix.com/

Photo by by ph-stop