Atlanta Turkish Festival

Thanks to our Partners and Sponsors:


2008 Atlanta Turkish Festival will be on October 12, 2008 at the Gwinnett Convention Center.
Address: 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097


Highlight of the Festival:
The Ottoman Military (Mehter) Band! Mehter Band is coming to 2008 Atlanta Turkish Festival

The Mehter or Ottoman Military Band is known to be the oldest variety of military marching band in the world. This music marked its arrival on the world stage many centuries ago as the Ottoman Empire was expanding into Europe and Asia. With their bright jewel toned coats the band would send the army out to victory. Just as the strong music and beautiful costumes brought joy to the Ottoman Turks they also brought fear to the hearts of their enemies. The inspiring music is also known to have influenced the works of renowned composers such as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Today, the music of the Mehters is largely ceremonial evoking a sense of pride among the Turkish people.

What else to expect at the Atlanta Turkish Festival:
  • Celebrate, learn, and savour Turkish hospitality, culture and heritage
  • Enjoy the great Turkish cuisine, sample gourmet foods including kebabs, gyro, lahmacun (Turkish pizza), baklava, Turkish delight, desserts, handmade pastries and more...
  • Have a taste of Turkish tea and Turkish coffee
  • Watch performances of Turkish folk dances
  • Listen to authentic Turkish music
  • Watch demonstations of classical Turkish arts
  • Traditional jewellery, handicrafts and costumes
  • Lots of fun activities for kids
  • and more...


  • Program Flow:
    11:30 Introductory Video Clip on Turkiye
    11:50 Introductory Video Clip on Istanbul Center
    12:00 Opening Remarks by Tarik Celik (Executive Director of Istanbul Center)
    12:20 Turkish Folk Dance Group (Bluestar)
    12:40 Turkish Music Performance (Nko Aswad)
    13:00 MEHTER, The Ottoman Military Band
    13:30 Raffle
    13:45 Karagoz and Hajivat (Ankara Sanat Evi)
    14:00 Break / Henna Night
    14:30 Turkish Folk Dance Group (Bluestar)
    14:50 Turkish Music Performance (Phili Munoz, Hong Bui)
    15:10 MEHTER, The Ottoman Mehter Band
    15:40 Raffle
    16:00 Puppet Show (Ankara Sanat Evi)
    16:20 Turkish Folk Dance Group (Bluestar)
    16:30 Bosnian Folk Dance Group
    16:50 Folk Drama (Ankara Sanat Evi)
    17:10 MEHTER, The Ottoman Military Band
    17:40 Raffle
    17:50 Turkish Music Performance (Nichelle Dawkins)
    18:10 Standup Show (Atalay Demirci)
    18:45 Closing Remarks by Tarik Celik (Executive Director of Istanbul Center)


    Year of Turkey

    This event is part of Year of Turkey activities.
    Please visit www.yearofturkey.org for more information.


    2008 Atlanta Turkish Festival Poster


    Booths at Atlanta Turkish Festival 2008:

    Booths at the 2008 Festival:
    - Istanbul Center / Global Spectrum Foundation
    - Istanbul Center Turkish Language Class
    - Istanbul Cooking Class
    - Homemade Turkish Food
    - Turkish Coffee & Turkish Tea
    - Shish Kebab
    - Ali Baba / Doner Kebab (Gyro)
    - Ali Baba / Borek & Baklava
    - Ali Baba / Inegol Kofte
    - Cafe Istanbul Turkish Cuisine
    - Rocco's Pizza - Kyoto John's Turkish Pizza
    - Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Spirit of Stone Mr. Fehim Hakkioglu
    - Istanbul Center Hat - Calligraphy Mr. Aydin Çayir
    - Istanbul Center Ebru - Marbling Mr. Mustafa Çalik
    - Istanbul Center Çini - Turkish Tile Art Ms. Pamir Thompson
    - Eternal Grace Art of Glass
    - Burdur Belediyesi City of Burdur
    - Pendik Belediyesi City of Pendik Handmade Silk Rugs
    - Turkish Honorary Consul General for Georgia Mona Tekin Diamond
    - Turkish American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeastern US (TACC Southeast) - Kennesaw State University
    - Georgia State University
    - Morehouse College
    - Poyraz&Karlibel Turkish Hazelnut
    - Silver Jewelry Handmade Jewelry
    - Galata Tower Shop
    - Bereket Turkish Grocery
    - Rug Outlet
    - Antepli LLC. Crazy Toys
    - Ephesus Remodeling
    - Atlantic Souveniers
    - Galata Tower Shop
    - Mini Grand Bazaar
    - Autofarm
    - The Fountain Magazine
    - Dunya Telecom
    - Erdal Real Estate
    - Gift Items
    - Festival Memories / Photo Booth
    - Kids Corner





    Booths in 2008 Festival

    - Istanbul Center / Global Spectrum Foundation
    - Istanbul Center Turkish Language Class
    - Istanbul Cooking Class
    - Homemade Turkish Food
    - Turkish Coffee & Turkish Tea
    - Shish Kebab
    - Ali Baba / Doner Kebab (Gyro)
    - Ali Baba / Borek & Baklava
    - Ali Baba / Inegol Kofte
    - Cafe Istanbul Turkish Cuisine
    - Rocco's Pizza - Kyoto John's Turkish Pizza
    - Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Spirit of Stone Mr. Fehim Hakkioglu
    - Istanbul Center Hat - Calligraphy Mr. Aydin Çayir
    - Istanbul Center Ebru - Marbling Mr. Mustafa Çalik
    - Istanbul Center Çini - Turkish Tile Art Ms. Pamir Thompson
    - Eternal Grace Art of Glass
    - Burdur Belediyesi City of Burdur
    - Pendik Belediyesi City of Pendik Handmade Silk Rugs
    - Turkish Honorary Consul General for Georgia Mona Tekin Diamond
    - TACC Southeast
    - Kennesaw State University
    - Georgia State University
    - Morehouse College
    - Poyraz&Karlibel Turkish Hazelnut
    - Silver Jewelry Handmade Jewelry
    - Galata Tower Shop
    - Bereket Turkish Grocery
    - Rug Outlet
    - Antepli LLC. Crazy Toys
    - Ephesus Remodeling
    - Atlantic Souveniers
    - Galata Tower Shop
    - Mini Grand Bazaar
    - Autofarm
    - The Fountain Magazine
    - Dunya Telecom
    - Erdal Real Estate
    - Gift Items
    Festival Memories / Photo Booth
    - Kids Corner

      Istanbul Center/Global Spectrum Foundation
    Headquarters: Two Midtown Plaza Suite 1010 1349 W Peachtree St NW Atlanta, GA 30309
    Norcross Branch: 6760 Jimmy Carter Blvd NW Suite 125 Norcross, GA 30071
    Phone: (678) 990-1717 Fax: (877) 900-1717

    www.istanbulcenter.org