Strictly Mundial, World Music Showcases in Turkey

12/07/2003 07:44AM

Istanbul, Turkey -  Strictly Mundial, the international world music showcase event has announced additional information of interest to participants and the world music community in general. The 2004 edition will take in Istanbul, Turkey, April 21-24).

HOTEL / TRANSFER

The organizers have an agreeemnt with a well-known congress and tourism agency, DEKON, for accommodations of accreditations. Good quality hotels which are in the walking distance of the event places provide a 60% discount. On the web site, if you take a look at the menu under ‘Register’, you will see alternative hotel prices in two districts mentioned, one is ‘Beyoglu’ which is the area of Night Concerts, the other is ‘Harbiye’, the Day Time Programs Area. Should you state your criteria via the online questionnaire, then DEKON will book hotel and/or your transfer as soon as possible with the best deal. DEKON also provides a round transfer between hotel and airport with an extra charge of 20 EURO, which is inexpensive and reliable as well. http://www.istanbul2004.info/contents/english/register.htm.

BUSINESS FAIR STANDS

The application for the stands in the fair, which will be held in the Harbiye district, has already been started. Till the 31st of January 2004, the ‘sunshine’ pricelist will be available under the first-come-first-serve basis. The detailed info and online application are available at: http://www.istanbul2004.info/contents/english/register.htm.


PRESS ACCREDITATION

There is a special application form for Press Accreditation of Strictly Mundial Istanbul 2004. Online application to get a FREE special press entrance card is available on our web site under the menu ‘Register’. Press members who send properly filled application forms will be able to join all of the events free of charge.

http://www.istanbul2004.info/contents/mix/media/m_accr.doc

Here is a rough description of Strictly Mundial Istanbul 2004:

Istanbul... The city of tales and dreams where blue and green meets...The land over seven hills that blends the mystery of the east with the west... Now, please close your eyes and and imagine that you are listening to all the voices of the world by looking into the green eyes of this great lady whose blue body connects Asia to Europe with peace and tender. Strictly Mundial 2004 invites you to Istanbul to share this dream.

This magical journey in Istanbul will start with a gala concert in Aya Irini (Hagia Irene), the city’s oldest Byzantine church, dating back to the Fourth Century and located inside the city walls between Ayasofya (Haghia Sophia) and Topkapi Palace.

The main body of day and evening concerts will take place at the “CRR - Cemal Resit Rey”, Turkey’s most prestigeous concert hall, and in the Military Museum. Both, CRR and Military Museum, are located on opposite sides of one street in the district of Harbiye. The Museum will also host the extensive conference and seminar section (app. 35 sessions) and the trade-fair, giving space to some 300 stands.

And in the night… off to Beyoglu... or Pera..., just 15 minutes by foot, right into the heart of Istanbul where fun and culture is alive for 24 hours a day. We selected the most beautiful ones, more than a dozen, of the six thousand night clubs in Beyolu for you: Babylon, Kemanci, Jazz Stop, Mojo, Shaman, Yaga …

To enable participants to enjoy all these activities even more, all SM hotels are right in the center of Istanbul, and in walking distance to CRR / Military Museum and the night club area. (Only Aya Irini is in a different part of town).

About 800 bands from 100 different countries have applied to perform at Strictly Mundial Istanbul 2004. 15 of 60 bands have been already confirmed. These are:

A Sufi Celebration

with Faiz Ali Faiz / Pakistan and Galata Mevlevi Ensemble / Turkey

Aynur Dogan

Contemporary Kurdish songs; Turkey

Baba Zula

Psychebelly dance music; Turkey


Camut Band

Percussion, tap & dance; Spain

Dhruba Ghosh

Classical sarangi music from Northern India

First Vienna Vegetable Orchestra

A performance not only for vegetarians; Austria

Ihan Ersahin

World jazz; Turkey

Incesaz

“Tango Alla Turca”; Turkey

Kardes Türküler

The contemporary sound of Anatolia; Turkey


Kora-Jazz-Trio

Guinea / Senegal


Majorstuen

Violin music from Norway


“O Brasil da Sanfona”

Accordion music from four corners of Brasil, by Arlindo dos 8 baixos & Cesinha / Renato Borghetti / Toninho Ferragutti / Dino Rocha


Oojami

Bellydancing Breakbeats from Bodrum in Northern London; Turkey / Great Britain


Yansimalar

New Turkish Acoustic Music; Turkey

World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20031207074433329