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Press Releases

Explore the Wonders of TURKEY in the Heart of D.C.

Experience authentic Turkish art and culture at the 8th Annual Turkish Festival on Sunday, October 3, 2010 from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 12th & 14th Streets

The American-Turkish Association of Washington D.C. (ATA-DC) is proud to present a day-long, fun-filled and cost-free celebration of Turkey. Every year, the festival draws tens of thousands of Washingtonians to the streets to enjoy delicious Turkish food and coffee, browse and shop at the Turkish Bazaar, and watch mesmerizing stage performances. This year, once again festival goers will have the opportunity to journey from D.C. to Turkey through experiencing Turkey’s rich cultural history, its culinary delights, and a variety of live Turkish music and engaging folk dance performances. The festival will also reach beyond Turkey’s borders featuring the rich cultural presence of the Balkans, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Visitors will also be invited to join us in our efforts to secure a position in the Guinness Book of World Records as we attempt to make the World's Longest Shish Kebab. If the record attempt is successful, we will announce the World Record on the Turkish Festival’s official website.

“This year's event is looking to be our best. In addition to shows, interactive displays, performances and delicious food, this year we are going to attempt to secure a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the World's Longest Shish Kebab.” says Hayri Baysal, Festival Committee Co-Chair. “We hope this memorable event will be a fun way for Washingtonians to experience all that Turkey has to offer.”

Festival highlights include:

- Turkish cuisine from local Washington D.C. Turkish restaurants: Kabobs, vegetarian dishes, pastries and desserts will be available for purchase. Turkish coffee will be offered at the ever-popular Turkish coffee house, and fortune-tellers will be reading fortunes from coffee grinds.

- A “Kid's Tent” will provide an interactive introduction to Turkey featuring hands-on activities that will provide children of all ages an afternoon full of educational fun and an opportunity to build and bring home their own artistic creations.

- “The Culture and Tourism Tent” will host exhibitions as well as demonstrations of Turkish arts such as calligraphy, paper marbling, tile-making, miniature, and carpet weaving. More than 20 arts and crafts vendors will showcase Turkish jewelry, hand-woven textiles, and pottery at the Turkish Bazaar.

Admission is FREE • Street parking is available in addition to nearby garages • The Festival is accessible by public transportation • From Metro Center, take the G and 13th Street Exit and walk south to Pennsylvania Avenue • From Federal Triangle, take 12th Street Exit; follow 12th Street North to Pennsylvania Avenue.

This year ATA-DC is organizing the 2nd Turkish Restaurant Week in DC before the festival. Between September 17 and 26, a 4-course meal at select Turkish restaurants will be offered for only $25. There will also be a cooking demonstration featuring traditional cuisine.

Main Sponsor: The Turkish Cultural Foundation

Media Sponsors: Turkish American Hour • I AM Modern Magazine

For more information, a complete schedule of activities, and sponsor information, visit us online:

www.turkishfestival.org              www.twitter.com/turkishfestival

About ATA-DC

The American-Turkish Association of Washington DC, founded in 1965, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding between the Turkish and non-Turkish communities in the Washington DC area. For more information visit www.atadc.org