Turkish Folk Dancers Shine at World Bank Show
Organization Celebrated its Cultures on Dec. 12
The Turkish Times - Thousands of World Bank Staff applauded for the Turkish Folkdance and Kaftan Fashion show in an end-of-year celebration event at World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, December 12. Staff filled the Atrium of the Main Complex at 4pm to witness their colleagues and families share their culture as singers, dancers, choreographers, fashion designer, models, and playwrights. At 4:01pm a song from the Black Sea region of Turkey roared in the Atrium. Everybody was moving with the rhythm and clapping as the Turkish Folkdance Troupe entered the stage with a lively "horon" dance from the heart of their motherland.

The wave of applause continued until the end of the dance. Just as the dancers were leaving, models wearing modernized Turkish kaftans designed by Tulay Akin appeared on stage. Beautifully designed kaftans mesmerized the audience as Jim Wolfensohn, the President of the World Bank, walked on to the stage as a part of the fashion show. In his welcoming speech Jim Wolfensohn said

"I do have some experience with the performing arts, with the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, and I can tell you honestly that today's event at the World Bank is way up there with the best of them"

The event, entitled " Celebration of Cultures" featured 13 finalist performances by staff chosen to highlight the many rich and varied cultures that make up the World Bank Community. There was a tremendous support from the audience to the performers from various countries including Turkey, Peru, India, Philippines, China, Lebanon, Canada, United States and others.

Tara Sharafudeen, from the organization committee said "the Turkish dances are so lively and colorful that starting off with the Turks drowned the audience into the event right from the first second."

Washington, DC Turkish Folk Dance Troupe after a performance in Virginia Beach in May 2002.

The finalists for the "Celebration of Cultures" were identified through a number of competitive auditions a few weeks before the event. During auditions The Washington D.C. Folk Dance Troupe won Best Performance for the Europe and Central Asia category. The troupe participating with a regional "horon" dance from the Black Sea (Karadeniz) region, consisted of Demet Cabbar, Deniz Muslu, Esin Mengi, Asli Necioglu, Ilknur Eginli, Nihal Subasi, and Yesim Devrim.

At the same show, Tulay Akin, was also selected as a finalists for her fashion show featuring her modernized Turkish kaftan designs. As the winners for the Europe and Central Asia category the Folk Dance Troupe and Tulay Akin represented this region of the world at the actual "Celebration of Cultures" event held on December 12th.

The Washington, D.C. Turkish Folk Dance Troupe was created in January 1998. The goal of the group has been to learn and perform a variety of traditional Turkish folk dances to help broaden the knowledge of Turkish culture in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The troupe is in its sixth season and is busier than ever. With over thirty performances under its belt, the group has performed in many local venues. The group, which currently has more than 20 members, is continually growing and expanding its repertoire to include dances from more regions of Turkey. For more information on the troupe visit: http://www.geocities.com/atsafolklore/

Tulay Akin, born in Ankara, Turkey, has always had a passion for fashion and designs. Inspired by her sister who was a Fashion Designer, Tulay started working on her own designs, after her brother gave her a sewing machine as a present. Tulay designs her beautiful Kaftans at her Home Hobby Studio in Rockville, Maryland.

Tulay has always been fascinated by Turkish Kaftans and her interest expanded to include the designing of a modern Kaftan. Her modern Kaftans encompass a variety of styles, while still maintaining the traditional charm. Tulay chooses a warm, ornate selection of fabrics to prepare her designs, which combined with her modern style create a 'one of a kind' design.

The mood of her designs are not only stunning in their design, but also light and comfortable, inviting you to experience the ease of wear and harmony of pulse with today's lifestyle. Tulay also designs a beautiful array of ornaments and hand crafted jewelries.

Tulay presented her work in many fairs at Washington D.C., and the metropolitan area, including Margaret Mc Namara Memorial Fund Fairs at the World Bank, Washington Turkish Women Association's annual fund raising events and she contributed some of her pieces to the success of the Traditional Weddings Grand Finale presentation in 1995 in Washington DC.

Her designs were shown on a cultural program on Television in 1994. Currently, she is applying the same 'one of a kind' design to Jackets, vests and shawls.