My Dear AMP 173 Friends,
I wish the long weekend between September 11 and 14, 2014 has also been memorable for my friends who participated in our AMP 173 Istanbul Reunion 2014 ass it has been for me.
I am thankful to Beki Moyo, Constance Kann, David Tudehope, Flooris Van der Walt, Gregor Hubler, Haluk Dortluoglu, Helge Forfang, Karl Andreas Baumann, Klaus Furthmayr, Luciano Manzo, Mike Tully, Semih Yalman, Urs Jakob Schnell, and Urs Mueller for their participation, and their quick adaptation to Istanbul’s messy traffic, and crowded trams without complaint.
We had scheduled an intensive event program to share our visions on economic, political, and cultural atmosphere in Turkey; and to present a broad view of how Turkey established its current existence beginning from the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. The places we visited and even the food we served were chosen with the same intention.
After a long session to fulfill our longing, and update each other on Thursday night, we started our seminars on Friday morning. Our first speaker was Mr. Michael Weiss, Partner in AT Kearney who discussed the logic of investing in Turkey. Second, Mr. Izi Adato, Executive Board Member of Dogus Internet Ventures shared his story, as an entrepreneur, in the unpredictable environment of Turkish economy. Our third speaker was Ms. İklil Selçuk, Partner in Historist Tourism Consultancy and Organization Inc., who gave us a speech title of which was “From Nomads to Emperors: The Rise of the Ottoman Economy”. Her partner Ms. Leyla Kayhan Elbirlik also contributed to her speech. These two young ladies with Harvard degree discussed the factors which lead to the rise, stagnation and regression of the Ottoman Empire beginning from its establishment. Then in Friday afternoon we explored Topkapı Palace and discussed Ottoman Empire and reflections on Modern Turkey. In the evening we enjoyed a true Istanbul experience in a meyhane of local tavern tradition with musicians.
Our Saturday morning speakers included Mr. Hakan Akbaş, Senior Advisor of ASG; and Mr. Ahmet Ünüvar, CEO & President of IMG-Dogus. Mr. Akbaş enlightened us about socio-political environment in Turkey. Mr. Ünüvar, on the other hand, told us how they sought and provided opportunity for talents who grow in a fertile country like Turkey. The rest of the day we walked up to Istiklal Street, old Grand Rue de Pera along Galata Tower, which is an ancient Genoese tower in Galata area. We drove to Sultanahmet, dived into Constantinopolis, the Byzantine Capital of 1100 years, and visited the ancient Hippodrome & Hagia Sophia. We also had the opportunity to end the day with a Bosphorus Cruise before dinner. We wouldn’t have treated my friends nicely if we had not let them experience a night out in the Bosphorus, which we did. And luckily we had the chance to have a last breakfast with some of the participants before they departed on Sunday.
I am very happy to see that my friends are so generous to spare their appreciating words following our reunion. I wish we have at least made a little contribution to their perception of Istanbul and Turkey.
Now, after having spent a whole weekend with my lifetime friends, I can say that I had a different sense of Istanbul. It is once again proven to me that; apart from its social, cultural and historical aspects, the perception of what makes a city special for you is also related to which memories you have in it, with whom…
I hope to see you again soon…
Perihan (Peri) Inci
Hi! 