2005 - Fall - Turkish Canadian Friendship Society Vancouver Island

VA N C O U V E R I S L A N D T U R K I S H
CANADIAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIET Y
571 Michigan Street, Victoria, BC V8V 1S6
Phone: 480 7877 Fax: 480– 7878 E-mail: info@islandturks.com
Website: www.islandturks.com
Fall 2005
Recent Events
New Executives
Inside this issue:
Turkish Movie Nights
2
Victoria Day Parade
3
Kurban Bayramı
4
Turkish Class
5
VITCFS is ten yrs old
6
Membership
8
Upcoming Events
8
FROM THE EDITOR
HAPPY HOLIDAYS and
HAPPY NEW YEAR. On
behalf of VITCFS, I
want to extend my
best wishes to everyone for the coming
year. Have a great
holiday season and
we hope to see you
all in 2006.
Sincerely,
Editor in Chief,
Caner Budakoğlu
The first executive meeting of the Vancouver Island Turkish Canadian Friendship
Society (VITFCS) was held on October
8th, 2005. The society’s executive members are (from left to right in photo):
Özge Gündoğdu (Social Activities Director), Erdem Yazganoğlu (Member at
Large), Aydın Çulhaci (Treasurer), Gökay Your executive members
Urk (Membership Director), Ozan Peksoy
(President), Kemal Çançar (Member at Large), Seniha Birch (Cultural Activities Director), Caner Budakoğlu (Vice President) and Erinç Mullaoğlu
(Web Designer).
The 82th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey
Annually, on October 29th, Turks around
the world gather to celebrate the establishment of the Turkish Republic. Members of the VITCF gathered at UVic on October 29, 2005, to celebrate “Republic
Day”. Thanks to the vision and determination of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the
Turkish people, Turkey has advanced as a
model, embracing its cultural heritage,
while simultaneously moving forward and
creating a progressive society. The October 29 at UVic
VITCFS sent its best wishes and congratulations to Turkish citizens living in Canada, to Turkish-Canadians
and to all of our Canadian friends on the day of celebration of the founding of the Turkish republic.
New Logo
At an executive meeting on November 6, 2005, the logo above was selected as the VITCFS’s permanent logo. We would like to thank Saide
Sullivan for designing an excellent logo. If you have any comments or
suggestions on our new logo, please contact us (see the membership
section for contact information).
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Turkish Movie Nights
VITCFS continues to organize our popular “free”
movie nights in conjunction with the UVic Turkish
Student’s Association. Our first joint movie presentation took place on April 1, 2005, with a well attended
presentation of “The Bandit”. This Autumn, we presented two more movies at UVIC on October 28 and
November 25.
•
Everything You Want to Know About Mustafa
One of Turkish Movie Nights
•
Atatürk (an award winning documentary)
at UVic
•
The Bandit
Please join us for an enjoyable, free movie and feel free to bring your friends
(all movies are English subtitled). These gatherings are also a great chance to
visit with your friends from the VITCFS. Information on upcoming movies is
distributed by e-mail to VITCFS members and is posted on our website.
Turkish Flag on Yates St.
Thanks to Laureen Skinner of The Market
on Yates, and the efforts of our Saide
Çancar Sullivan, our glorious Turkish flag is
now added to all the other international
flags flying on the roof of The Market.
The Turkish
Flag now
flies proudly
on the roof of
The Market
on Yates in
Victoria
Mrs. Çancar and Laureen Skinner
Mozart in Turkey Film Presentation
The VITCFS participated in the initiative of Tulu Tezcan of TURQUEBEC, to obtain Canadian broadcasting rights to “Mozart in Turkey”, a joint TurkishEnglish production. After a successful application, the film was shown on TV
on November 17, 2005. The film is now available to members from our library.
Turkish Language Lessons
The 2005– 2006 term started on September, 2005. As before, the lessons are
free and are held at Seniha Birch’s home every Wednesday from 6:30 pm to
8:00 pm. Additional sessions are being provided to new students to help them
catch up to the present level of the class.
Presentation on
The Armenian Question
Ay Yıldız Folk
Dancers
Turkish Embassy official Fazli
Çorman of Ottawa and Honorary
Consul Mehmet Sezginalp of Vancouver arrived for a visit on Septemer, 2005. Mr. Çorman gave a well
prepared presentation on historical
and legal perspectives on the Armenian Question.
The dance group Ay Yıldız gave another
very special presentation of Turkish folk
dances at The Victorian at McKenzie on
May 21, 2005. The group also danced
for the Saanich Silver Threads dinner
gathering on February 3, 2005.
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FolkFest 2005 Fashion Show
On July 9, 2005, the VITCFS performed on stage at FolkFest at Ship
Point. This year a large group of Victorians wore 25 authentic Turkish
costumes. It was a vibrant explosion
of colours. The costumes were displayed between performances of
Turkish folkdances by Ay Yıldız.
The 107th Annual Island Farms Victoria Day Parade
In the Victoria
Day Parade
“We were one
of the
brightest,
most colourful
and
cheerful of
the groups.”
Our Society was
invited
again
to
participate in this
year’s
famous
“Victoria Day Parade” on May 23,
2005.
As before,
we wore our smiles,
folk costumes and
waived our colourful Turkish and Canadian flags in the
streets of Victoria.
We were happy to
be joined this year
by the members of
the “Turkish Canadian Society” from
Vancouver.
We The VITCFS at the Victoria Day parade
were “one of the
brightest, most colourful and cheerful of the groups.”
FaustFest
As one of the sponsors of FaustFest, held May 3 to May 8, 2005, the Society
invited Studio4 Istanbul for the presentation of their adaptation of Goethe’s
Faust. The performers were able to meet the local Turkish students at a tea
reception on May 1, 2005 at Saide Çançar Sullivan’s residence. After their last
performance, Hüsamettin Polat hosted a dinner reception at the Laurel Point
Inn for members of Studio4 Istanbul. The Turkish Embassy in Ottawa was
kind enough to provide $3,900 towards the travel costs of the group from
İstanbul.
23 Nisan Çocuk Bayramı (Children’s Day Holiday)
On April 24, 2005, children (and adults) were spoiled by lots of candy and
sweets at a joyful event held at the Cedar Hill Rec. Centre in honour of the
Children’s Day Holiday.
Page 4
Harmony Fall 2005
Kurban Bayramı Celebration
To celebrate the Kurbam Bayrami
Holiday, on January 23, 2005, the
VITCFS hosted a potluck lunch at the
Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. We
had a large turn out, with members
of the community bringing many of
their favorite dishes.
The VITCFS
hosted a
potluck lunch
at the Cedar
Hill
Turkish Library Now Open
On March 25, 2005 our library officially opened. We would like to thank Aydın
Çulhacı for his work in organizing the library, and thank all those who donated
their valuable books. Our library is now located at our cultural activities director’s home at 571 Michigan Street, Victoria, phone first to 480-7877. The library is open to both members and the public and currently features 67 books
in the following categories: Biography, Cooking, History, Poetry, Children, Fiction, Non-Fiction and Travel. Check our website for the current list of books
Recreation
Centre.
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Member Contributions
Turkish Class
By Cynthia Lane, a member of the VITCFS
Turkish Class
I have been fortunate enough to benefit from the
Turkish languages lessons hosted by Seniha
Birch in her home. After my first trip to Turkey,
I had tried to learn Turkish from a book. Anyone
who has tried learning a language from a book
knows how that goes!
The Turkish text book we use says İzmir is the
most beautiful city in Turkey. I haven’t been to
every city in Turkey, of course, but when I got a
chance to go to a conference in İzmir last year, I a mandarin orange grove
wasn’t going to pass it by.
I was expecting the weather in late October to be quite rainy. And so, I took
rain gear. Imagine my delight to arrive at an airport basked in sunny sweet 36
degree weather. What a great excuse to check out the market! I got completely lost, even with a map in hand, but I had short sleeves and sandals and
food by then and was no longer melting, and I was in heaven. Speaking of
food, iskender kebap, vişne suyu, beti sarması too many good things to mention them all…. Eating is a great way to use Turkish lessons. Otherwise, I
might end up with a bowl of assorted internal organs by mistake.
Alsancak (where the conference was) is a very cosmopolitan and charming
area. A lot of the ladies seem to wear really tight clothes, which surprised me
a little. Yet, outside this area, and past the market, ladies are still wearing
long skirts, shalwar, and headscarves. Regardless of attire, everyone was very
friendly, even when my language attempts obviously puzzled them. No one
asked me if I was a comedian, which I am sure they would have if I’d have
tried the pronunciation suggested by the phrase book. (It made me laugh.)
One fellow at a cafe was practicing his English with me. He was also trying to
teach his resistant co-worker how to say “I don’t speak English”. So I wrote
“Ay dont spik inglis” on a piece of paper for him. Instant success! An odd use
for Turkish lessons, perhaps, but he was happy.
The Çancar’s were kind enough to introduce me to their relatives in İzmir who
all speak beautiful English, and I must admit I appreciated not having to struggle to converse. They were very generous and invited me many places: tea,
dinner, lunch, across the bay, the market, the farm, shopping, books for Turkish lessons, and to a mandarin orange grove. Oh, you haven’t lived till you’ve
had a mandarin orange fresh off the tree. I was completely spoilt. One restaurant we stopped at had rows of amphora, still encrusted with barnacles, hanging from the beams. Any one of them would be in a climate controlled museum case in Canada. And, although I know limon cologne is the most popular,
I developed a weakness for lavanta at the Tariş store. Many special memories.
Did I mention people expect to get lost in the market?
İzmir’s most famous landmark is in Konak. The other very special thing about
İzmir is the bay is very deep, right up to the edge of the land at the city’s centre. You can sit right by the sea in a cafe and watch the ships go by. And since
it is a bay, you can also enjoy the surrounding hills. I think the text book may
be right.
“Oh, you
haven’t lived
till you’ve had
a mandarin
orange fresh
off the tree. I
was
completely
spoilt.”
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The VITCFS is Ten Years Old: 1995-2005
By Salih Zeki Çınar
“The VITCFS will
only be able to
exist as an active
entity with your
support which I
am confident
that you will
continue to
demonstrate.”
VANCOUVER ISLAND
TURKISH CANADIAN
FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY
571 Michigan Street
Victoria BC
V8V 1S6
Phone: 250-480-7877
Fax: 250-480-7878
E-mail:
islandturks@gmail.com
The VITCFS turned ten years old this September. In spite of our young age,
we should be proud of the activities the Board of Directors and members have
participated in during the past ten years. The VITCFS acts as a bridge between Canadians and Turkish Canadians. From time to time, Canadian members have taken positions on the VITCFS Executive, and have participated in
our social activities such as Folk Fest and the Victoria Day Parade when we
have exhibited colourful Turkish folk costumes. The VITCFS will only be able
to exist as an active entity with your support which I am confident that you
will continue to demonstrate.
History of the VITCFS
By Salih Zeki Çınar
When I came to Victoria in 1959 with my family members, we were the only
Turkish people here. Since 1959, many Turkish people, several hundred in my
estimation, have arrived in Victoria, lived here for awhile and subsequently
left. During the 60’s, as stable residents of Victoria, we formed the nucleus of
the Turkish Community in Victoria. Our address was given to all potential
Turkish visitors. For example, one weekend almost all the Turkish people in
Vancouver came to visit us! In 1963, the Turkish Canadian Society was established in Vancouver and we became members of it.
As a professional forester for the Ministry of Forests and I tried to find jobs for
other Turkish professionals in Victoria. This was difficult because they sometimes lacked satisfactory English language skills. However, after a few years
there were three Turkish foresters working in Victoria. Many years later when
we were several families, we gathered for dinner parties.
In the mid 90's we saw more Turkish people living in Victoria. On May 18,
1995 we arranged a picnic at Elk Lake. Turkish people from Vancouver and
Nanaimo joined us for the picnic—which was our largest outdoor gathering before we formed the VITCFS. At that picnic we talked about forming a society.
I began work on this as a project, researching the necessary information to
form the VITCFS to include all of Vancouver Island.
On September 18, 1995, the Turkish Ambassador to Ottawa, the honorable
Ömer Ersun, visited Victoria to meet with members of the Turkish Community.
It was the first time a Turkish Ambassador had met with the Turkish Community in Victoria. At that meeting he suggested that we form a Society as soon
as possible and then the society could become a member of the Federation of
the Canadian Turkish Associations.
I soon wrote a constitution and took the necessary steps to apply for a Society. It was necessary to find a name not to be confused with the Vancouver
Society so we registered the society as The Vancouver Island Turkish Canadian
Friendship Society on September 28, 1995.
The first meeting of the potential members was held at the Langford Fire Hall.
Many of the attendees were registered as new members at that time. Board
members worked diligently to arrange events. We twice arranged an art exhibition at the then Eaton's Centre, with Vancouver Artists Atanur and Asuman.
In the last ten years some VITCFS members have shown a genuine interest in
the affairs of the VITCFS to maintain it as an active entity among the many
other ethnic societies in Victoria. I thank those tireless and dedicated individuals. My thanks are also due to my wife Audrey who has supported me in the
VITCFS’s activities from the first day of its establishment.
Page 7
Harmony Fall 2005
Financial Statement of VITCFS for year ending September 30, 2005
Page 8
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MEMBERSHIP DUES
Membership dues are an important part of our budget. Activities can only be
continued through the efforts and contribution of our members. If you haven't
yet paid your membership dues for 2005 or 2006, please send your cheque to
the address below. Membership fees are as below:
Family
$30
Single
$20
Student
$10
Vancouver Island Turkish Canadian Friendship Society
571 Michigan Street,
Victoria, BC V8V 1S6
Phone: 250-480-7877
Fax: 250-480-7878
E-mail: islandturks@gmail.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
We are on
the Internet
www.islandturks.
com
Please set aside the following dates on your calendar.
Kurban Bayramı Celebration Saturday, January 14, 2006 at UVic
Turkish Movie Nights 7 PM Harry Hickman Building at UVic
•
Friday, January 27, 2006 (Movie TBA)
•
Friday, February 24, 2006 (Movie TBA)
•
Friday, April 23, 2006 (Atatürk Documentary)
Watch your e-mail or our website for more information on these events.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This issue of Harmony is being sent by mail to all present
and past members of the VITCFS, as well as other friends of
the VITCFS.
The March 2006 issue of Harmony will only be mailed to
members who have paid their membership fees for the year.
We will continue to post Harmony on our website and distribute it by email.
With your support, we hope to publish Harmony four times
per year.
-The VITCFS Executive
H a r m o n y
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BUSINESS NEWS
Next Harmony:
March 2006
Harmony
Magazine
needs
your
submisNext time, you could find your business advertised here. Our rates are very
sions
for
its
next
isreasonable: Full Page: $40, Half Page: $20, Business Card Size: $5. Contact
sue,
March
2006.
We
VITCFS at info@islandturks.com for more information on how to advertise in
are looking for inforthe next issue of Harmony.
mation or issues that
may be of interest to
the Turkish community
on Vancouver Island,
such
as
upcoming
events, entertainment,
recipes,
community
news, photos, etc. We
also accept business
advertisements at a
2506 Douglas St. Victoria
reasonable rate (Full
Phone: 382-9998
Page: $40, Half Page:
Gokhan Duman’s store features products such as: pastirma, sucuk, tulumba,
$20, Business Card
baklava, and feta cheese bulgarian, greek, goat and cow, olives (marmara bir- Size: $5)
lik, moroccan, various green olives), marmalade, cookies, tea, coffee, Turkish dePlease send all sublight, candied chestnuts.
missions to us by email at
Hours:
info@islandturks.com
Monday—Friday: 9:30 – 18:00
Seven Valleys Fine Food & Deli
Saturday: 10:30 – 18:00
Closed Sunday
Watch for the website, coming
soon to www.7valleys.biz
A view from the inside of the Seven Valleys
Fine Food & Deli.
The deadline for the
March 2006 issue is
midnight, February
24, 2006.
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