Turkish delights

By Pooja shrestha

Friday. 19:30. Yak and Yeti welcomed the stars from Turkey. People familiarized themsleves with the Turkish culture. It was an event that bridged the gap between the two countries- Turkey and Nepal.

"Turkish Delights" as the event goes in association with The Consulate of Turkey in Nepal and the Royal Nepalese Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, Turks are here to perform, present and promote.

A walk along the corridor of Naachghar restaurant charmed the passersby with its souveniers made by Turkish craftsmen like jewelleries, rugs, pillows and copperware. You head further to witness the exhibition featuring water colour paintings of Nurettin Bektas and Cemil Ergun. Black and white photographs too hang on the board making its place portraying the Turkish society where Oser Karburouglu sets the image of a person playing a trumpet or capturing the faces of the kids.

Turkish cuisine for dinner is something you would not like to miss out.An overwhelming variety of dishes, each with a unique combination of ingredients and prepared and presented its own specil way. As Turks are purist in their culinary taste, their delicacies bring out the flavour of ingredients hidden in sauces and spices.

As Victor, the Chef of the Cuisine rightly puts it, " People would definately like the taste of the cuisine with its wide similarity in Arabic and Meditterean food with Nepalese cuisine. Similarity lies in the presence of mild spice in the delicacies."

With some spices especially brought from Turkey with recipe tagging along, cooks are eager to please the Royal Palate showcasing the soups, Pilaf, Borek, Kofte, Dolma and Mezes. "Turkish Delights" as the festival goes, is the well known sweet associated with Turkish Cuisine.

As Istanbul, known for the rich program of light entertainment, splendid entertainment ranging from the selection of Turkish songs to belly- dancing entracned the viewers.

The world renowned singing diva Aysegul Aldinc bewitched the audience. With the back drop of mosque, cascading domes and four slender minarets highligting the noon time, the light focued on the lady dressed in black. The singing diva performed the melodious Turkish song.

Besides being a singer, Aldinc is also a reputed actress in Turkey earning many awards and accolades with her numerous and varied performances in films and television serials.

With singing, audience too caught up with the live performance of the belly dance, a new entertainment for the Nepalese eyes. With the movement of the belly, Tanyeli dressed in shimmering green and ornaments to match, enthralled the audience. Along with the belly, hands glided and the eyes danced bringing out the charishma of the artist.

The presence of the Istanbul was felt more as the young boy dressed in white and red and conical cap coinsiding with the flag of the Turkey, moved from one table to another serving the drinks. In Turkey, despite the Islamic prohibition against wine and any thing alcoholic, there is a rich tradition associated with liquor. Drinking alcoholic beverages in the company of the family and friends, both at home as well as taverns and restaurants, is a part of special occassions. Yeni Raki, the anise- flavoured national drink of Turks sometimes referred as the "lion’ milk" was also the in the menu.

As the audience clapped with excitement, the credit also goes to Navneet Nagpal, General Manager of the Hotel. With the performances held at The Mauraya Sheraton Hotel, Delhi earlier, he decided to bring them to Nepal. " A best way to showcase Turkey in Nepal and promote Nepal in Turkey with the help of the visting group of travel journalist."

Aksam is one such journalist who have come here for the first time. He has come here basically to promote the culture of Nepal. He finds the similarities not only in the food but also with the people. " Both of us are poor and modest," comes an honest answer. With the night to remember, the Turks would be remembered the most. Not to forget the Cuisine and belly dancing in specific.

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