A few weeks ago Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) of which I am a Board Member asked me to attend the Türk Kızılayı award ceremony and iftar dinner on their behalf. I was thrilled to be asked and honored to represent my Foundation. Through the good and honorable efforts of TPF’s hard working staff primarily for its support for the Van earthquake recovery efforts, TPF was to receive a Gold Medallion at this event and I would bring it home to them.
The event was held at the Haliç Kongre Merkezi, an enchanting venue. Held along the shoreline of the Haliç , the huge veranda with the historical skyline as back drop was a sight to behold. I arrived about a half hour before the appointed time of 7:30 PM but was not alone. Throngs of well-dressed notables, actresses, businessmen and a few ordinaries like me were already checking the lay of the land while offering little resistance to the paparazzi. Since Sayın Başbakan was to hand out the awards the extent of security was a no surprise, including a patrolling police boat in the Haliç .
I reported in at the counter that was headed “Bağışçılar (Donors)” and was assigned table number 38. Once I walked out to the veranda, I thought that 38 was a pretty good number considering the 200 some odd tables adorning the
Haliç. Strolling thru the forest of tables I decided that the random numbering must be a result of all that security. Well, the place was filling up quickly so finally upon locating number 38 I settled down to absorb the splendor of the
Haliç. It’s now 7:45 PM and the food was already placed on all tables but we still had at least 30 minutes before the ramazan
topu went off. A delightful Korean couple to my right had a hard time holding back but after a number of pious chantings, the
topwas heard and the sound of knives and folks filled the cooling night air.It was not easy watching that s
u böreği lie there in-waiting but it did make me reflect on the meaning of
Ramazan. The menu was great: a meze plate of
hurma,
kaşar peyniri,
siyah and yeşil zeytin,
reçel, elma kurusu, bal and butter; a basket of
ramazan pidesi and of course
süzme mercimek Çorbası as well as the
börek. Then came
kuzu tandır (
Konya usulü)with iç pilav and
beğendi. Just when you thought you needed no more, out comes my dear favorite
fırın sütlâç with
sakızlı and
fındıklı dondurma. The extent of the meal however couldn’t outlast the length of the speeches.And just when I thought the speeches were over,
Sayın Başbakan rose from table number1 to deliver a rousing 45 minute impromptu speech (no notes or crib sheets). I was surprised to have followed most of it. The 25% I missed was because it contained a preponderance of Arabic and old Turkish words which flew well over my head and landed on the other side of the
Halic.It’s was about 10:00 PM when the award roll-call started. Each individual and company name was called and each walked the long walk to the podium; bowed while
Sayın Başbakan placed the gold medallion around each neck. A hearty hand shake to each and the next hour was a virtual “who’s who” of Turkey. Since the award call was alphabetic I (TPF) followed close behind Süreyya Ciliv of Turkcell. We all waited until the last name was called for the “photo session.” And, then the entire well-dressed mortals with their gold medallions dangling and who were patiently in-waiting started to stampede to coalesce with
Sayın Başbakan. I managed to let the tide ride me in close. See me slightly to the West of
Sayın Başbakanand directly South of Egemen Bağış.
All in all it was a great evening and I was delighted there was recognition for all the good efforts TPF has accomplished last year. We were standing with some very generous and notable firms and personalities.
From New York to the Halic and beyond.
–Nick Porcaro, TPF Board Member
