I barely know about Turkey and to be frank, Turkey has not came across my mind at all whenever I think of an escape from my hectic work in Malaysia. The only thing I could relate to Turkey is their sweet dates. Somehow, I was proven wrong after attended the both events, namely Turkish Culinary and Cultural Week 2011 Press Conference and Gala Night on 28th October 2011 at Royale Chulan Hotel- which were full of Turkish experience.
When I entered into the room of the press conference on the 1st day, I have nothing better to describe the ambiance, which is S-E-N-S-A-T-I-O-N-A-L. The room was filled with Turkish elements from culture & art, history & culture to the most distinctive Turkish desserts.There were calligraphy art, well-known EBRU or paper marbling, blue eyes, VERY SPECIAL Turkish ice-cream, Turkish dancers whom were in their beautiful costumes and certainly their promising musicians. All of them were flown in from TURKEY specifically to promote TURKEY from 28th October to 4th November 2011.
Now you might be in puzzlement, what is blue eye about? Seriously, when I first saw blue eye, I thought it is just a decoration NOT UNTIL I was well explained by a Turkish. Blue eye is a lucky charm in Turkey.. It is the belief that it can protect them from malicious people, objects or events. The evil eye is a look that is believed by many cultures to be able to cause injury or bad luck for the person at whom it is directed for reasons of envy or dislike. The term also refers to the power attributed to certain persons of inflicting injury or bad luck by such an envious or ill-wishing look. Blue eye is designed to ward off evil eyes. Almost all households have blue eyes-they are varies in sizes, designs and different tones of blue.
Then, our eyes and ears were treated by performances of 'Mevlevi ritual dance(sema)", folk dance, rhythm show and Turkish classical music.The rhythm of the dance is really upbeating and I actually had the trigger to dance together with those high-spirited dancers out there. Well, to mellow down our excitement after the cultural shows, a video of Turkey attractions had been played for ll of us to have a better pictures of Turkey. Turkish culture has been influenced by cultures and civilizations from China to Vienna and from Russian steppes to North Africa for over four millenia. It is a country rich in culture and arts( building, fine arts ).
During the press conference, we were introduced to varieties of Turkish desserts. The most famous and MUST-TRY is definitely the BAKLAVA! Almost every Turkish told me that I need to try that! SO what is so special about BAKLAVA? First of all, it is very hard to make and the process of making it is T-E-D-D-I-O-U-S. Baklava is made either with pistachio or walnut. Turkish cuisine has a range of baklava-like desserts. It is said that Baklava is an energy booster as it contains high level of glucose.The second MUST-MUST-TRY is the ICE-cream- it isn't taste like the ordinary ice-cream we tasted before! In fact, it is so rich, dense and slightly chewy! based salep powder or cornstarch with rose water such as Dondurma (Turkish gum ice cream), dried fruit ice cream, ice cream rose petals. The milk they are using is sheep's milk. For your info, most of the Turkish have a sweet tooth.
Once I entered into the grand ballroom of the Gala Night of the Turkish Culinary and cultural Week, I was truly amazed by the traditional foods which are well presented! There were motherlode of Turkish foods which were well segmented. There was a row of vegetable dishes, a row of meats dishes and MUST have desserts. I was fully attracted to the vegetable dishes as I really miss dolma! Dolma has a special place in Turkish cuisine.Basically it i a stuffed vegetable. It can be eaten either as a meze or a main dish. It can be cooked either as a vegetable dish or meat dish. If a meat mixture is put in, it is usually served hot with yoghurt and spices such as oregano and red pepper powder with oil. My favourite is Zeytinyagli Dolma, the dolma made with vine leaves cooked with olive oil and stuffed with a rice-spice mixture. Such a type does not contain meat, is served cold and also referred to as sarma, which means "wrapping" in Turkish. It is such a good combination to be eaten with their special mashed lentils,beans and nut.
There were so many guests from Turkey and I had a great mingles and chat with them.After this event, I got to understand more about Turkey. Turkish really treasure friends and family with good accompaniment like foods, music, art and wine. One thing I learned from a truly Turkish is 'It is not what you have in your pocket to qualify yourself to enjoy life, everyone in Turkey and Mediterranean countries enjoy life to the fullest because they know they have family and friends whom will never leave them behind no matter what they are. This event is truly an eye opener for me. We drink to Turkey, to freedom and to LIFE!
I hope you could experience What i had experienced myself without going to TURKEY YET!, taste, smell and feel Turkey yourself at Royale Chulan Hotel from 28t November 2011 to 4th November 2011 between 6.30pm to 9.00pm at Warisan cafe.
I would really want to Visit Turkey and get the real and touchable experience!
And Turkey Welcomes you and me!:)
