Bazaar’s anniversary marked

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Tuluyhan Uğurlu

Turkey’s renowned pianist Tuluyhan Uğurlu performed a concert Dec. 25 as part of the 550th anniversary of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. The concert was accompanied by the hymns of three religions and the janissary band.

The concert, organized in the largest street of the bazaar, Kalpakçılar, with contributions of the Grand Bazaar Artisans Association, was viewed by some 2,500 people. Also during the concert, the Grand Bazaar was shown with visuals by cinevision to attendees of the event.

Representatives of three religions took part in the concert with their own hymns. Tenor Adrişan Kirkor Halaçyan performed the Christian hymn while the Yako Taragano Band performed the Jewish hymn. Hafız Aziz Mahmut also performed Sala’h.

A Janissary band, which is the world’s oldest military band, took the stage in the second part of the concert. The concert was performed by the Culture and Tourism Ministry Janissary Band.
In the last part of the concert, Uğurlu performed parts from his work “Istanbul Forever.”

Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world with 60 streets and 5,000 shops. It attracts between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is well known for its jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, embroidered work, spices and antique shops.

The bazaar has been an important trading center since 1461 and its labyrinth-like vaults feature two domed buildings, the first of which was constructed between 1455 and 1461 on the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.