Istanbul Music Festival reorganizes postponed concert

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The canceled opening concert of the 41st Istanbul Music Festival, which was due to take place on June 4, will now take place on June 9. The organizer of the festival, the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), has sent a written statement which said: “The concert, which we have cancelled before will be taking place on June 9 at Lütfi Kirdar Congress and Exhibition center.”

Veriko Çumburidze, a 16-year-old violinist, won the highly prestigious 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Montreux last September. Veriko will be accompanied by Turkey’s best symphonic ensemble, the Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Sascha Goetzel. The concert was canceled amid the continued clashes in Istanbul and around Turkey over the proposed demolition of Taksim Gezi Park. At the opening ceremony on June 9, the Honorary Award of the festival will be presented to Güher and Süher Pekinel for their successful international career as a piano duo, the depth and perfection they achieved in music and their efforts for the training of young musicians. The Pekinels will be presented with the award today at the opening ceremony. The event will also host Güher and Süher Pekinel sisters, who will be receiving an honor award.

The festival will be held until June 29, centered on the theme of “Time and Transformation.”