Honda to end Turkey production after 2021

Honda has decided to end car production in Turkey following completion of the production of its current Civic Sedan model in 2021, the company said in a statement on April 8.

It said it made the decision due to electrification developments in the industry globally and the need to ensure adequate production capacity.

Operations in the automobile area that include vehicle imports and distribution would continue, Honda said, adding that its motorcycle operations will not be impacted by this decision.

In a statement it made on Feb. 19, the Japanese carmaker had announced that it would restructure its global manufacturing network.

As part of the restructuring, it would close its Swindon vehicle manufacturing plant in the U.K. in 2021, at the end of the current model’s production lifecycle.

The statement also added that the global restructure will also involve Honda’s automobile operations in Turkey.

“The company will cease manufacturing current Civic sedan model in 2021.”

Honda Türkiye currently produces 38,000 units per year and employs 1,100 people.

According to data from the Automotive Distributors’ Association, Honda sold 3,410 vehicles in the first three months of 2019.

In 2018, the company sold 28,661 vehicles in Turkey when a total of 620,937 vehicles (passenger cars and light commercial vehicles combined) were sold.

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Kuşadası cruise port in Turkey's Aegean to host 195 cruise ships

With big companies turning their routes to Turkey again, Ege Port in the Kuşadası region of the Aegean province of Aydın, where the highest number of cruise ships anchor annually, is expected to host 195 cruise ships this year with 170,000 tourists.

Ege Port General Manager Aziz Güngör said bookings for 2020 in cruise tourism are going well, adding that it is pleasing for the industry to see that big companies have directed their routes to Turkey again.

Güngör's remarks came after the second cruise ship of the season, the Maltese-flagged Celestyal Olympia cruiser dropped anchor at Ege Port in Kuşadası with 1,540 passengers on Saturday.

In mid-February, Black Watch, which operates under a Bahamas flag, departed from the U.K.'s Southampton port carrying 550 passengers and docked at Kuşadası.

Some of the tourists on Celestyal Olympia, consisting mostly of American tourists, used the opportunity and visited archaeological sites such as the historic sites of Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary, while others preferred to shop in the downtown area of the city.

Güngör said that Celestyal Olympia would cruise 60 times and carry approximately 87,000 tourists to the province during the season. According to Güngör, 58.7 percent of cruise ships coming to Turkey last year anchored in Kuşadası.

He noted that 145 out of a total of 247 cruise ships coming to Turkey berthed at Ege Port in Kuşadası in the January-October 2018 period, adding: "We expect that more than 170,000 tourists will come to the province with 195 cruise ships in 2019. In addition, it is expected that 70,000 passengers will come with 477 ferry cruises from Greece's Samos Island."

Kuşadası is a famous holiday resort town and is situated conveniently close to major archaeological sites and the Dilek Peninsula National Park, one of Turkey's most biologically diverse areas. Kuşadası is also home to some of the region's most pristine beaches. In 2017, Kuşadası Ege Port welcomed 126 ships and 118,418 cruise passengers.

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Turkey awarded best overseas destination title in China

Turkey was awarded the Best Overseas Destination prize at the 6th Road Trip Festival 2019 held in China. The event was organized within the scope of "I Driver Ceremony" by China Self-Driving Club in Shanghai.

According to a statement by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, Kenan Ağa, the consul at the Turkish Consulate General in Shanghai, received the award on behalf of Turkey.

Since China's declaration of 2018 as its Turkey Tourism Year, a number of events to promote Turkey were organized across the Asian country and the increasing efforts to promote Turkish tourism in China have led to a great number of Chinese tourists making their way to Turkey last year.

Within the scope of the 2018 Turkey Tourism Year in China, Turkey carried out various advertising activities, introduced Turkish cuisine during a number of events and held various other cultural exhibitions, during which the country saw great interest from Chinese tourists.

The number of visitors Turkey hosts from China is a rising trend resulting from bilateral efforts, like the launch of the Turkish Tourism Year and cultural events that promote Turkey for a Chinese audience. As a result, Turkey saw the number of Chinese tourists increase by 59.38 percent to 394,000 in 2018.

As the number of Chinese tourists visiting Turkey has been on the rise again, Chinese airlines are resuming their flights to the country and new carriers are entering the Turkish market.

A Chinese airline based in the southwestern Sichuan Province, Sichuan Airlines, is expected to launch flights to Turkey from Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan. On the other hand, China Southern Airlines resumed flights again at the end of last year.

One of China's largest leisure media sources, Global Times Global Travel Weekly, presented Turkey with the Most Welcoming Destination for Chinese Families in 2018 award at a ceremony held in Beijing in December.

Global Times has been organizing the award ceremony since 2009 in an attempt to provide more choices for outbound Chinese tourists.

In the report for the award ceremony, Global Times drew attention to the increasing number of Chinese visitors to Turkey, noting Chinese visitors have developed an interest in Turkey's heritage sites, natural beauty and world-renowned cuisine.

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Winter in Turkey no longer dead season for Russians

Turkish resort towns have always been the conventional destination for Russian tourists who love enjoying the bright sunshine, golden sand and warm seas in the summer season. Now, Russians have also started to visit their number one tourist destination, Turkey, in the winter season, as well.

According to the figures of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), the number of Russians visiting Turkey recorded a 34 percent surge in January; a figure Russian market experts described as "amazing."

Expanded charter programs of tour operators for the New Year holidays in Antalya and charters on the ski resorts of Turkey were the top five destinations for Russian tourists in January. Turkey welcomed 91,720 citizens of the Russian Federation that month. Turkey's share in the Russian outgoing tourism market was 5.96 percent, the largest January figure in the last three years.

Turkey's holiday resort Antalya hosted 37,314 Russians in the first month of the year − a 75 percent increase from January 2018. More than 50,000 Russians visited Istanbul.

Russia was the top country with 5.96 million visitors last year, accounting for 15.1 percent of all foreign visitors in Turkey. Russia was followed by Germany with 4.51 million visitors. Turkey hosted 39.5 million foreign visitors last year.

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New train on Turkey's Eastern Express to accommodate tourism surge

Anew train will be put into service solely for the purpose of tourism after the Eastern Express became so popular that people trying to reach eastern Turkey by train can no longer find tickets, the culture and tourism minister said Monday.

The Eastern Express travels from the capital Ankara to eastern Kars province and became extremely popular after people started sharing photos of the scenery on social media.

Noting that it is almost impossible to find tickets for the Eastern Express, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that they will put into service a new train for tourism purposes.

The minister boarded the Eastern Express in Erzurum and headed to Kars as he told reporters that the train reveals eastern Turkey's tourism potential.

He noted that talks are being held with the Minister of Transport Cahit Turhan to organize an alternative train service on the same route, which will enable more people to travel to the east and enjoy the beauties of the region.

Highlighting that the main purpose of the Eastern Express was to provide safe and delay-free transportation services in Turkey's snow-covered east, Ersoy said that the train could easily make the region an international tourism destination.

The new train service will also aim to meet the demands and expectations of international tourists, to encourage more people to visit the region.

"Train services have serious tourism potential," the minister said, adding that Turkey will utilize this potential and fill the gap.

According to official data from State Railways, the Eastern Express carried 14,165 passengers from Ankara to Kars in the first few months of the winter last year. The seats are booked as soon as tickets go on sale and the extra wagons that are added to the express cannot cover demand. The express was on the verge of closure due to lack of interest but now has helped boost tourism in Kars.

Before the popularity of the express, the average age of passengers was 50, but now, university students are the biggest group.

Photographers and videographers are frequent passengers, as the experience provides a wealth of landscapes and vistas, especially during wintertime. For those seeking to be dazzled by a winter wonderland, January and February are ideal times for travel.

After leaving Ankara, the train makes brief stops in the eastern cities of Kırıkkale, Kayseri, Sivas, Erzincan and Erzurum before reaching Kars. At the end of the trip, passengers stretch their legs – or take a sleigh ride – on the frozen Çıldır Lake in Kars, which offers another famous photo-op.

Until a few years ago taking the 24-hour train ride for a 1,365 km (850 mile) trip – instead of a plane journey of little over an hour – would have been considered madness, despite the ridiculously cheap price.

Things changed when a group of young Turkish tourists decided to do away with speed and booked sleeping car reservations on the train. Naturally, they shared the experience on social media and from then on the train became a popular venue for fun, adventure, socializing and new experiences.

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The 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival Begins

The 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival will be held between 2 and 20 March 2019 by Izmir Foundation For Culture Arts and Education with the contribution of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.

The festival which organized in cooperation with Italien Consulate in Izmir, Istanbul Dimitrie Cantemir Romanian Cultural Center, Institut Francais Turquie Izmir, Honorary Consulate of Switzerland in Izmir, Istanbul Austrian Cultural Office and Goethe Institut Izmir, will start with the opening of the exhibition and the Ferit Odman Quartet concert on Saturday, 2 March 2019 at AASSM.

26th Izmir European Jazz Festival will bring an unforgettable jazz festival to the people of Izmir with a program including nine concerts, a jam session, an exhibition, a seminar, a movie screening and workshops.

A Deep Journey with Ferit Odman Quartet 

Ferit Odman who is a pioneer of jazz drums in Turkey, will feature the quartet arrangements from his albums “Autumn in New York” and “Nommo” at 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival Opening Concert. Ferit Odman, Engin Recepoğulları (saxophone), Ercüment Orkut (piano) and Kağan Yıldız (contrabass) will perform and take their listeners on a beautiful journey in the depths of the hard-bop world, at the AASSM Concert Hall on March 2, 2019, Saturday. Quartet, which consists of the most important jazz musicians of today, takes part in many projects together and separately, participates in concerts and festivals and continues their recording works.

The Magical Coalescence of Saxophone and Piano

The second concert of the 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival will be performed by Jazz Virtuoso Duo which consists saxophonist Gianni Oddi and the pianist Alessandro Bonanno. Oddi and Bonanno will present their world-renowned virtuosity skills in a concert to be held in cooperation with the Italian Consulate in Izmir. Jazz Virtuoso Duo, both of whom had classical education but choose to progress in jazz music, will host their audience with magical association of saxophone and piano at the AASSM Small Hall on March 4, 2019, Monday.

Classic, Interesting and Original: Irina Sarbu Band

On 7th March 2019 Thursday evening at 20.00, AASSM Small Hall audience will witness an extraordinary concert. Irina Sarbu, who is mesmerizing on stage, will present 15 years of experiences with her unique and original interpretations with Puiu Pascu (piano), Ciprian Parghel (double bass) and Tudor Parghel (drums). Irina Sarbu Band will present a special selection repertoire including jazz, ethnic jazz, samba, bossa nova, Argentinean tango, Romanian music, French music and folklore, at 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival with a collaboration with Istanbul Dimitrie Cantemir Romanian Cultural Center.

The Joy of Singing Together; Marion Rampal Trio 

Marion Rampal Trio which consists Marion Rampal (vocal), Pierre-François Blanchard (keyboard and vocal) and Anne Paceo (drums and vocals), will give a different jazz experience to audience at AASSM on Tuesday, 12 March 2019 in collaboration with the Institut Francais Turquie Izmir. Marion Rampal, who has an exceptional talent as a vocalist, is a well-known singer on European stages during her high school years. Rampal, who has a considerable reputation as a songwriter, will present a special repertoire in a wide range with her Trio.

The climax of Improvisation and Musical Interaction; Nu Bass 

Two concerts will be held at the 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival in cooperation with the Honorary Consulate of Switzerland in Izmir. Nu Bass consisting of François Lindemann (piano & el. piano & composition), Amine Mraihi (lute), Olivier Clerc (drums), Patrick Perrier (bass & double bass) and Ivor Malherbe (bass & double bass), will perform at AASSM Small Hall on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 20:00. Nu Bass, which can be defined as a unique “ethnic jazz band” regarding the instruments (piano, drums, tabla, lute and a rare combination of 2 double basses) that they involved in their music, will perform pianist François Lindemann’s special compositions created for these unique instruments. Nu Bass who has been at numerous events, are among the sought-after guests of festivals.

The representative of Young European Jazz Music; Pilgrim

Pilgrim Quintet which is the 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival’s second concert which is held in collaboration with the Honorary Consulate of Switzerland in Izmir, is one of the most exciting groups of young European jazz music. Pilgrim, founded by Zurich-based tenor saxophonist Christoph Irniger, will present their fourth album, Crosswinds, to audience in Izmir. Pilgrim which consists Christoph Irniger (tenor saxophone), Stefan Aeby (piano), Dave Gisler (guitar), Raffaele Bossard (bass) and Michi Stulz (drums), difficult to categorize, is known for creating a heavy and versatile music. This extraordinary concert will be held on March 16, 2019 at 20.00 at AASSM Small Hall.

Is the Color of Music Purple?

Simon Raab (piano), Štafpán Flagar (sax), Martin Kocián (bass) and Michał Wierzgoń (drums), who came together by chance in a jazz session in Linz, Austria, since then Purple is the Color was created. Although the music of the band is nourished by the jazz quartet tradition, it does not stay away from the unifying elements of pop and folk music and connects all of these in a modern sound system. Purple is the Color uses all the right notes to find the right flow between composition and improvisation. Festival with the collaboration of the Austrian Cultural Office in Istanbul, will enable us to meet Purple is the Color on Monday March 18, 2015 at 20.00, at AASSM.

Places and Faces: Timo Vollbrecht Fly Magic

Fly Magic, which consists of four musical improvisation artists, different musical styles and the explosive intersection of cultural diversity, will give the last concert of the 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival in the AASSM Small Hall on 19 March 2019, Tuesday at 20.00. Fly Magic which consists of Timo Vollbrecht (saxophone), Elias Stemeseder (piano & synth), Bernhard Meyer (bass) and Sebastian Merk (drums) will present their new album “Faces in Places” in their concert which cooperated with Goethe Institute Izmir. Faces in Places tells the story of Fly Magic’s encounters with 10 people they meet while on tour around the world.

AND JAZZ EVERYWHERE

The 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival will provide free side events for jazz music audience of all ages to show magic side of jazz.

17th Jazz Poster Contest Exhibition

Yiğitcan Çakar, who graduated from Dokuz Eylül University Fine Arts Faculty Graphic Design Department, won the 17th Jazz Poster Contest which organized to determine İKSEV's 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival poster. Seda Yüksel who graduated from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Department of Graphic Design, got the second place. Moreover, the third place was given to the poster of Sevda Kaçtı, a graduate student of the Graphics Department of Anadolu University. Esra Aslan whose poster “Jazz Trilogy” received the Special Jury Prize, is a student at Marmara University Fine Arts Faculty Graphic Design Department. 39 posters, which got the chance of exhibited, will be at AASSM Gallery between 2 – 20th March 2019.

Write Stuff – A Jazz Writer is Growing 

Izmir Foundation For Culture Arts and Education (İKSEV) will organize “Write Stuff” which is on jazz writing for journalism students within the scope of the 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival which will be held between 10 – 20th March 2019. Workshop will be held by Ümit Tuncağ and Sirel Ekşi.

Workshop and Jam Session with Jazz Virtuoso Duo 

Saxophonist Gianni Oddi and pianist Alessandro Bonanno, who participated in the 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival with the collaboration of the Italian Consulate in Izmir, will perform with the young jazz musicians at İKSEV on 5th and 6th March 2019. Jazz Virtuoso Duo and their students will perform Jam Session at AASSM on 6th March 2019 at 19:30.

Dance Form of Jazz: Lindy Hop

The Lindy Hop Workshop will be held at IKSEV with the cooperation of Swingin’ feet İzmir on Saturday, March 9, 2019 and will embrace all ages of dance enthusiasts. Master Hoppers will dance with those who love and want to learn this dance. The aim of this workshop is to feel the music, move our body in harmony with the music and spend a pleasant time.

Publik Market Jazz Edition

Publik Market which aims to bring together local manufacturers, craftsmen, designers, artists with communities, supporters and institutions, will held on March 9, 2019, between 13.00 - 19.30 at Edit & Chill. Publik Market, which is part of the 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival, will bring jazz music and design culture to the streets.

Yasar University Jazz Ensemble will Perform at Festival

The 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival will open its stage on Saturday, March 9, 2019 to the students of Yasar University which is the only university in Izmir to offer jazz education. Yasar University Jazz Ensemble which is conducted by Timuçin Şahin, will perform at AASSM Small Hall at 19.30.

Seminar: “Emancipation of Sound” 

The traditional seminar of the 26th İzmir European Jazz Festival will be given by Timuçin Şahin, a composer, guitarist and trainer. Şahin, who has outstanding recognition in the world jazz scene, will talk about the innovations brought by 2 sound revolutionaries to the 1950-60s. The seminar will also cover “New York School” which consists John Cage, Morton Feldman, Earle Brown and Christian Wolf, and the process of revitalizing the improvised elimination of classical western music for more than 150 years. Moreover, there will be an analytical music listening session. The seminar is open for everyone and will be held on 11th March 2019 Monday at 19.30 at İKSEV.

Nu Bass Jazz Workshop

Nu Bass participated in the festival with the cooperation of Honorary Consulate of Switzerland in Izmir. Nu Bass which consists François Lindemann (piano & el. Piano & composing), Amine Mraihi (lute), Olivier Clerc (drums), Patrick Perrier (bass & double bass), Ivor Malherbe (bass & double bass), will perform a workshop for young jazz musicians at IKSEV on Wednesday March 13, 2019 at 16.00.

Movie Screening - Michel Petrucciani

Michel Petrucciani, the most extraordinary pianist of the world jazz scene, will be remembered at the 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival in the tenth year of his death. Director Michael Radford's 2012 documentary will be screened at the Institut Francais Turquie Izmir, on March 13, 2019 at 19.30. Entrance will be free.

Pilgrim Jazz Workshop

Pilgrim, consisting of Christoph Irniger (tenor saxophone), Stefan Aeby (piano), Dave Gisler (guitar), Raffaele Bossard (bass) and Michi Stulz (drums), participated in the festival with the cooperation of Honorary Consulate of Switzerland in Izmir, will make a workshop for young jazz musicians at IKSEV on Saturday, March 16, 2019.

Timo Vollbrecht - Fly Magic Jazz Workshop

Fly Magic, which includes Timo Vollbrecht (saxophone), Elias Stemeseder (piano & synth), Bernhard Meyer (bass) and Sebastian Merk (drums), will have the last event of the festival.

Timo Vollbrecht - Fly Magic who will participate in the festival with the cooperation of Goethe Institute Izmir, will make a workshop between 10:30 - 13:00 on Thursday, March 20, 2019 at IKSEV.

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TURKEY’S REBUKE OF CHINA’S UYGHUR POLICY REVEALS LIMITS OF COOPERATION

As long as the collision between China’s agenda in Xinjiang and Pan-Turkic solidarity forms an inherent limit to Sino-Turkish cooperation, Turkey will shy away from China's Belt-and-Road initiative.

Turkey’s recent stern rebuke of China’s treatment of its Turkic Muslim, Uyghur minority constitutes a stunning policy reversal by Ankara after more than three years of accommodating Beijing’s policies in Xinjiang province. The AKP government’s belated condemnation of China’s internment camps in Xinjiang was prompted by an erroneous claim of the death in detention of a revered performer of Uyghur traditional music. The timing was also motivated by the mounting pressure ahead of Turkey’s March 31 elections from growing Turkish nationalist outrage over the Uyghurs’ plight. Ankara’s reversion to the nationalist line on Xinjiang reveals the inherent limit of Sino-Turkish cooperation, as Turkish nationalism’s core element of Pan-Turkic solidarity poses an enduring threat to Beijing’s vital interests in Xinjiang and its strategic ambitions across Turkic Central Asia. 

Background

On February 9, 2019, Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement harshly criticizing China’s policy toward the ethnically Turkic Uyghur population in China’s Xinjiang Province, reversing a three-year policy of conciliation toward Beijing on the Uyghur issue. Belatedly castigating China’s October 2017 adoption of its “Sinification of All Religions and Beliefs” policy as a program for “eliminating the ethnic, religious and cultural identities of the Uyghur Turks,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson declared, “It is no longer a secret that more than one million Uyghur Turks incurring arbitrary arrests are subjected to torture and political brainwashing in internment camps and prisons.” Decrying Beijing’s actions as a “great shame for humanity,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry officially called upon “on the international community and the secretary-general of the United Nations to take effective measures in order to bring to an end this human tragedy in Xinjiang.”

The precipitating event for the astounding policy turn-around seems to be the reported death of Abdurehim Heyit, who was imprisoned by Chinese authorities. A revered poet and performer of traditional Uyghur music, Heyit is a symbol of the struggle to preserve the Uyghur cultural heritage. A bridge between Uyghur and Turkish cultures, Heyit has a large following in Turkey, where he performed just prior to his 2017 arrest. The foreign ministry explicitly mentioned the singer by name and its sorrow over Heyit’s death. 

However, to Turkey’s embarrassment, China Radio International’s Turkish-language service released a video dated February 10, 2019, in which a man appearing to be Abdurehim Heyit speaks in the Uyghur language and states that he is in “good health.” 

In her February 11 press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chun attempted to undermine the legitimacy of Ankara’s protest over Beijing’s treatment of Xinjiang’s Uyghur population. Focusing on the erroneous claim that Heyit died in Chinese custody, she declared, “Turkey made groundless accusations against China based on the absurd lie of portraying the living as dead. This is extremely wrong and irresponsible, and we firmly oppose it.” 

The following day the Chinese government issued a travel advisory admonishing its citizens against traveling to Turkey. China’s Ankara Embassy warned Chinese residents and tourists in Turkey to “be wary and pay attention to their personal safety.” While a legitimate concern, given the past history of popular anti-Chinese violence in Turkey, including attacks on travelers from other East Asian nations mistaken for being Chinese, Beijing’s advisory targets Turkey’s tourism industry at a time when the country’s economy is fragile. While the overall impact to Turkey’s tourism will likely be small, the advisory also serves as a warning shot from Beijing that is prepared to retaliate economically for any further Turkish action.

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