Ataturk Society of America (ASA) held its 100th anniversary celebration of the Turkish Republic at the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. on October 11, 2023. The program featured unforgettable musical presentations by guest artists, as well as an Art Exhibition. ASA was honored to welcome so many of its members, and valued guests to the event.
The celebration’s highlight was the concert of the Chamber Music Orchestra directed by pianist Ayşegül Durakoğlu. ASA is grateful for Dr. Durakoglu's dedication and support in promoting the ideals of Atatürk’s political philosophy for international prosperity and peace. ASA also would like to thank Chamber Music Orchestra members, valuable musicians Soprano Lori Şen, Composer Ali Can Püskülcü, clarinetist İsmail Lumanovski, and cellist David Agia. Their music brought a delightful unique energy to the concert hall which all the guests appreciated.
The Art Exhibition featured 100 portraits and images of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, hand- painted with Turkish coffee grounds by world-renowned micro artist Hasan Kale. Special thanks to Gizem Şalcıgil White, the Turkish Coffee Lady, for her part in organizing this one of a kind exhibition.
The anniversary celebration concert program included a first time presentation of the Special commission of ASA for the Centennial Celebration, Piano and Tape on Ataturk’s Great Speech-NUTUK “Onuncudan Yuzuncuye Hep Beraber.”
“United as One: from the Tenth to Hundredth Year.” The piece was composed by Turkish-American composer Ali Can Puskulcu
ASA Executive Board member Gulgun Karamete was the Narrator of the concert program which consisted of classical pieces as well as traditional Turkish songs, tango, and jazz.