Come and hear three talks on Türkiye.

ON THE TURKISH RUG TRAIL FROM SULTAN AHMET TO SUTANHANI
Ross Langlands, Nomadic Rug Traders, will speak on searching for rugs across Turkey: “The initial attraction was the thrill of the hunt, generally without the need for firearms! Our first big trip to Turkey was in 1975 and we were on our way back to Australia overland to establish our own business dealing in old oriental rugs. We dallied in Istanbul, our favourite city in the world, but Konya, the old Seljuk capital in Central Anatolia, was where we shopped most. Istanbul is a big city and buying in the Grand Bazaar was daunting. Konya was quieter, albeit more conservative, with smaller bazaars and traders who were invariably hospitable, trustful and trustworthy.”

EATING, SHOPPING AND TRAVELLING IN TURKEY
Frances Ergen lived in Turkey for a couple of decades and has a continuing connection with the country. After graduating from the Textile/Fashion Department of Hornsey College of Art, London, Frances worked as a textile designer in Munich and Sydney and as a freelance consultant for commercial knitwear production. She has lectured at UTS Sydney in their Textile department, and is the author of articles on Turkish Textile Techniques. Her special interests embrace traditional village textiles and ‘Oya’ Turkish needlelace.

ENCOUNTER WITH THE TOPKAPI
Christina Sumner, former Principal Curator, Design and Society, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, and an expert on textiles, will speak on the Topkapi textile collection and her experiences visiting the Palace and researching its collection. Christina’s publications include Beyond the Silk Road, Arts of Central Asia (2000) and Bright Flowers: Textiles and Ceramics of Central Asia (2004).

WHEN:  Monday, March 27 2023, 6 - 8 pm

WHERE:  Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts, 280 Pitt St, Sydney (near Town Hall Station)

COST:  TAASA members $30, non-members $40. Delicious Turkish food that will include stuffed vine leaves ‘Yaprak Sarma’ and the savoury pastry ‘Sigara Borek’ specially made by Frances will be served. 

HOW TO BOOK:  Please email Chris Manning at bookings@taasa.org.au  Please make all bookings and payment by Thursday March 23rd. No refunds.

HOW TO PREPAY

1.  By Direct Debit ("your name TURKIYE" as reference)
BSB: 012 003     Account Number: 2185 28414
Account Name:   The Asian Arts Society of Australia

2. By credit card or Paypal on this website - see booking button on top right of this page

Any profits from this event will be donated to the Red Cross for disaster relief in Türkiye and Syria.

Captions for images above right:  Spices in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul and Topkapi Palace, Istanbul