Alumni and parents will join Columbia faculty experts in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 23 to 27, to explore the history, art, architecture, and culture of the city that bridges two continents.
The exclusive trip, hosted by the Columbia Alumni Association, draws on the efforts of Columbia’s new Global Center in Istanbul and the Columbia University Club of Turkey, which is led by Ilknur Aslan ’98SIPA. The trip is open to graduates of all Columbia schools and colleges.
Highlights of the long weekend will include tours with arts dean Carol Becker, art historian and Byzantine-architecture specialist Holger Klein, and sociologist and historian of Ottoman culture Karen Barkey, as well as a private introduction to Turkish classical music. Culinary pleasures will include a dinner cruise on the Bosporus, Turkish home-cooking lessons, and visits to the city’s spice market.
A Columbia Conversation with prominent Turkish alumni, moderated by Ipek Cem Taha ’93SIPA, ’93BUS, a Turkish journalist and the interim director of the Global Center, will be streamed live on the Web from the event.
