SOCIAL PROGRAMME

Sunday 23 May

President’s Reception & Buffet Supper

Dress: Smart Casual

The Reception will be held at around 6pm on the terrace of the Ciragan Palace, immediately following the Opening Session, which starts at 4.30pm. All delegates and partners are invited to attend both events.

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Tuesday 25 May

15:30 – Bosphorus Cruise and Dinner

Dress: Casual

See Istanbul from the Bosphorus, taking in historic sites on both the European and Asian sides. There will be an opportunity to visit the famous Rumeli Fort before dinner at the Su Ada Resturant situated on Asuada Island.

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Wednesday 26 May

19:15 – Gala Dinner: The Esma Sultana Mansion

Dress: Jacket & Tie

The Esma Sultana Mansion situated on the waterside of the Bosphorus, was originally built in 1875 by the renowned Armenian architect Sarkis Balyan. It is situated next to Ortaköy Mosque and was a wedding gift for Esma Sultana (1873–1899), the daughter of Ottoman Sultan Abdülaziz.

The mansion remained in the possession of the Ottoman dynasty until 1915. It was later used as a tobacco warehouse and then as a coal depot from 1920 until 1975, when it was destroyed by a fire. The building, was purchased in the early 1990s by The Marmara hotel chain. Following renovation work by architect Gökhan Avcioglu, the mansion was opened in 2001 as an event venue. Within the original brick exterior a steel and glass structure now forms the internal space of this beautiful building.

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