*The coming weeks hold great promise for Bodrum music lovers. Opening with a piano recital by Israeli pianist Daniel Gortler, the 6th Gümüşlük Music Festival gets under way on 16 July ‘08 at the Eklisia, the former chapel with excellent acoustics which hosted many art happenings over the years. The next performance is on July 18 with Ruşen Güneş (viola) and Eren Levenoğlu (piano). Our spotlight is on Gulsin Onay (in photo insert) because she not only plays in the festival but is also the artistic consultant for this event directed by Eren Levenoğlu. Performances begin at 21:30 hrs, – our next posting will give the program for next week. Also, on 19 July, the historic Bodrum amphitheater will host Zülfü Livaneli and famed soul singer Jocelyn Smith – other greats in this series of concerts known as “Turkcell’s Nights with the Stars” will be announced in future postings.
**Mugla Province in which Bodrum is situated had 55 brush and forest fires in the last two months; the Bodrum area had two that blackened the sky just last week. The lack of rain and the hot sun have turned twigs and brush into tinder so the authorities have issued a red alert. Gendarmerie patrols have confiscated grills and picnic LPG bottles from picnickers and several have been taken to court for violating the ordinance forbidding having any picnic fires in forested areas. Hotels have been asked to detail staff to observe their regions with binoculars to spot smoke. Anyone seeing any indication of a brush/forest fire starting should report it immediately to tel. no. 117.
***a) The case of the illegal Pina peninsula landfill created by the MNG company (see previous postings) refuses to be swept under the carpet. Mugla Province parliamentarian Fevzi Topuz has given the prime minister a list of questions, also observing that MNG seems preparing to start construction on the landfill. The spotlight is still on MNG and Pina. b) Turgutreis now has a ‘deniz zabita’ team, a sort of town constabulary detailed to keep order on the beaches and the sea to ensure safety of life and limb of everyone. But will they be able to do this dressed in their smart uniforms? c) Some anti-advertising vigilantes keep knocking down those huge advert panels on very tall poles which can be seen long distances and known as ‘totems’. They do blight the countryside, but they are legal – best to change the law?
