Meet the Writer- Mario Levi

Mario Levi will be with his readers in Ciragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul.

On Thursday August 13 2009, Mario Levi will read passages from his recent novel, "Where were you in the dark",

Meeting with the author will take place on 13 August 2009 Thursday, between 19.00-21.00 hours in Çırağan Palace Kempinski Palace, Mabeyn Hall.

Participation is free of charge; Please make your reservation earlier to participate. Call 0212 245 44 06

Leonard Cohen in Istanbul

Three hours at the top of the tower of song, by ÇETİN CEM YILMAZ, ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News, Thursday, August 6, 2009

Legendary poet/songwriter Leonard Cohen lights up Istanbul with his brilliant three-hour set at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Concert Hall. The singer heartens his 4,000 fans not only with his astounding melodies and timeless lyrics on love, politics and life, but also with his gentle, humble stage persona

Leonard Cohen is not getting older; he is only getting better.

Since the Canadian poet/songwriter ended his 15-year concert hiatus in 2008, Western critics have been hailing his comeback performances as the best of Cohen’s career. His first concert in Turkey, held Wednesday at the Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Concert Hall in Istanbul, showed that the pundits were not exaggerating.

Before showing their skills on stage, Cohen and his band proved their punctuality: It was only seconds past 9 p.m. when the band broke into the first notes of “Dance Me to the End of Love.” A popular pick for wedding ceremonies, the song stands among one of the favorite Cohen tunes of Turkish fans, but it could hardly fulfill its crowd-pleasing potential since about the quarter of the spectators were still trying to find their seats. The same went for “The Future,” “Ain’t No Cure For Love” and even the fourth song, “Bird on the Wire,” as the singer’s Turkish fans apparently did not share his punctuality.

But to give credit where it is due, once seated, the spectators did their best to become a part of the act, adding extra rhythm to the songs with their handclaps and singing along so subtly that it sounded as if they were afraid of breaking a spell.

Cohen too acknowledged the fans’ participation. “Thank you for your warm and hospitable reception,” he said in his deep baritone voice. “Tonight we will give everything we have.”

This they did, not only the great songwriter himself, but his entire nine-piece group. Take the long, breathtaking solo performance by guitarist Javier Mas, for example. The musician from Barcelona, who Cohen hailed as a “virtuoso” several times, delivered an inspiring passage that lasted approximately three minutes before the band slid into the beautiful “Who By Fire.”

Mas’ solo was no exception; Cohen made way for his fellow musicians many times, refusing to see them as simply a back up band. Each of them performed a solo sometime during the three-hour set, and Cohen showed a delicate respect every time, taking off his hat and standing utterly motionless to the side of the performer.

For a music legend whose name is carved into history as a solo performer, minimizing his ego to that degree took a lot of wisdom. Cohen had that, of course. He also had many praises for his band members and was generous in giving them deserved accolades – “impeccable” and “incomparable,” to name just two.

But, of course, no matter how amazingly capable and perfectly harmonious the players were, Cohen outshined them all. With his elegant looks, gentle talk and delicate moves, he proved to be the perfect gentleman of rock and folk music. One wonders how he can knock the listener down, as in a deadly punch, with that velvet glove. In a magnificent trio of “Suzanne,” “So Long, Marianne” and “Hallelujah,” Cohen delivered some of the best-written, most heartbreaking songs of all time, and added the betrayal-themed “Famous Blue Raincoat” as one of his encores.

His catalogue was not limited to love songs, though. Cohen stung with politically charged lyrics, too, on songs including “Everybody Knows,” “The Future,” “The Partisan” and “Anthem.” The singer once famously said, when he was asked about his feelings after Sept. 11, that he had said it all before in those songs. He was right; what can be said about conflicts, wars and violence is perfectly encapsulated in their lyrics.

The 74-year-old singer also let loose his more unruly and impish side on numbers like “I’m Your Man,” which was backed by a massive sing-along by fans.

Every time the artist hailed the spectators to conclude his show, bowed out and then danced his way off the stage, he was called back again. Cohen made four encores and played for almost three hours, but even at the very end, the audience had not had enough of him.

The words this inspirational musician brought from his very own “tower of song” were as revelatory as they have been over the past four decades. After being enchanted by his lyrics and melodies through recorded materials, Turkish fans were finally honored by Cohen’s presence. For many, that was the end of the “waiting for a miracle” – a miracle that was the man himself, along with his wonderfully penned songs.

New Thermal Power Plant investment in Tekirdag Saray

Dear Energy Professional, Dear Colleagues,

Your writer is happy to learn the announcement of new thermal power plant investment in Tekirdag to utilize nearby Saray low LHV local lignite mine.

We understand that Lahmeyer Engineering Company of Germany has prepared the bankable feasibility study for the new investment project to attract foreign funding. IMC Mining Consultants are also preparing the bankable feasibility for the Saray coal mine.

Local investor has acquired 30- year concession rights for exploitation of Tekirdag Saray lignite mine reserves, comprising the sectors in EdirKoy, KucukYoncali and SefaAlan, with estimated lignite reserves of 129 million metric tons. The mine is located 150-km north west of Istanbul.

Average Humidity in the available lignite is 42%, ash is 24%, suphur is between 1.1-1.8%, LHV is between 1700-2000 kcal per kg. Coal mine average thickness is 3 meters at about 40 meters average dept.

Local reputable Turkish local company is planning to install a new thermal power plant to generate 2x 150 MWe electricity based on CFB technology and sell the generated electricity in IPP scheme. They have already received their investment license from the Local Regulatory Board, EMRA.

However EIA permission is not granted yet. Prior to their EIA application, they will be organizing "Public Information Meeting". Details are in their web site.

Your writer feels happy to get such news on new energy investments in our local energy market, provided that

- They are environmentally friendly,
- They have completed all obligations for Environmental Impact Assessment Reports,
- They receive their license from the Local Regulatory Board,
- designed by local engineering companies or in-house engineering department as much as possible,
- fabricated in the local fabrication plants as much as possible,
- installed by our local contractors,
- commissioned and supervised by our local engineering power,
- operated by our own local staff, and
- Regularly checked by our own Labor force in programmed maintenance.

Your writer sincerely feels that energy investors deserve all our support to complete those power plant investments. They deserve since they risk their own property in order to get proper "Corporate Financing" at reasonable interest rates, and payment terms.

They will be investing 480 million USD equivalent money, which is a huge sum to finance.

Hence your writer also tries to avoid them to make any technical mistakes in their power plant design, furthermore to avoid incorrect selection of the necessary equipment, wishes them to operate the plant for many years, to generate electricity which will push our economic prosperity.

After reading the Project Information in their web page, we feel that they are prepared quite good on their behalf. However there are not much project details; only already known general information is disclosed.

We learn that the output capacity is 2x150 MWe. From the video in their web site, we understand that they will install air cooled cooling system. That means they will not use much underground water. That is good for nearby ongoing agricultural activities. As a matter of fact, water is scarce at the neighboring site.

We do not know details of manufacturer for the selected steam turbine, CFB technology, cooling system, heat balance diagrams, fabrication, construction, site installation contractors, whether they are local or foreign, details of budget figures for each item, the timetable for project execution.

It is your writer's humble feeling that we should help and warn the investor not to repeat negative past examples in Antalya, Denizli, Bandirma, Amasra, Yatagan, Yenikoy, Kemerkoy, Afsin.

Foreign investor should be comfortable here that we are ready to help them. We should warn that they should not involve any corruption for speeding the public procedures, getting licenses, getting EIA approvals.

Local investor should feel comfortable that we shall be warning them in proper design, sourcing fabrication, site installation, logistics, and public approvals.

We all expect that these energy investments will bring prosperity, employment and peace to the site. Maximized manpower, maximized engineering/ fabrication/ site installation capabilities will be employed.

After brief review of the project, we feel that we need answers to the following question,

- We need to learn the origins of the basic equipment, steam turbine, CFB steam generator, condenser, cooling tower.

- What are the budget figures? When are they going to be delivered to site? How are they transported from which sea port?

- Who will be designing (CFB, CMEC China?) , who will be the fabricator , who will be the construction company for site installation?

- It is our understanding that they have not applied yet to EIA certification or to the Local regulatory board for licensing.

- There should not be any deviation of the information they will be declaring in the local information meeting and the information they will be furnishing to the public administrations.

- We would be too pleased to learn the details of CFB design, supplementary firing burners, burner management systems, emission controls. Local emission limitations are not so stringent. They should be all in compliance with EU standards.

- We shall be too pleased to learn where they will be purchasing the cooling towers, air cooling system design and equipment.

- We need to know who will be the site constructor, what is the budget figure? They should be local companies. Local labors will be at the site. If you promise to have employment for 1500 workers, and then you should avoid to bring Chinese workers.

- We need to know the project period, the importance milestones; we expect that 36-40 months could be a reasonable period.

- We need to know who will be making and paying the new 380 kV transmission and new natural gas incoming pipeline to the site.

- We need to know when the major equipment land transportation will be made; do we have sufficient roads for that transportation, which will be making the road reinforcement to enable the transportation?

- Do they have long term electricity sale agreements with TETAS?

- Do they consider any capacity extension in the long term in 10-20 years time? Do they have enough space/ land for that extension??

- Do investors consider any IGCC application in future by gasification of indigenous lignite mines based on clean coal technologies?

- Will there be any option for "BioMass Cofiring" of the Saray lignite with nearby municipality Saray, Tekirdag refuse after recycling?

- Generally we observe that after plant construction and generation of income in 3-5 years, the foreign party decides to sell her shares to the local partner and leave the project/ country. That was the case in Enron in Trakya, selling all her shares to her local partner, Steag in Sugozu. How is the long term policy of the investors in this case?

- Could Local Chamber of Mechanical Engineers organize annual technical tours for members and ME students to the site in future?

- We will be too pleased to learn if the local party will be thinking to create local engineering department to carry out necessary basic engineering in the long term.

Your writer hopes all the best, and the success to the investors in their new venture

--
Haluk Direskeneli, Prinkipo based Energy Analyst

One Day in Prinkipo

Dear Colleagues,


Your writer is in Prinkipo. Our family clan is planning to meet at Hagia Yorgi peak on Sunday. Hagia Yorgi peak is the highest point in Prinkipo island, 202 meters above sea level. It is on the second hill. The monastery is built in 19th century on top of remains a holy ruin back from 10th century. It is a holy place for all religions.


There is a ritual to climb and you should strictly follow the centuries old rules. It is 970 meters from the starting point in lower end, the merry-go-round square. Once there was a merry-go-round fun place in the 19th century, which was demolished long ago but the name still stays.


You should start with a certain pace, slow but non-stop. You should not speak, nor talk to anyone. All your failures, despair, missery, are left behind. All your failures, despair, misery, are left behind. Hope, success, happiness are at your front. Do note that future is shaped by expectations. So pray for the best.

It is 1700 steps for me from the starting point till the main gate of the monastery. It takes 15-17 minutes to climb. When you reach the upper point, take your time, change your t-shirt, bring towel and bottled water with you.


Enjoy the view, Sea of Marmara, sunrise in the morning or sunset in the evening. Light a candle in the monastery and pray to realize all your wishes. In the end you will feel relieved, comfortable, free from all your worries, family matters, global warming, financial crunch etc.





Have some time, ask tea or Turkish coffee in the nearby cafe. You may also have country lunch, green salad and kebab with young red dry local wine, or local beer. While going back, you will feel refreshed and wish to come back.


It is daily routine for me when I stay in Prinkipo close to Hristos Monastery from early May to mid- November.


Almost every morning, at the town center you will see your humble blog writer with undercover local fisherman appearence with some thick beard in High Café (Yuksek Kahve) reading his daily local newspaper Cumhuriyet while sipping Turkish coffee with no sugar... Occasionally he may be seen as trying to type a few lines for this blog on his laptop PC.


There are so many hidden and not-so hidden gems in and around Istanbul, away from the usual path. And the pureness, innocence, and beauty of the Prince Islands is definitely a gem for all Istanbulians and tourists to enjoy...


Haluk Direskeneli, Prinkipo based Energy Analyst

Turkish foreign policy - Dreams from their fathers- Economist

Jul 23rd 2009, ANKARA - Turkey’s canny foreign minister seeks to pursue delicate diplomacy all around



WHEN the official result of Iran’s contested presidential election was announced last month, Turkey was one of the first countries to congratulate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Set against the repression (and deaths) of Iranian protesters in the streets, this raised eyebrows in Europe and America. It even provoked the tired old question of whether Turkey may be turning its back on the West.

“People see only one side of this story,” complains Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey’s foreign minister, in an interview. He does not elaborate. But Turkey’s friendship with the Islamic republic has also proved useful to the West. Its behind-the-scenes mediation was instrumental in securing the recent release of British embassy staff in Tehran. And it can play both ways. Five Iranian diplomats detained by the Americans in Iraq in 2007 were freed earlier this month at Turkey’s urging.

The ease with which Turkey juggles different worlds, be they Arab or Jewish, Muslim or European, prompted Hillary Clinton to call it an “emerging global power”. Its strong relations with Israel matter to both countries, as became clear when they cooled during the invasion of Gaza in January. The Turks have just had a high-profile spat with China over its treatment of Xinjiang’s Uighurs, whom they regard as kinsmen. It was understandable that one of Barack Obama’s first presidential visits to a foreign country was to Turkey.

Some credit is due to Mr Davutoglu, who was a foreign-policy adviser to the prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for seven years before becoming foreign minister in May. This spry former academic is seen as the architect of Turkey’s soft power, which blends realpolitik with a fierce pride. A pious Muslim with a moralistic bent, Mr Davutoglu has been among the most influential foreign ministers in the history of the Turkish republic.

His approach rests on two pillars. One is to have “zero problems” with the neighbours, many of them troubled or troublesome. The other is “strategic depth”. This calls for a Turkish zone of political, economic and cultural influence, primarily among neighbours (many of them former Ottoman dominions) in the Balkans, the south Caucasus and the Middle East.

None of this detracts from Turkey’s determination to join the European Union. Rather, it enhances its appeal as a member, says Mr Davutoglu. He seems unfazed by the hostile noises from France and Germany. Both Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel are lobbying for a “privileged partnership” instead of full membership for Turkey. Mr Davutoglu suggests that they are merely playing to their respective electorates. “Instead of complaining, of being angry, we should work together,” he says. For Turkey that means reviving the flagging reform process that won it the opening of EU membership talks in 2005. Mr Davutoglu is hopeful, for example, that the Greek Orthodox seminary on the island of Halki off Istanbul will soon be reopened.

But EU diplomats say none of this will let Turkey off the hook over Cyprus. Mr Davutoglu agrees that decades-old peace talks between Turkish- and Greek-Cypriot leaders should not be open-ended. A deal really needs to be struck by the end of this year. For that to happen the EU and America must tell the Greek-Cypriots to get serious (though, as EU members already, they have little incentive to help). A settlement would avert the possible train wreck in Turkey’s relations with the EU that might otherwise come in December. In theory Turkey has until then to open air- and seaports to the Greek-Cypriots, but it refuses to do this until EU trade restrictions on Turkish-controlled north Cyprus are lifted.

Might France and Turkey’s other enemies use this as an excuse to freeze the EU membership talks altogether (eight chapters have already been suspended)? Turkish leaders like to believe that Europe needs Turkey more than Turkey needs Europe. It has become even more crucial as a potential transit route for Europe-bound natural gas from energy-rich Azerbaijan and Central Asia, as well as from Iraq (and eventually Iran). Mr Davutoglu points proudly to the recent signing of an agreement between Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria on the Nabucco pipeline that is meant to carry gas through these countries, reducing Europe’s dependence on Russia.

Yet some say that Turkey is overplaying its hand. Its energy dreams are tightly linked to its ethnic cousins in Azerbaijan. Relations between these Turkic allies took a dive in April when Turkey unveiled a draft agreement to establish diplomatic ties and reopen its border with Armenia. In a dramatic shift, Turkey even dropped its long-running precondition that Armenia must withdraw from the territories that it occupied in the 1990s after its war with Azerbaijan over the mainly Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

An infuriated Azerbaijan promptly threatened to turn to Russia. In June it signed a deal to sell gas to the Russians from 2010 onwards. So Turkey did another volte-face. Mr Erdogan declared that friendship with Armenia was no longer possible unless it withdrew from Nagorno-Karabakh. Mr Davutoglu insists that Turkey wants peace with Armenia. But one Western diplomat says that “rapprochement with Armenia is on its last legs.”

This has raised the spectre of a row with Turkey’s most powerful ally, America. Armenian-Americans want Mr Obama to honour his election pledge to insist that the massacre by Ottoman forces of more than a million of their ancestors in 1915 was genocide. In a fudge in April Mr Obama said that he had not changed his views on the matter; yet he spoke only of the Medz Yeghern (“great calamity” in Armenian). He did not want to torpedo Turkish-Armenian rapprochement by using the G-word.

Turkey’s strategic location had once again proven decisive. As American forces withdraw from Iraq, Turkey is seeking to avert a looming conflict between the Arabs and the Kurds, especially over the disputed city of Kirkuk. Turkey urged Iraq’s Sunnis not to boycott elections in 2005. Mr Davutoglu is again lobbying to ensure that all Iraqi groups take part in the parliamentary election in January 2010. “We have excellent relations with the United States at every level,” he says. And, notes a Western official, “when it comes to Turkey and Armenia, Turkey wins every time.”