Istanbul Culture And Art Foundation Presented With European Culture Award For 2003

ISTANBUL - Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation (IKSV) was presented with the ''European Culture Award for 2003'' which has been given by the European Union (EU) European Culture Forum for the last 11 years.
Releasing a statement, IKSV said on Saturday, ''the award is given by the EU European Vulture Forum to persons and institutions contributing to human rights, democracy and development of inter-cultural dialogue. The EU European Culture Forum was founded in 1992. The forum is composed of leading politicians, scientists, artists and intellectuals of Europe.''
Meanwhile, European Culture Forum Executive Board Chairman Dieter Topp sent a letter to the IKSV.
In his letter, Topp said that the IKSV had been organizing International Istanbul Festival for more than 30 years on the basis of ''inter-cultural dialogue and tolerance''.
Topp said that the IKSV had opened gates of Turkey to the world and Europe and brought western and eastern people together at the International Istanbul Festivals.
The award will be given to the IKSV at the opening ceremony of the Eighth International Istanbul Biennial in September.
(UK-MS) 20.07.2003