ISTANBUL - Belgian Crown Prince Philippe, Princess Mathilde and accompanying delegation attended on Sunday a reception hosted in their honor at the Sakip Sabanci Museum in Istanbul.
Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) Chairman Omer Sabanci and Turkish businessmen also participated in the reception.
Belgian Crown Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde signed the special note-book opened in honor of leading Turkish businessmen Sakip Sabanci, who passed away last month, and then visited a painting exhibition.
Prince Albert, who is today the Belgian King, was also hosted at the Atli Kosk, Sakip Sabanci's villa on the Istanbul Strait, in 1987. Prince Albert decorated Sakip Sabanci with the Royal Medal the same year.
Sakip Sabanci died at the age of 71 in Istanbul on April 10 due to cancer. Sabanci never lost his rural accent and his sense of humor and his philanthropy, endeared him to millions who called him Sakip Aga. Aga means landlord or master in Turkish. He was a passionate collector of art and his collection of paintings, statues and Ottoman calligraphy are exhibited at the longtime family villa overlooking the Istanbul Strait, which was turned into the Istanbul Sabanci Museum two years ago.
Before visiting the Sakip Sabanci Museum, Belgian Crown Prince Philippe, Princess Mathilde and Belgian businessmen had a boat tour on the Istanbul Strait.
(BRC-AÖ) 03.05.2004