Event: Gala to celebrate the culture and cuisine of Turkey, while raising funds for the Minnesota International Center. The event was held at a private home in Long Lake on Saturday, June 2.
Cause: More than $200,000 was raised by 315 guests through ticket sales and the purchase of auction items such as hotel stays in and travel to Istanbul and Antakya, Turkey; dinner at the residence of the Turkish Ambassador in Washington, D.C.; sailing on the Bosphorus; and dinner with Turkish film star Nergis Ozturk. The mission of the Minnesota International Center is to bring the world to Minnesota and Minnesota to the world through a variety of international education programs and activities for Minnesotans of all ages.
Heyecanlandirici (exciting, breathtaking, stirring, electrifying, heart-warming, lively): The performance of Turkish traditional dances with modern Western techniques by Collage Dance Ensemble from Boston.
Going, Going, Gone: The highest bid of the night was $11,000 for a package for two persons of business class flights to Istanbul, 5 nights at the Radisson Blu Bosphorus and dinner with Turkish film star Nergis Ozturk.
Click on photos to see names of those pictured.
