November 6-7, 2010
Hermann Square, Houston City Hall

It is the fourth year of the Turkic Cultures & Children’s Festival. Hermann Square just in front of the Houston City Hall will be home to this increasingly popular event.

Turkic Cultures & Children’s Festival highlights the rich heritage of many different nations from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan together with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Indonesia, Mexico, and Japan are the guest countries this year.

This family-friendly festival is open to the public from 11:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Entrance fee for the festival is $5 only and free for kids under 7.

This year’s festival will feature demonstrations of art, movie, henna tent, folk dances, music, and gourmet food, where not only Houstonians but also Texans will get the opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savor Turkic hospitality, culture, heritage, and cuisine. It is a fun day for the whole family.

Without leaving the comfort of the Hermann Square, visitors will vividly experience Turkic Cultures together with the participants from Turkey, Turkic countries and Turkic-Americans living in the other cities of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas and Mississippi. They will be able to browse and buy souvenirs and handicrafts, find travel information, participate in activities for their families, view many authentic demonstrations and performances, sample Turkic cuisine, and do much more.

Last year, the festival hosted over 22,000 people, and this year the committee is expecting over 35,000 attendees. Previous years, the committee hosted many honorable dignitaries like Congressman Al Green, Congressman Gene Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Sheriff Adrian Garcia, Council Member Melissa Noriega, Former Kemah Mayor Bill King, Consul General of Turkey Akil Oktem, Ali Findik. Consul General of Pakistan Mohammedmian Soomro, and Vice Consul General of Turkey.

When you arrive at Herman Square, you will find thousands of people browsing through over 150 festival booths and enjoying the festival’s events on daily basis. At the festival you will be able to:

• Enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of Turkic Festival and Houston side by side;
• Delight in the amazing views of traditional Ottoman, Turkmen and Kyrgyz Tents;
• Take joy in live memorable performances of Turkic folk dances, authentic Turkic music, and the Ottoman Military Band;
• Appreciate the artistic demonstrations of water marbling, calligraphy, illuminations, and ceramic art;
• Shop for hand-made ceramics and pottery, oriental rugs, throws, bags, decorative pillows, traditional jewelry, and handicrafts;
• Appreciate the works of Turkish photographers showcasing the history and beauty of Turkey;
• Enjoy the aromas and tastes of rich Ottoman Turkish cuisine, sample gourmet food from restaurant and grocery stands, including kabobs, doner sandwiches, vegetable and meat dishes, desserts, baklava, Turkish delight, apricots, hazelnuts, and figs;
• Taste some popular Turkish culinary delights, have a slice of our unique ice cream or sip a cup of Turkish coffee;

Let your kids enjoy all sorts of activities from the shadow theater, clowns, tens of inflatable games, slides, mechanical bulls, storytelling, coloring, face painting and games to Turkish cotton candy, special Turkish waffle treats, delights, and more

The festival will be broadcast on a number of US and Turkic media channels, introducing Turkey, Turkic countries, and its culture to more than 10 million American viewers.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to savor this authentic culture and cuisine, so mark your calendars today!

This festival is organized by Raindrop Turkish House, Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians and Houston-Istanbul Sister City Association.