Istanbul, home to various civilizations to trace back to a thousands of years, is hosting the world’s best light artists. Having realized many firsts in Turkey, the Zorlu Center is turning Istanbul into a giant glittering artwork by organizing Turkey’s first light festival, which is hosting 23 works by 22 artists for 17 days. The light festival, which started on Nov. 13, will continue through Nov. 29. Bringing together the best artists of the world’s important light festivals, the Istanbul Light Festival at Zorlu Center started with a spectacular ceremony.

Mesut Pekta, Chief Executive Officer of Zorlu Property Group, stated at the opening ceremony of the festival: “The Zorlu Center has pioneered numerous colorful social and cultural activities. We are proud to be the organizer of another ‘first’ event, the Light Festival in Turkey.”

Light festivals organized in different cities around the world have been visited by millions of people.

Pekta continued: “Istanbul is going to turn into a giant glittering artwork. Our biggest dream is to turn this festival into a traditional event that will be spread out to the whole of Istanbul. I am happy to state that the Zorlu Group took ownership of this project and the Zorlu Holding and Vestel also gave support to the light festival. Refik Anadol’s artwork, which is called Liminal Room; is sponsored by the Zorlu Holding and ‘Tunnel of Love’ artwork is sponsored by Vestel. Our objective is to make the light festival continuous and contribute to the rise in the number of tourists visiting Istanbul in the upcoming years. The light festivals organized in different cities of the world host around 24-30 artworks and they are spread out across the whole city and this makes it more difficult to see all of these works. Therefore, we have achieved another first in Istanbul Light Festival by making it possible to visit all 23 works located only within the Zorlu Center. Significantly broad and different approaches to culture and art, belonging to various countries ranging from Venezuela to Korea, from the USA to Australia are coming together at the Istanbul Light Festival Zorlu Center.”

Situated in the heart of Istanbul, Turkey’s first five-function mixed-use project Zorlu Center, featuring a performing arts center, shopping mall, hotel (Raffles Istanbul Zorlu Center), office space and residences represents a total investment of over $2.5 billion dollars by Zorlu Property Group.

Rebeca Mendez, the renowned curator of the Istanbul Light Festival, stated that the festival has potential to become one of Turkey’s most important art events thanks to the festival’s innovative vision. Mendez said: “I am very happy to be the curator that organizes the Istanbul Light Festival Zorlu Center inspired by the world’s most important events with its creative and inspiring dimension, symbolic outlook and artistic, social and interactive content. This is going to be the first light festival in Istanbul. Twenty-three works of 22 artists from various countries including the USA, Australia, Venezuela, Italy, Finland, Japan, Israel, France and Lebanon are on display.” Festival director Murat Patavi said: “This is a first of its kind event for Istanbul. Artists from all around the world came to Istanbul to tell us about light, probably the purest form of art. We are going to see different forms of light for 17 days and will admire light once again.”

Kari Kola, a Finnish light artist, and WIFE performance group, which consists of three women, who presented a theatrical show through animations reflected on various objects and different costumes, performed during the opening ceremony.

French artist and designers group Groupe-Laps is participating in the festival with 170 illuminated human figures while Dutch artists Vollaers Zwart are decorating the metro tunnel with their work “Tunnel of Love” sponsored by Vestel. The famous Australian artist Amanda Parer is adding color to the festival with her giant glowing rabbits. Other participating artists and groups include the famous US sculptor Jen Lewin, the internationally famous installation artist, painter and sculptor Lita Albuquerque, PITAYA, Miroslav Struzik, TILT, Alaa Minawi, FLYNN TALBOT and STORY BOX. Renowned Turkish light artist Refik Anadol will take art lovers of Istanbul on a journey full of light with his work titled “Liminal Room” sponsored by the Zorlu Holding.

Dating back to as far as the 17th century, the most important light festivals of the world are the Lyon, Prague, New York, Berlin, Amsterdam, Portugal and Sydney Light Festivals. The Prague Light Festival was visited by 450,000 visitors in four days, the Berlin Light Festival was visited by two million people in 10 days and the Lyon Light Festival was visited by three million people in four days in the past years.

Enriched with endless culture and beautiful scenic views, Istanbul is a unique destination for GCC travelers to get away this festive season from the yearly routine. Zorlu Center allows their visitors to indulge in a luxurious experience fit for the whole family. The complex comprises of four main elements which include the Zorlu Shopping Mall, Zorlu Performing Arts center, Zorlu Park and Raffles Istanbul.

Zorlu Center will be hosting a colorful “New Year Village Festival” between Dec. 11 and 31. The festival will include an endless array of standalone shopping booths each uniquely dedicated to capturing the essence of this celebratory month.

Shopping enthusiasts can get into the holiday spirit while listening to live music performances and spoil themselves with the infinite shopping options which include a wide range of gifts such as jewelry, accessories, home ware, fashion, children’s wear and travel wear to purchase for themselves or their loved ones.

Families will have never-ending entertainment fit for all ages during the festival and can take part in multiple activities such as ice-skating and watching numerous live performances that involve a live band and acrobatic shows.

Raffles Istanbul will be looking forward to hosting their guests during the festival in Istanbul’s most exciting shopping hub. The property is directly connected to the prestigious Zorlu Center and Raffles Arcade where all guests can easily enjoy high-end local and international brands through a personalized luxury shopping experience as well as a modern-day bazaar in which fashion, fine dining and art shows are offered within one location.

For those who travel during New Year period to celebrate this special time of the year with loved ones, a 2- or 4-night stay in the luxury of Raffles Istanbul will include a savory New Year dinner and a New Year brunch along with many other festive season surprises.

Raffles Istanbul New Year Offer is a 2-night stay on any date between Dec. 30 and Jan. 1, including a gala dinner, a New Year brunch and open buffet breakfast for two. Rates start from: €520 + VAT per night in deluxe rooms. In a minimum 4-night stay, additional 60 minutes Pure Aromatherapy Indulgence Treatment once during the stay for two guests is included. Rates for the 4-night stay offer start from €500 + VAT per night.

Raffles Istanbul Zorlu Center is Istanbul’s most exciting new hotel, the perfect embodiment of the new young face of an ancient city — a beacon above the Bosphorus and an oasis of calm and cool.

At the heart of the cutting-edge Zorlu Center, Raffles is an exhilarating fusion of virtuoso architecture, dazzling interiors, inspired food and deep luxury. The hotel overlooks the Bosphorus, the Prince Islands and the historic peninsula — a stunning vantage point above the city. The rich heritage of the city is reflected in the interiors designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA). Utterly contemporary, full of texture and distinctly Turkish, the hotel is embellished with a gorgeous collection of specially-commissioned artworks.

As part of this vibrant structure at the very heart of contemporary Istanbul, Zorlu Shopping Mall brings numerous high-profile brands to Turkey for the first time ever, and combined with its ambitious gourmet and alfresco city square concept, creates exciting synergies with Zorlu Center’s other functions, including the Performing Arts Center, Raffles Istanbul Zorlu Center, residences and offices, combining them into what is unquestionably one of the most engaging and attractive shopping malls not only in Istanbul but in all of Europe.

With 191 stores, a 10,000 square meter main square, adjoined by a 12,000 square meter park square, the Zorlu Shopping Mall is a new urban destination, the centerpieces of which are its inviting squares and green spaces offering a combination of alfresco and enclosed areas.

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