Sean: Hi Tora I don't like to use the term but in comparison to say, the UK and the US, but you could say Turkey is a "less developed" country. Do you think that being from a "less developed" country such as Turkey has affected your career? Do you think that maybe if you were from the US, you may be a better magician or be more famous or richer than you are because you perform in Turkey? On the other hand, do you think it has helped your career as there isn't as much "competition" as such, and therefore, as a result of your skill and hard work, you have found it easier to "climb up the ladder" to success? So basically, how do you think coming from Turkey has affected your magical career?

Tora: Dear Sean, I do not accept Turkey as a "less developed" country. Maybe you may say not in the same orientation with the UK and USA. You may find here whatever you can find there. The only missing point is the "economy" In fact that is the main point. The people can not spare much money for the entertainment. In this point of view, yes if I were in the USA I could make bigger money. Nevertheless, god knows if I could or not...But surely it would be easier to learn more if I could have world class masters around me, magic shops in the same country, video lectures etc. Even I wish I had internet connection. This can not even be a dream. I am in Turkey and you are in the UK. We chat with each other through a wire. I will not be a wise man's attitude to make assumptions and write a scenario. Sean I am happy to be myself and I am happy for being in the bunny.

Mike: With full consideration as to economic problems that you have in Turkey, what is the magic communities strength in Turkey? What I mean to say is, is there a great deal of competition in the magic community? Do you have a chapter of IBM in Turkey or any other clubs exclusive to magicians?  

Tora: Mike, It is a shame that we do not have a ring of IBM in Turkey, yet. We have two clubs in two cities.: Izmir Magic Studio and Istanbul Magic Studio. They are not so strong but at least we know that there is a crowd with us. In other words we have to act individually for the moment.

Huw:

That sounds as though the advent of the Internet must be quite important to you then! Now magicians in Turkey can have immediate contact with a large community of other magicians! (Not only in Turkey either. I live in quite a remote part of the UK. I don't often see too many other people - let alone magicians! So being a part of an online community is enormously useful). Best wishes.  

Tora: Yes Huw the internet is a big innovation for us, at least for me.

Nigel: Welcome to the "Guest Speaker" forum, Tora. I know that you have spent a huge amount of work organizing a magic convention in Turkey that took place this summer. I would love to know how this event went and what sort of feedback you got from the visitors, lecturers and visitors alike. Are there any important lessons that you have learnt from this venture, hints that you feel would be important to others who are planning a similar venture elsewhere?

Tora: Dear Nigel, I have escaped from this task but openly you made me to do this finally. Thanks for it. Let me make a resume of what had happened: on the 24 TH of AUGUST; Manipulix from Germany arrived as the early bird. He has stayed at the hotel by the pool and having a rest that day. He has met some Turkish local magicians and had a rest all day with his wife Gudrun. The Turkish magicians were making the final fine tuning with the organizations. on the 25TH oh AUGUST; Peter Loughran (the guest of Honour) from Canada, Tom Cutts from USA and Ichazod from USA had arrived with the same plane. And The people from Istanbul arrived during the afternoon hours. Manipulix had opened the first booth of the magic bazaar and followed by Izmir Magic studio's and Shan's magic Studio's booths. In the evening people also arrived from Antalya, Ankara and Austria. In the night Everybody had attended the 4th birthday party of Istanbul Magic Studio, this also acted as a meeting party. The first lecture had been planned to be by Mandrake /Mike Monroe. But unfortunately he was ill and he could not come. He had mailed his notes to Izmir and TORA did the first seminar about "Bar Magic" with his notes and on behalf of him. Late in the night the friendly chatting and close up sessions had continued till morning. Majority of the group stayed in the OBA Holiday Site, where the majority of the daily activities were held. on the 26TH of AUGUST After the breakfast The magic bazaar had opened in full, by the poolside at the open air. There were seminars: Pyro Magic by Manipulix, Card Magic by Dr.Selim Basarir and Fikret Manoglu. Everybody received the special T-shits and hats of the event which was used to get full benefit from the event. These were free of charge being the presents from IZFAS, the official organizer of the International Izmir Fair. In the afternoon With a bus supplied all the magicians were transferred to the International Fair Area. After having the packed dinners, the Amateurs Gala night was being prepared. In the meantime, there were 10 magicians on 10 different platforms from Izmir Magic Studio were performing three shows per night (This event had lasted 16 days-that is whole fair period. It was a big success) At 21.30 The Amateur Gala Night began at the Ismet Inonu Art Center with a capacity of 1000 people. TORA was the master of ceremonies and carried out the night bilingual: English-Turkish. It was sold out and a dozen of amateurs made their shows. After the Gala, All the magicians around 100 people had moved to OBA Holiday Site where close ups and chatting lasted till morning. On the 27TH AUGUST After the breakfast The magic bazaar had opened in full, by the poolside at the open air again. By the way Ichaazod sold out everything at the magic bazaar and Manipulix sold out all the deck of cards and much of his items. They have all used discounted prices, this was the secret. Tom Cutts had presented his convention issue of AM/PM to the students free of charge. Peter Loughran had sold his melt down and Torch to Dancing Cane . There were seminars: Advanced Card techniques by Istanbul Magic Studio and Izmir Magic Studio, Presentational Theory by Engin Eren. . A small trip to Shan’s magic studio had done. After the 5 o’clock tea, the transfer for the fair area done again by the busses supplied by IZFAS. At the fair area after having our meals, the Professional Gala night was held. There were nearly 25 performers and all the performances were successful. Every performer had received a prize as well as a participation letter. After returning to Oba again, the late night sessions lasted till morning. On The 28TH AUGUST This was the Cultural day of the event. With the busses supplied by IZFAS all the magicians were taken to take a tour in the Antique City of Ephesus (where one of the churches of the Apocalypse in the Bible is present), The Grotto of seven Sleepers, The Holly Territory of Cybele (mother goddess of Anatolia), The Museum of Ephesus, The official home of the House of Virgin Mary (the only Vatican approved home of Virgin Mary) and the Doll’s Museum of Turkey were visited. The lunch was done at a restaurant serving traditional Turkish Meals and it was presented by IZFAS also. For the five o’clock tea all the magicians were taken to a very authentic village remaining from the Greeks and having a typical village life. Pancakes with potato and Ayran (Turkish yogurt drink) served. Then all the magicians returned to Izmir Fair Area. It was a free night in the Fair area. Most of the magicians preferred to watch the magic shows at the fair area, performed by Izmir Magic Studio. At midnight All the magicians were transferred to OBA Holiday Site. Late night sessions had lasted till morning. On The 29TH AUGUST This was the lazy trip day. In the morning We had a breakfast in a farm at Guzelbahce among chickens, ducks, rabbits etc. Everybody had been the guest of Guzelbahce Municipality. And then the train of the municipality (A special one going like a slow track on the highway) had taken all the magicians to the municipality and we had the famous strong Turkish coffee on the municipality’s bill. After having the lunch at an authentic tent , All the magicians had gone to the beautiful holiday resort of Cesme. Those who wanted to swim took that advantage, the others made magical conversations as well as exchange of ideas at the beach. At the afternoon, All the magicians were transferred to the Fair area. After having the closing dinner there, it was a free night. At midnight all returned to the OBA Holiday site and late sessions were like a habit lasted till morning. We had made a pledge to meet next year at the same time, at the same place. We all know that it will be even more bigger next year. On The 30th AUGUST This was the farewell day. We have seen everybody off on the way. There is a new bridge of magic from here to there - every point of the world now. We are now just looking at the photos and Miss our new friends. Nevertheless, we are sure that we will see each other again. We are friends…Magical friends…. In the name of Magic TORA

Nigel: What an incredible programme - I am very impressed by the width of coverage that you have achieved. Now that the event is over, have you received any feedback from those magicians who attended as guests or as visitors?

Tora: Yes Nigel , I have had many wonderful feedbacks and did not receive even a single feed back. Let me remind it was the cheapest Magical event throughout the world.  Dear Nigel all the photos of the event are present at the address. http://de.geocities.com/turkmagic2002/Festival-photos.htm I am sure it may tell you something about the event. Best Wishes.

Nigel: I really enjoyed looking through these thumbnails. The event looks so professional and varied - how I wish I had accepted your offer to come too.

Tora: Nigel if you click on the thumbnails, the pictures become full size. For your information please.

Nigel: Tora, I know that you have crossed the globe and performed in many countries. I can appreciate that different cultures may have different expectations for magic. I know, for example, that the belief in voodoo is very strong in some South American countries. I think it is fair to say that in Great Britain, a few adults regard magic as a specialized form of children's entertainment. Have you noticed any generalizations in the beliefs or expectations from one culture to another?

Tora: Nigel you are surely the master of weird questions. I feel myself so defenseless against your questions. LOL to be honest Voodoo is not a field that I can talk. Yes it is a real form of magic-at least believed so. Nevertheless I have not met anybody who has seen it, YET. For the cultural differences of the children in perceiving magic, believe me it is more or less the same. It does not make difference as it differs in adults. Children do like magic regardless of the nationality. Because they behave natural that's all. They like colourful magic and they believe what they see. For example in the famous "what's next trick" you cover one spot and you either count it or not. But they do not if they do not see? They do not presume there is a spot under your hand.?  In fact that makes things harder sometimes. All the children like balloon animals and balloon magic, unless you burst the balloon with a "bomb" noise. In short nationality does not matter for the children but it is not the same for adults. It is different for every nationality even differs from region to region. For example an American gentleman who is invited on the stage obeys your requests, British gentlemen are much less alike. On the other hand Turks and Italians have a different kind of attitude. They try to rule you or defeat you. So you have to know this and handle the people in that manner. Please do not laugh at your guests but laugh with them .(Not for you Nigel, bur I want to remind those who read this) If you do not play against each other, but in the same team; you both the spectator and yourself will be the winners. I do not know if I could get your point of question. Best of luck.