ART, CULTURE AND AMUSEMENTS Istanbul is an international arf and cultural center. The International Arts and Cultural Festival is held each year in June and July with famous artists coming from all over the world. These performances are held mostly in the Ataturk Cultural Center. Th ose enjoying classical music can hear it at Cemal Resit Rey Hall. Operas, operettas, ballets, films, concerts, exhibitions and conferences all share the cultural palette of the city. Istanbul also has a rich program of light entertainment. Night clubs pro vide splendid entertainment throughout dinner, ranging from a selection of Turkish songs to the famous belly-dance. Alongside this are modern discos, cabaret and jazz clubs in the Taksim-Harbiye district. In Sultanahmet there is now a number of restaurant s in restored Byzantine and Ottoman buildings, which give a unique atmosphere to an evening out.

Kumkapi, with its many taverns, bars, and restaurants, is another attractive district. For many years people have been meeting in the Cicek Pasaj in the Beyoglu district for snacks and seafood specialities.

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Melih Özbek