Hear from our program participants
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To introduce myself, I would say that I've been studying calligraphy for several years, that I love to pass on my knowledge and that I look for beauty everywhere and at all times.
It was my calligraphy teacher who one day mentioned the Meetings with Masters program. She either used the right words, or I was in the right place at the right time. I also remember being very intrigued by the title of the program. I quickly made some enquiries, read the details of last year's program and asked a few questions. I immediately felt that I had to go, that my place should be in Istanbul and Bursa, discovering a world where art and spirituality would be my daily food.
Even though there were the details of the program (number of days, masters we would meet, visits to this or that place...), I was ready to learn from passionate people, at every moment.
From the very first moments in Istanbul, I realised that I hadn't chosen just any tourist program. The connection with the group members and organisers was immediate. It was as if we'd all known each other for ages! And we were all thirsty for knowledge, discovery and encounters...
Art and spirituality were present in our daily lives, from morning to night. And thanks to Emin and Ömer, the 2 masterminds behind the program, we wandered from surprise to surprise. We met some of the great masters: from calligraphy and ebru to bookbinding and miniatures. Get ready to be amazed, to learn and to see extraordinary things during the program.
A program that leaves its mark on your life. A program rich in emotion. A program unlike any other, because it has a soul.
I'd already visited Istanbul twice, but Meetings with Masters gave me the chance to discover a whole new side of the city. It was all about spirituality and looking at and for beauty. And it was everywhere!
After this impactful experience, believe me when you return home, you'll never be the same person again (if you decide to return home of course).
Nadra Ben Henda
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I live in San Francisco alongside my family and hold a background in biochemistry as both my education and profession. In recent years, I've delved into the art of Islamic Calligraphy. My passions extend to travel and hiking, and I am also an avid numismatist and philatelist.
I truly enjoyed every aspect of this year's trip. I thought the split between art and spirituality was well balanced, and we got a good amount of time to focus on each.
Introduction to Islamic art blends-calligraphy, geometric patterns and ebru art workshops were informative and fun to attend. These workshops really helped me get a complete experience on how the entire piece is created. The visit to Topkapi palace calligraphy gallery and Enderun gallery art were very inspiring as a calligraphy student as I was able to see some really exceptional and artistic pieces of work. I also thought the tour of Bursa to learn about Ottoman history was particularly valuable.
On the spirituality side, I loved the Karabasi Veli Tekke dhikr. I would recommend adding a similar event to next year's schedule, as it was a very unique experience.
This program also provided a unique opportunity to meet interesting people from very diverse backgrounds. Thank you for planning such a wonderful trip. From my vantage point the cost is very reasonable, especially considering the hotel location and that it includes transportation, museum entrance fees, and other expenses.
I look forward to attend this program again in the future.
Rizwana Shaikh
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The Meetings with Masters was fantastic!
I had never been on on a tour package before and I was hesitant to join, but from our first day in Turkey until the end of the program I was so pleased. I liked that the group was not too large and the people were all wonderful, they ended up being people that I will call friends for the rest of my life. The program itself was unique in that it was a nearly perfect balance of meeting with honored teachers of their respective arts, visiting and learning about the rich Turkish history, and going to beautiful religious/spiritual places and practices. I cannot recommend Meetings with Masters highly enough and am strongly considering joining again this year!
Vince