6th Annual Dialog and Friendship Dinner, Los Angeles
The 6th Annual Dialog and Friendship Dinner on the 12th of November at Universal Hilton started at 6:15pm with a reception. Around 290 guests arrived at the Sierra Ballroom to honor not dignitaries or award someone but just to show their support for acceptance.
The video of 2009 activities summarized the Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival, Annual Dialog and Friendship Dinners in six major cities in California plus Las Vegas, Intercultural Trips to Turkey, Luncheon Forums, Interfaith Conversations, Lecture Series, Women’s League Events, Humanitarian Aids, Turkish Studies and Community Outreach followed by the promotional video of the Annual Dialog and Friendship Dinners which emphasized the ideals that lie behind the dinners.
Afterwards LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky made the keynote speech and stressed the importance of individual interaction and of saving the neighbor rather than talking big. Supervisor Yarosvlavsky went on to say that Pacifica Institute was doing its part to promote acceptance and adding its flavor to Los Angeles where it is the most diverse city in the world.
The Turkish Coffee presentation was made by George and Ugur Claire. Tey explained the history of coffee, how it reached Istanbul, then Vienna and how people use it as a pretext to socialize with each other. Mr and Mrs Claire also demonstrated a live Turkish Coffee making. At the remarks, Supervising Judge of the Superior Court Peter Espinoza thanked Pacifica Institute for having him among the guests and summarized what the Superior Court is doing for the last few years and how it is bringing service to the diverse communities of the Greater Los Angeles Area.
LA County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca added his point by saying that the philosophy of Pacifica Institute is underpinned by the ideals of Turkish intellectual and author Fethullah Gulen and the Institute is very successful to reaching out to individuals. Sheriff Baca also said that he can consider himself a graduate of the Pacifica Institute.
Retired Chief of Police from Pasadena and the incoming Director of the Community Oriented Policing Services Office in the Department of Justice, Bernard Melekian told the guests that he was very touched by visiting his grandfather’s birthplace in Turkey and the Institute is going at the right direction. Turkish Consul General Hakan Tekin commended the people of Nigde for their hospitality and remarked that he had exactly the same experience of what was told during the coffee presentation when he went to ask his wife from her family. Executive Director of Southern California Board of Rabbis Rabbi Mark Diamond summarized what the Board of Rabbis have been doing in Israel and Los Angeles.
The event came to an end at 9:20pm when over a hundred guests enjoyed the Turkish Coffee that was made in the copper pots and each guest was offered a Turkish coffee cup, delight and Turkish coffee.