Introduction

Message From Our Founder

Borusan, culture and the arts...

When I am asked to briefly describe Borusan, a 63-year-old organization, I always reply thusly, “We are a well-managed, customer-oriented modern Holding which is rapidly moving forward towards globalization." Having said that, Borusan can be described by another fundamental attribute, which is equally important and valuable. This is our sense of social responsibility, evident through our contribution to society via our educational and cultural programs, as well as our art events, all of which we deem indispensable in attaining our goal of helping Turkey reach the level of a contemporary civilization.

The resources we have allotted for these social responsibility projects are primarily deployed in two basic areas. First of all, we fund projects to foster national education through the Borusan Kocabıyık Foundation with the aim of helping our country meet its requirements for a qualified workforce. Secondly, we aspire to enhance Turkey’s social development through our multi-faceted culture and art project.

Towards this end, we founded Borusan Culture and Arts (BKS) in 1997 as an umbrella organization for these ventures. The Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra (BIFO), led by our Resident Conductor Gürer Aykal, which began performing a couple of years before the founding of the Borusan Culture and Arts foundation, became the backbone of BKS. In addition to our endeavors in the promulgation of classical music, we also created an extensive Music Library. Our primary goal for BIFO in the days ahead is to develop it into one of Europe’s best orchestras. In keeping with this vision, we are currently working on the feasibility of developing our own music conservatory in order to train Turkey’s future musicians. Moreover, with Istanbul’s appointment as the European Culture Capital for 2010, Borusan is doing its part to positively influence and develop the cultural life of this rapidly-growing metropolitan hub. A fine example of this is our focus on contemporary art through our “ArtCenter Istanbul” concept.

We have further strengthened our endeavors in the field of music by our agreement to be the main sponsor for the next ten years of the Istanbul Music Festival, where BIFO has been the official orchestra since 2003, as well as reactivating the Borusan Chamber Orchestra. The Istanbul Music Festival is one of the key programs of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) and Borusan’s special cooperation and relationship with this prestigious organization has greatly reinforced BIFO in the international arena, particularly in Europe.

I was initially introduced to classical music during my high school years and have always considered it one of the most valuable gems in the glorious field of music and the arts. Beyond being a wonderful tool for personal development, today I regard classical music as a high form of art that indicates a society's level of progress and fosters a civilization’s ability to join and interact appropriately with different cultures. Consequently, I consider myself to be the proudest and strongest supporter of every one of the efforts by BKS to strengthen this art form in Turkey and make it popular among all our citizens.

Respectfully yours,

Ahmet Kocabıyık
Chairman
Borusan Board of Directors