Introduction

Turkey was introduced as the fourth focus country of the DutchDFA programme in 2011. The first half of 2011 was characterised by research and introductory visits to and from Turkey, in preparation for of activities in the second half of 2011, and in 2012, when the Netherlands and Turkey will celebrate 400 years of diplomatic relations.

The Basic Instincts and Connecting Concepts exhibitions as well as a selection of finalists and winners of the Dutch Design Awards 2010 will travel to Istanbul, where they will be complemented by a parallel programme of commercial and intellectual exchange. A temporary Workspace in Turkey will be prepared for 2012.