Since 02.01.2012 a new regulation of residence for foreigners is in force. Under this new rule, tourists may stay visa-free in Turkey 90 days (beginning on the date of first entry). But the total stay within 180 days cannot exceed 90 days. Shorter stays that are falling into this period are added.

For example, you enter Turkey on 02/01/2012, this day the 180 day period starts. Within these 180 days you are allowed to spend 90 days in Turkey. Either you can spend these 90 days in a row in Turkey or choose shorter stays. That means you can enter and leave Turkey several times as long as the accumulated total stay does not exceed 90 days.

This regulation meets the requirements for obtaining a "Schengen visa visitor" in the Schengen countries within the European Union. If you want to stay longer than 90 days in Turkey, you are advised to apply for a residence permit. Especially the employment of illegal workers from Eastern European States should be avoided under this new law.

In April, it happened again. Alanya was the proud host of the annual Presidential bicycle tour. In recent years, Alanya was always the last stage of the tour; but this year Alanya could design the opening ceremony and was start of the Tour of Turkey.

25 teams with 194 riders started the race at the Red Tower of Alanya. Over several stages and days Istanbul was the target. The tour and especially the launch of the multi-day tour were broadcast live on TRT and EuroSport in 123 countries. The winner of the first stage, which led around Alanya was the Dutch Theo Bos, who won also the 8th stage in Istanbul. The winner of the race was the Bulgarian Ivailo Grabovski.

The construction of the 6th international sand sculpture exhibition in Antalya has begun. The theme of last year was Hollywood and spectacular sculptures of Batman, Matrix or Titanic could be admired. This year the show continues under the name Hollywood 2.

30 exhibitors from Britain, France, Germany, Ukraine as well as Korea and China traveled to Antalya. The sculptures were completed within 15 days; a total of 20 tons of special sand was used for this purpose.

The exhibition began on 1st of May and shows 50 sculptures on an area of 7,000 sqm. The sculptures are illuminated with LEDs, so that the exhibition will be visited in the evenings as well. This year more than 200,000 visitors are expected.

Again this year we look forward to the International Culture and Tourism Festival. It will take place this year from 26 - 29.5.2012. The main venue is the area around the harbor and the district Tophane. As every year there will be exhibitions and demonstrations of arts and crafts, folklore and even concerts.

Saturday May 26, 2012

• 15:30 Official opening ceremony
• 17:15 Opening of the exhibition areas
• 18:00 moving to the festival site
• 18:45 "The Alanya-ship in the time tunnel"
• 19:00 Opening and tour of "Talsi Department"
• 19:05 Opening and tour in the arts and crafts booths in the Rihitm-street (downtown area)
• 19:10 Tour of the arts and crafts booths at the Tophane hard grounds (behind the Red Tower)
• 19:15 Opening and tour of the department
• 19:20 folklore animation and music performances
• 19:30 Exhibition Opening: Photo shows the city of Alanya
• 21:00 DJ Dogukan MANCO / concert behind the City Council
• 22:00 Concert Ziynet Sali / concert behind the City Council

27.05. 2012 Sunday

• 14:00 Start
• 15:00 Demonstrations of the music group Trimis Latvia
• 19:30 xylem TRIO Latvian music performance / cultural
• 21:00 DJ Haluk / concert behind the Alanya Municipality
• 22:00 Gökce / concert behind the Alanya Municipality

05/27/12 Sunday, and Monday 5/28/12 & Tuesday 5/29/12

The exhibitions at the port and exhibition spaces as well as in the above activities take place in Tophane on all days of the festival:

• Arts and crafts booths at the festival site Tophane
• Photo shows the town of Alanya on the festival site at the harbor
• Exhibition: Hamam culture in Finland, Latvia, Hungary and Turkey, Red Tower, Ground Floor
• Nilgün OSMANAĞAOĞLU: Exhibition Lighting, Miniatures, harbor cultural center next to the harbor master
• ADRY DEEKENS - VAN GORP: "Tulips from Holland" exhibition of paintings, harbor cultural center next to the harbor master
• YRD.DOÇ.AYLA AKSUNGUR: AY-KIZ exhibition gallery vault near the Kızılkule cultural management

Monday 28/05/12

• 21:00 xylem TRIO Latvian musical performance on the pitch between the Red Tower and Harbour Restaurant
• 22:30 Ümit BROOM / concert behind Alanya Municipality

Tuesday 05/29/12

• 21:00 "SEMA Moritz" concert on the square between the Red Tower and Harbour Restaurant
• 22:30 "KUBAT" concert behind the Alanya Municipality