By appointment of Most Worshipful Grand Master, Brother Salih Evcilerli, of the Grand Lodge of Turkey, delegation of the Grand Lodge of Serbia, led by Most Worshipful Grand Master, Brother Petar Kostic, spent three days, between 24th to 27th of September year 2009 in Istanbul.

The celebration took place due to the 100 years of light in Grand Lodge of Turkey – Centennial.

On Thursday, September 24th year 2009, welcome reception was organiyed for all the Grand Masters and representatives of regular lodges. Afterwards, a classic music concert was organized in Hagia Irene. All brothers and sisters from Turkey and guests attended the concert. It is difficult to describe by words the atmosphere in the 6th Century cathedral located within the Topcapi complex. Music program included Mozart, Shoubert and Bach, during a beautiful worm night under the cross of Byzantine oratory.

Friday, September 25th year 2009, at 11 am , in Hilton Convention Center, Ritual Session began in attendance of all the Brothers and Sisters, guests and hosts. The Lodge was not open, and the session included more then 1,500 attendees. As the customs go, Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Turkey gave a speech, stating the price and pleasure that the development of Free Masonry and its members, grew to the number of 15,000 members.

Freemasonry’s influence in the creation of modern Turkey goes back to the times of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (father of the nation). Ataturk managed, with his radical modernization process, to preserve territorial integrity at the beginning of the 20th century, after the fall of Otoman Empire.

Grand Master has stated that Freemasonry does not have a national body and that all the Regular Lodges are independent and free, and that all the Brothers are gathered by the same principles and ideals of creation of a better human until humanity. The morning event was finished by the projection of the special movie “From the Legend to our Day”. Freemasonry opens various possibilities, such as this open, that we have experienced in Istanbul.

In the city, that geographically connects Europe and Asia, we have watched a movie, directed by one of our Turkish Brothers, that tells a story from the Temple of Solomon, until today’s time.

Afternoon, on the same day, ceremony of Masonic wedding took place, between the German Brother (violin player and professor of classical music) who lives and works in Bangkok, and his wife. A lovely ceremony finished when the Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Turkey gave the newly weds a present of Golden florin.

At the end of the day, all the delegations presented themselves and gave presents. Grand Master of RGLS, Brother Petar Kostic gave the jubilee book, a CD and Koran, translated in Serbian. Other members of the delegation, sed the opportunity to see the Temple of Grand Lodge of Turkey, that consists of 11 small temples, library, museum and a beautiful restaurant, with a view over Bosporus.

On Saturday, September 26th year 2009, for Grand Masters and Representatives, there was an organized boat cruise around Bosporus, and at the evening a Gala dinner in the Hotel Four Seasons with over 500 guests.

At the celebration of 100 years of Free Masonry in Turkey attendance was taken by  the Grand Masters and Representatives from the following lodges: United Grand Lodge of England, GL of Ireland, GL of Scotland, Grand East of the Netherlands, GL of Austria, GL of Pennsylvania, GL Alpina of Switzerland, GL de Luxembourg, GL of State of Washington, GL of Greece, GL Nationale Francaise, GL of Czech Republic, GL of Finland, GL of Rio Grande do Sul, GL of State of Israel, United GL of Germany, American Canadian Grand Lodge, GL of British Freemasons in Germany, RGL of Belgium, GL of Spain, National GL of Poland, Regular GL of Italy, National GL of Romania, GL of Russia, United GL of Bulgaria, GL of Slovenia, GL of Estonia, GL of Macedonia, GL of Kingdom of Morocco, GL of Lithuania, Sovereign GL of Malta, GL of BIH, GL of Montenegro, District GL of Eastern Archipelego Malezia, National GL of Greece, Grande Orient d' Italia and GL of Ukraine.