Greetings, fellow EUROAVIAns! Hosting EUROAVIAns from all over Europe in our beloved city of Istanbul was an absolute pleasure. Let us reminisce about this thrilling EMEAC and Lustrum celebration, packed with unforgettable moments.
Our journey began on March 29th, 2024, as participants from all over Europe arrived in Istanbul to attend the EMEAC & Lustrum Celebration. The day ended with a warm welcome dinner, setting the perfect mood for the days ahead in anticipation of the Lustrum event. On March 30th, 2024, we gathered to celebrate EUROAVIA’s 65th anniversary! The day was packed with presentations and panel discussions with alumni to commemorate our rich history and promising future. In the evening, we took an enchanting boat trip on the Bosphorus; enjoyed a gala dinner under the starlit sky, and along the views of two continents on each side (Europe and Asia), where we created memories that will last a lifetime.
On April 30th, 2024, participants of both Lustrum and EMEAC had the chance to explore the Asian Side of the city. They tried delicious street foods in the Kadıköy district before the start of the Congress.
April 1st, 2024, marked the start of the EMEAC, which offers business meetings of great importance in shaping the future of EUROAVIA. But it was not all business! On April 3rd, we took a break from the conference halls to explore the vibrant streets and majestic landmarks of Istanbul with a city tour. We immersed in the rich tapestry of culture and history that this magnificent city has to offer.
We started our tour with The Grand Bazaar which was constructed in 1455 as one of the world’s first indoor shopping centres and explored the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul, which incorporates many landmarks from both Ottoman and Byzantine Empires. We walked through Sultanahmet Square, seeing Topkapı Palace as a grand example of Ottoman architecture.
Moving on to a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Hagia Sophia which preserved the glory of being the largest cathedral in the world for a thousand years. We then visited another architectural marvel of its time, The Blue Mosque, taking its name from the traditional Turkish tileworks decorating its walls. After finalizing our tour around the Historical Peninsula, we went to Kabataş to take a walk along the Bosphorus that separates Europe from Asia and took a glimpse to the Asian Side of Istanbul once again. Lastly, we visited the gardens of Dolmabahçe Palace; one of the greatest examples of Rococo Revival style architecture in Istanbul, which also served as the presidential residence during the first years of Turkish Republic.
In the afternoon, we returned to the university to attend the presentation of our event sponsor Istanbul Grand Airport Academy; where we were informed about the organisational structure and activities of an airport academy, also taking insight about their future projects.
After a day of exploring the city to its fullest, on April 4th, 2024, we went back to business with the presentations by our esteemed DIB candidates Elia Ghisellini and Stamatios Moriatis. After a day of heedful discussions both DIB candidates were elected as new DIB officers, and we wish them a year filled with success in their new roles.
Finally, we concluded our congress on April 5th, 2024, with the final dinner, a time to reflect on the friendships forged, knowledge shared, and experiences cherished throughout this incredible week.
As we bid farewell to all EUROAVIAns leaving our city, the only words left to say were how grateful we felt. We wholeheartedly thank all who participated and contributed to making this congress a resounding success. See you around Europe!
AS Istanbul