The idea of founding Istanbul Modern goes back many years. Would you tell us about this arduous process?

In 1987 during the Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation's 1st International Istanbul Biennial, my father-in-law Nejat Eczacibasi mentioned that he wanted to found a museum of modern art. So the search for a place got underway. We settled on the old fez factory and undertook its restoration, but certain problems arose and we gave up on that site. But during this time the museum collection was expanded, and I studied museology in London. Two years ago when we held the 8th Biennial in the entrepôt we decided to try our luck again, and this time we succeeded. We have received tremendous support from the present government and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The deputy from Istanbul Egemen Bagis has also contributed greatly.

At the behest of Prime Minister Erdogan you held the opening on December 11th, that is, just before the December 17 EU summit.