EGC 2017 — NOT Taking Place In Turkey

[Bonobo]

The following is rather the opposite of an announcement, as it revokes older announcements:

From: Kerem Karaerkek <…>
Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2016 12:52:24 +0300
To: EGF Members <…>
Cc: tgodyonetim <…>, EGF Executive <…>
Subject: [EGF-Members] 2017 EGC


Dear Go Players,

I am very sad to announce that we, the organising committee of EGC 2017 Turkey have decided to step back from organising the event. We apologise deeply to everyone who is inconvenienced or disappointed by this decision in any way. It wasn’t an easy decision to make for us and we didn’t come to it on our own. We followed the guidance and recommendations of the EGF Executive Board. EGF will shorty announce where the congress will go to. All those who payed and registered for the congress will have the right to have their money transferred to the new organisers or if they decide not to go, ask their money back.

We do not think that Turkey is dangerous to visit but apparently a significant portion of european go players have a negative perception about the safety conditions in Turkey. As a result of this perception many players will not come and this will affect everything about the congress from its budget to its quality. Also those who come will not be able to meet many of their friends from earlier congresses. Overall it seems that it would become a less than perfect congress experience for everyone.

We do hope that we will have an EGC in Turkey within a few years time.

With My best Regards

Kerem Karaerkek
President TGPA
Head of 2017 EGC Organising Committee


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[DrStraw]

Interesting, but not surprising. I am surprised it was even scheduled there in the first place. I have wanted to go back and visit Istanbul again for many years as I found it to be a fascinating place, but even before I stopped traveling I was unwilling to risk it

[sybob]

It is sad indeed that things have developed like this.
Sad as it is, I want to compliment Mr Kerem Karaerkek, President TGPA, Head of 2017 EGC Organising Committee for preparing such a statement, for such a difficult matter.
I trust the go community will overcome this setback.

[Charlie]

The new location appears to be Oberhof, Germany, which is just brilliant: I'm only a few hours away!

http://www.egc2017.eu/location/

Registration has not opened, yet.