Cologne Yunus Emre Enstitüsü emphasized friendship and inter-societal convergence with two concerts held in Istanbul and Cologne on the occasion of 20^th anniversary of  "Cologne-Istanbul Sister City Agreement".

The first concert organized by collaboration of Cologne Yunus Emre Institute, Üsküdar University, Goethe Institute, Cologne Major City Municipality, Istanbul Gedik University and Turkish Airlines, was hosted by Üsküdar University.

Speaking at the opening of the concert held at the Üsküdar University Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall, Üsküdar University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Sevil Atasoy said the following, "We inaugurated the first international agency of our university in Cologne last year. We launched our educational activities in Europe. This year, the 20^th anniversary of Cologne and Istanbul being sister cities is celebrated. We are proud to be hosting this night organized with the aim of strengthening  intercultural convergence even more."

Stating that Turkey's first Sufi Institute operates under Üsküdar University, Prof. Dr. Atasoy expressed that she believed this concert, bringing mystic music and classical music together, would further improve the fraternal relations between Turkey and Germany.

In the concert where Cologne Academy Music Band from Germany and La Edri Sufi Music Ensemble from Turkey performed, a repertoire featuring works by Johann Sebastian Bach as well as works of Sufi music such as "Taşıp Can Bahri Atıp Taşra Beni", "Bu Gece Yari Gördüm Şükür Elhamdülillah", "Bu Aşk Bahri Ummandır" and "Allah Allah Hüve Rabbüna" was presented.

Cologne Yunus Emre Institute declared the year 2017 as "Cologne-Istanbul Culture Year" on occasion of the 20^th anniversary of Cologne-Istanbul Sister City Agreement. Throughout the year, various cultural activities will be organized to discuss the common aspects of Cologne and Istanbul.