"We will kick off this annual Swiss Festival tonight," Swiss Consulate General Monika Schmutz Kirgoz said during a press meeting on Thursday in Istanbul at a presentation for the Swiss festival which is set for September next year.

The event will feature concerts, exhibitions and conferences at "Quasar Istanbul", a meta-luxury condo and commercial complex constructed by joint the Swiss-Turkish consortium Viatrans-Meydanbey.

Haydar Ozkan, Viatrans-Meydanbey CEO, said he is proud to launch the project. 

"This festival will bring artists, businesspeople and decision-makers from the two countries," Ozkan said.

Italian operatic tenor Alessandro Safina, who will perform a recital at a promotion event Thursday night, said he is very happy to be in Istanbul.

"It is most beautiful city in the world. I am happy to be a part of this project as well," he noted.