Acknowledgments to the IVR Conference in Istanbul 2026

Lyrics:

In Istanbul where waters meet,
Where East and West in friendship greet,
We came with hope, we came with light,
To seek the truth with all our might.

From every corner of the earth,
Nearly eight hundred minds gave worth
To law, to justice, peace, and right,
Searching together for the light.

Among them one bright workshop shone,
The largest gathering of its own.
Twenty-six papers, side by side,
With Natural Law our faithful guide.

Across the Bosphorus we sing,
Of truth, of law, of everything.
From many lands, one grateful voice,
In wisdom's light our hearts rejoice.

Across the Bosphorus we pray,
May friendship never fade away.
One family beneath God's sky,
Our hope will never, never die.

Professors came from many lands,
With open hearts and open hands.
America and Turkey too,
Spain and Italy came in view.

Poland, Croatia, proud and strong,
Argentina joined the song.
Ecuador and Guatemala,
One great family, one ideal.

We thank the hosts with grateful hearts,
For all their kindness from the start.
With every smile and every care,
They made us feel at home while there.

Their generous welcome, warm and true,
Will always stay in our own view.
We came as strangers from afar,
We leave as faithful friends we are.

Across the Bosphorus we sing,
Of truth, of law, of everything.
From many lands, one grateful voice,
In wisdom's light our hearts rejoice.

O Istanbul, so old and bright,
Your domes still shine in golden light.
Your ancient mosques, your sacred sky,
Lift every hopeful heart on high.

We sailed along the Bosphorus wide,
With history flowing like the tide.
Where cultures, peoples, faiths embrace,
A timeless meeting full of grace.

Above all treasures we have known,
The Turkish heart has warmly shown
A love that made us all belong,
A welcome deep, a friendship strong.

Across the Bosphorus we sing,
Of truth, of law, of everything.
From many lands, one grateful voice,
In wisdom's light our hearts rejoice.

Thank you, thank you, every friend,
May peace and friendship never end.
God bless this land, so kind and true,
And bless each one we gladly knew.

God bless the friends from every shore,
Until we meet once more.
Across the Bosphorus we'll sing,
Forever one in everything.

Thank you...
Thank you, Istanbul...
May God bless you all.