The opening of the first national BTA Press Club in the Turkish capital Ankara on Thursday drew numerous guests - students, representatives of civil society organizations and the local community. The guests were unanimous that BTA's Press Club in Ankara will bring closer the Bulgarian and Turkish people. Some of the guests' impressions of the event follow below.
Prof. Dr Ayse Kayapinar:
In the first half of the 90s the Turkish community's knowledge about Bulgaria was tied mainly to the emigration campaigns. The relations between the two countries today are already spread over diverse topics. I believe that BTA, with its 125-year experience as a leading news agency at our closest neighbour, Bulgaria, and with its newly opened press club, will provide even more possibilities for familiarization and friendship between the peoples from the two countries. Good luck!
Yuksel Ozkale, President of the Balkan Immigrants Economic Research and Social Assistance Foundation:
Turkiye and Bulgaria are not only neighbours but also friends and allies. That highlights the importance of keeping an active dialogue between us. What pleases me the most is the fact that this will be a place where we can create more occasions for dialogue and communication, we can build cultural bridges between the countries. Many members of our Foundation are born here but their heritage is Bulgarian. The press club will give them the opportunity to get to know better the home country of their parents. I was impressed by the documental gallery "The Days of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Sofia". Great idea, congratulations!
Yildiz Ibrahimova, jazz singer
Music unites people. I am very pleased that thanks to BTA's national club people from Bulgaria and Turkiye will have the opportunity to get to know each other through music and art. There was a need for a club like that.
Filiz Colmekcioglu, research assistant in Bulgarian language and literature:
I hope that writers, poets and artists from Bulgaria will be regular guests at BTA's national club in Ankara. Public readings and galleries will be helpful to our students from the Bulgarian Language and Literature Department at Ankara University.
/RY/
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