"Bulgaria greets Turkey: Happy Centenary of the Republic!" - is the motto of the gala tour of the Sofia Opera and Ballet in Ankara and Istanbul. 

The Bulgarian National Opera will present its production of "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini. The tour is under the patronage of the First Ladies of Bulgaria and Turkey, Desislava Radeva and Emine Erdogan. 

The performance will take place tonight (8 November) at the Ankara State Opera and Ballet. On 11 November, the artists will demonstrate their exquisite mastery at the Atatürk Cultural Centre in Istanbul.

The choice of the opera Tosca is linked to the figure of the visionary, reformer and friend of Bulgaria Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who, during his tenure as military attaché in Sofia (1913-1915), was actively involved in the cultural life of the Bulgarian capital and a regular spectator of the performances of the Bulgarian Opera Society. "Tosca was one of Atatürk's favourite operas, BTA recalls.

"Cultural diplomacy is one of the most powerful booster rockets of our foreign policy," said Bulgarian Ambassador to Turkey Angel Cholakov during a meeting at the BTA Press Club in Ankara dedicated to culture and education as a bridge between Bulgaria and Turkey.

In the archives of the BTA there are records of the memorable days of October and November 1923, when the foundations of the Turkish Republic were laid," said BTA General Director Kiril Valchev. He recalled that the Sofia Opera's tour to Turkey is entirely for charity, with the proceeds going to the areas affected by this year's devastating earthquakes.