Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

The Sofia Opera House performs in Ankara on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic

Photo: Sofia Opera house

"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.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A graffiti mural created in connection with the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's NATO membership was unveiled in Blagoevgrad

 A colorful graffiti mural, created in connection with the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria's membership in NATO, was unveiled in Blagoevgrad (Southwestern Bulgaria). The street-art work can be seen at 65 Slavyanska Street. It was realized with the..

published on 11/10/24 7:10 AM
Тетяна Станева

The OKO film festival has a mission - to show Bulgarians what is happening in Ukraine

Over 100 films and various discussions on current issues await those who seek a first-hand account of events in Ukraine at the fifth edition of ОКО - International Ethnographic Film Festival. For the first time, the festival is a Ukrainian-Bulgarian..

published on 11/8/24 6:20 PM
Photo: Press office of the Palace complex in Balchik

Transylvanian Medieval Fortresses exhibition by Romanian artist Ovidiu Carpusor on display in Bulgaria's Balchik

The exhibition "The Transylvanian Medieval Fortress" by the Romanian artist Ovidiu Carpusor will be presented from November 9 to 23 in the "Quiet Nest" gallery of the Palace Architectural Park Complex in the town of Balchik , on Bulgaria's Northern Black..

published on 11/8/24 3:05 PM