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

Scene from the documentary

Doc-Art-Fest to showcase Bulgarian documentary cinema in Berlin

The week of Bulgarian documentary cinema for art and creators "Doc-Art-Fest" will take place in Berlin from October 31 to November 6 this year. "Talent has no nationality, but its roots matter - it draws strength from them and returns to them,..

published on 10/27/24 11:37 AM
Photo: Humboldt University of Berlin

International conference on Bulgarian studies to take place in Berlin

On October 27 and 28, 2024, Berlin will host an international conference under the title "Bulgarian studies in the field of modern humanitarian studies". The forum will bring together prominent scientists, teachers and artists from Bulgaria and Germany...

published on 10/26/24 3:05 PM

Bulgarian film about Nessebar wins 4 awards at 3 world film festivals

The documentary film The Spiritual Mirror of Christian Nessebar produced by the Bulgarian National Television has received a total of four awards at three prestigious international film festivals in Brazil, Georgia and Portugal.   The..

published on 10/26/24 1:05 PM