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

International Mountain Film Festival to be held within the Bansko Film Fest

For the twenty-third year, the Bansko Film Fest team will take the audience to some of the most extreme corners of the world with 75 films from 39 countries . ''All of them are premieres, and for some of them, the screenings in Bansko will be..

published on 11/17/24 7:25 AM
Scene from the film

Music in the spotlight at Cinemania - the oldest film panorama in Bulgaria

The 38th edition of the Cinemania (Kinomania) Film Festival will kick off in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia tonight, November 13.  The cinematic panorama opens with the newest feature film by director Milko Lazarov, Tarika ,..

published on 11/13/24 11:47 AM

"Tarika" opens the 38th edition of Cinemania in Sofia

The 38th edition of Cinemania ( Kinomania ) starts in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. The festival opens on November 13 with a premiere of the film "Tarika". After its successes around the world and the completely..

published on 11/13/24 8:10 AM