Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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

Photo: Bulgarian Society

Festival of Bulgarians and descendants of Bulgarians in Argentina to be held in Comodoro Rivadavia

The second edition of the Festival of Bulgarians and Descendants of Bulgarians in Argentina will be held on November 30 at the San Juan Bosco School in the Argentine city of Comodoro Rivadavia. “This Saturday, our beloved society will welcome..

published on 11/28/24 3:34 PM

Biennial of Illustrations opens doors for the fourth time

The fourth national Biennial of Illustrations opens today in the triangular tower of Serdica, part of the Regional Museum of History in Sofia. As during its previous editions, the biennial is not themed. “The aim is to enable the authors to..

published on 11/26/24 7:30 AM
Nicola Zambelli and Maria Makedonska

Preserving the spiritual legacy and rites of the elderly helps us rediscover our roots

“A story that is worthy of a movie” is what we often say when we hear about some incredible event or an interesting story. It is cinema that seems to help today's digitally dependent person, for whom the magical worlds of paper books..

published on 11/25/24 2:40 PM