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  issue 2, year XVII, 2010

ERTUGRUL GUNAY, MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM OF TURKEY
Exclusive interview for Europe 2001 MAGAZINE
By Valentin Kostov

Page 4

H.E. MEHMET GUCUK, AMBASSADOR OF TURKEY TO BULGARIA
Exclusive interview for Europe 2001 Magazine
By Valentin Kostov

Page 6

TURKEY: A COUNTRY PROFILE

Page 8

FOREIGN POLICY OF TURKEY
By the Embassy of Turkey in Bulgaria

Page 9

Since the foundation of the Republic of Turkey its foreign policy has been based on the principle of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: "Peace at Home, Peace in the World". Turkey conducts a foreign policy that is a generator of security and stability in its region and beyond. In this context, establishing a balance between security and basic freedoms, ensuring strong cooperation with the countries in the region based on political dialogue, economic interdependence, cultural dialogue and mutual respect are among the basic principles of Turkish foreign policy.

ECONOMY OF TURKEY
By the Embassy of Turkey in Bulgaria

Page 12

The economy of Turkey is based on the principles of free market economy and on the model of export-led growth. In Turkish economy, great importance is attached to the structural reforms. During the recent years, the process of privatization was accelerated, the public financial sector was regulated, and reforms were implemented in agriculture, social security, energy and telecommunications sectors. As a result of these reforms, the institutional infrastructure was enhanced, while the economy has become more resistant to the fluctuations in world markets.
Turkey is the 16th biggest world economy with its $750 billion GDP. During the period 2002-2009, the economy of Turkey registered an average growth of 4,5%.

TROY - ASSOS - GALLIPOLI: TRACES OF LEGENDS
By the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey

Page 14

Some legends are so powerful that even when they are confronted with facts, they leave deep traces which can be felt even today. Like those of Troy, Assos and Gallipoli.
The Dardanelles are outlined by the bays and beaches of Gelibolu Peninsula (ancient Gallipoli) on the European side and by the larger Biga Peninsula on the Asian side. The Strait is the connection between the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
The area has a rich history dating back to 5000 BC. Many crucial battles and wars took place here.
In honour of the nearly 500,000 soldiers who died during the Battle of Dardanelles during the World War I in 1915, today Gelibolu is turned into a museum. It includes memorials, graveyards and monuments of all the fallen soldiers, without any distinction of their nationality.

THE TURKISH JEWS
By Naim A. Guleryuz

Page 17

On March 31st, 1492, the Sephardic Jews were expelled from Spain by Isabella, Queen of Castile, and Fernando, King of Aragon. They were forced either to convert to Catholicism or to leave the country. The great majority left their land and property instead of abandoning their beliefs. While many countries in Europe were reluctant to accept these refugees, in the faraway Ottoman Empire, one ruler extended an immediate welcome to those persecuted Jews. He was Sultan Bayazid II.
In 1992 Turkish Jewry celebrated not only the anniversary of this gracious welcome, but also the humanitarian spirit which has characterized the whole Jewish experience in Turkey. At a time when the Ottoman Empire entered an era of great development, the Sephardic Jews, who were familiar with the arts, trade and techniques of medicine, printing, weaponry, textile, etc., contributed to their new homeland with the expertise they had acquired in the Golden Age of Spain.
During the World War II, several Turkish diplomats succeeded to save the Turkish Jews in the Nazi occupied countries from the Holocaust.
The Jewish Museum of Turkey has been established by the Quincentennial Foundation in the former Zulfaris Synagogue in Istanbul. It aims to promote the story of 700 years of amity between Turks and Jews, beginning with the Ottoman conquest of Bursa in1326 and to show how the two cultures influenced each other during the past seven centuries.

RESAT NURI GUNTEKIN: A PERSONAL TOUCH
By Huseyin Mevsim

Page 20

Huseyin Mevsim tells the story of his first touch with the famous Turkish writer Resat Nuri Guntekin, as well as his further acquaintance with his works. The author of the article examines the relations between Resat Nuri Guntekin and the Bulgarian audience. In 1932, the writer met several Bulgarian teachers who were on a visit in Turkey. At that time he had already been well known in Bulgaria for his novel "The Lark". Recently Resat Nuri Guntekin has become very popular in Bulgaria with his novel "Yaprak Dokumu" ("Fall of the Leaves") on which the scenario of the popular TV series with the same name is based.

CAPPADOCIA: THE LAND OF BEAUTIFUL HORSES
By Ralitza Bazaytova

Page 22

Situated in the heart of Asia Minor, this land looks as if it has been brought out of fairytales and dreams. Wind and sun have sculptured peculiar rock formations, while humans hollowed out into them some of the oldest Christian churches and monasteries. With its odd rock pyramids and mushroom-shaped rocks, with its underground cities and rock churches, today Cappadocia is a real outdoor museum, included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO.

NEMRUT: A TRIP TO ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
By the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey

Page 25

At the spot where the Eastern and the Western civilizations meet the Nemrut Mountain is situated - one of the most amazing places in Turkey with its collection of colossal statues and meters high inscriptions, decorating the tomb and the temple of the ancient king Antiochus. They were unknown until 1881 when an Ottoman geologist found 10 meters high stone heads. The excavations started in 1953 and revealed their history. Ever since then Nemrut has turned into an attraction with thousands of people coming at sunrise and sunset to see the stones under the best light.
In 1987, Nemrut was declared a part of the World Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO. It is one of the most important national parks in Turkey, being as well the highest open-air museum in the world.

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SITES IN ISTANBUL
By Chavdar Popov

Page 29

Today’s Istanbul is unique in some aspects. Among these it can be mentioned that it is the only city in the world which lies on two continents, Europe and Asia.
A huge number of old and priceless cultural monuments create a significant part of the specific image of Istanbul. The author chooses to present only a few among numerous monuments, but surely those that are "in the front row" of the world cultural heritage.

ISTANBUL 2010: EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE
By Maria Angelova

Page 32

The selection committee that comprised of seven European experts on art and culture announced its decision on 11 April 2006 and Istanbul was declared a European Capital of Culture along with Pecs from Hungary and Essen from Germany.
With its geographical situation and cultural heritage of millenniums, Istanbul occupies a distinguished position among world metropoles. As a European Capital of Culture, Istanbul shares this rich cultural world heritage with the world during the year.
The Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture projects cover a wide spectrum of areas from Visual Arts, Music and Opera, Performing Arts, to Literature, Cinema, Urban Culture and Traditional Arts.
In addition to various projects in these areas, an important part of the Istanbul European Capital of Culture 2010 is devoted to urban transformation and seeking to protect and increase the value of the city’s cultural heritage.

ANTALYA
By the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey

Page 40

Set amidst incredible nature of sharp contrasts Antalya, the most famous Turkish resort, is a pleasant city with shady, palm-fringed boulevards and a first-class seaport. Here the sun shines 300 days per year and turns the place into a perfect beach, swimming and water-sports spot, giving visitors perfect opportunities for cave and mountain tourism as well. In March or April, visitors can ski in the mornings and swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea in the afternoons. Many historical sites are expecting visitors among the pine and citrus forests and palm, avocado and banana plantations.

RAHMI KOC MUSEUM
By Vassil Genchev

Page 44

The Rahmi Koc Museum is the first major museum in Turkey dedicated to the history of transport, industry and communications. The magnificent buildings of the museum are situated on the shore of the historic Golden Horn, in the heart of Old Istanbul. It is a private foundation that collects, researches and preserves old technical, industrial and engineering objects. The objects, which belong to various periods, are gathered from many different countries. The museum’s collections contain thousands of elements - from gramophone needles to ships and planes. A lot of information found in the museum is used for scientific researches, education and entertainment.

THE CHURCH OF ST. STEFAN IN ISTANBUL THROUGH THE EYES OF BULGARIAN WRITERS
By Huseyin Mevsim

Page 46

In this article, Huseyin Mevsim makes a review of the works in which Bulgarian writers from the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century described the Bulgarian church in Istanbul - St. Stefan. Through tracing out different descriptions of the church in poetry and prose the author shows how it changed through the years and what a special spot it was for any Bulgarian visiting Istanbul.
CIGDEM SOYARSLAN: OPERA SINGERS ARE A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE COMPOSER AND THE AUDIENCE
Interview by Maria Angelova

Page 48

THE DANCE OF WATER WITH COLOURS: EBRU
By the Embassy of Turkey in Bulgaria

Page 50

Full of love and mood, the art of Ebru reflects the world of mysteries on water. Ebru is made by sprinkling paint on water condensed with resin and then printing the image on paper. Ebru came from Central Asia centuries ago; passing from Iran to Anatolia and by the name of "Turkish paper" it came to Europe.
Ebru is one of the most ancient decorating arts. It is known that the term "Ebru" comes from "Ab-ru", meaning "water surface" in Central-Asian Turkish dialect. It is supposed that this art originated in Turkistan in the 9th century. The oldest Ebru preserved till today is from 1554.

FAMOUS PERSONALITIES FROM TURKEY

Page 53

BURHAN DOGANCAY
RENGIM GOKMEN
FERZAN OZPETEK
SEMIH KAPLANOGLU
NIHAT ODABASI
HIDAYET TURKOGLU
KIVANC TATLITUG
"MANGA"

PHOTOATELIER PRESENTS
THE PHOTOGRAPH PARADE: ACCUSTOMED ISTANBUL

Page 57

LITART PRESENTS TURKISH POETRY
Selection and translation by Huseyin Mevsim

Page 61

BULENT ECEVIT
OZDEMIR INCE
HILMI YAVUZ
ULKU TAMER
ATAOL BEHRAMOGLU
HUSEYIN MEVSIM

ATELIER PRESENTS
NIKOLAY KARADJOV: AN OUTSTANDING EUROPEAN ARTIST
By Ognyan Stamboliev

Page 66

IVAN DODOV: THE HARMONY OF NATURE
By Dochka Kisyova-Gogova

Page 68
Translated by Maria Angelova
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