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

Vesela Raytchinova

New association of Bulgarian cultural organisation around the world to promote their activities

The Association of Bulgarian Cultural Organizations Abroad is the newest organization uniting Bulgarians around the world. 26 associations and 6 individual members are among the founders. "In Sofia we gave a start of the order..

published on 8/1/25 10:57 AM

‘The Art of Collecting Time’: The National Gallery unveils a donation from collector Gaudenz Ruf

At the height of the 'burning summer' — as author Georgi Gospodinov poetically described these sweltering days — Sofia played host to a remarkable cultural event. The exhibition, 'The Art of Collecting Time', opened at the former royal palace, which is..

published on 7/30/25 5:35 PM

Five films with Bulgarian participation will be screened at the Sarajevo Film Festival

Five productions with Bulgarian involvement will take part in the 31st edition of the Sarajevo Film Festival, which will be held from August 15 to 22. "Yugo Florida" is the feature debut of Serbian director Vladimir Tagic. The..

published on 7/24/25 11:36 AM