“Academy Rumelia-5 Project”, implemented in cooperation with the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), the Governorate of Edirne and Rumelia Academy Education and Culture Association, was given start with the participation of 168 gifted students from various countries.

Students from Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Crimea, Ukraine, Gagauzia, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania and Turkey gathered in Edirne with the support of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). The students clothed in their traditional wear attended the ceremony held at Edirne Public Education Center. Students from Gagauzia gave the Governor Canalp and the President of Turks Abroad and Related Communities Abdullah Eren presents from their home countries.

BALKANS ARE PART OF TURKEY

YTB President Abdullah Eren in his speech at the ceremony stated that they carry out activities towards communities with the same descent and related communities. Underlining that there are communities with the same descent and related communities all around the world, Eren said, “There is a concept that we constantly use as ‘the geography of the heart’. This is a concept that you cannot find its equivalent in any terminology, but used in conceptualizing Turkey’s foreign policy. Balkans are really part of Turkey; my lineage goes back to Western Thrace. My father was born and raised in a village of Komotini. I was born in Istanbul, but we always traveled to Western Thrace and came back.”

Reminding that Turkey constantly received migrations from Balkans until recent times, Eren explained how they will build the future of Turkey and the Balkans together, joining hands. Stating YTB is offering “Türkiye Scholarships” to international students, Eren added that they receive 150 thousand applications from 170 countries around the world.

ACADEMY RUMELIA IS A PROJECT OF THE HEART

In his speech at the ceremony, Governor Ekrem Canalp said that the Academy Rumelia is a bridge for fraternity. Canalp said, “The artisans and the architects who built this bridge for fraternity are here. Welcome this bridge for fraternity. Edirne is one of the 81 provinces of Turkey and one of the 3 provinces in Thrace, but as we all know, Edirne is not just Edirne. And the responsibility of Edirne people is not just limited to Edirne. Academy Rumelia is a reflection of this sense of responsibility. This is because all of Edirne and the people of Edirne believe that Edirne is a gate that opens to the Balkans. Edirne has responsibilities related to all Balkan geography and Academy Rumelia-5 project is a reflection of this sense of responsibility.”

Telling that Academy Rumelia is a project of the heart, Canalp highlighted that this Project is successful since those who set their hearts on this task came together.

Within the scope of the Academy Rumelia-5 Project, 168 students will receive education until 30 July 2019 from the experts in the fields of literature, media-communication, visual arts, history-culture, gastronomy, theatre-cinema and music.