Bulgaria's gift of the stunning opera performance  "Tosca" brought Turkey on its feet during the Centenary of the Republic celebrations

The stunning opera "Tosca" from Bulgaria captivated Turkey.

The opera "Tosca" by the Sofia Opera and Ballet drew hundreds of spectators to their feet at the Kemal Atatürk Cultural Center, says BGNES special correspondent Dimitar Ruskov from Istanbul.

The seats in the magnificent hall were completely full, and the Turkish audience was captivated. Mehmet Ersoy, Turkey's Minister of Culture, was a special guest.

The cultural event was part of the "Bulgaria Greets Turkey: Happy Centenary of the Republic" tour and large-scale celebrations around the nation.

"Welcome to this momentous evening," it began. "The performance is an emotional, spiritual, and symbolic return to Atatürk's days in Sofia. This alliance is 100 years old; happy centennial of the Republic of Turkey!"

The concert was arranged by the Bulgarian Embassy in Ankara, led by H.E. Angel Cholakov, and supported by the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture.

According to Ambassador Cholakov, our country's gesture is a "emblematic and emotional greeting" to the Republic of Turkey, as well as a sign of Bulgarian-Turkish friendship.

"A spiritual and emotional journey in the footsteps of the great statesman Kemal Atatürk, who was a frequent visitor to the Bulgarian Opera Society during his stay in Bulgaria." This covenant was valid 100 years ago, and it will be valid in the future," Cholakov added.

The ensemble entered the stage after the show, holding hands, to meet the enormous audience, who responded with a standing ovation and a long standing ovation for the performers.

While serving as military attaché in Sofia between 1913 and 1915, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was a fan of Giacomo Puccini's opera Tosca.

The production is directed by Academician Plamen Kartalov (Director of the Sofia Opera and Ballet - note ed.). Sunay Muratov, who holds dual citizenship (Bulgarian and Turkish), is the conductor.

"Tosca" was also shown on November 8 in Ankara, Turkey's capital. The trip was organized by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's wife, Emine Erdogan, in partnership with the State Opera and Ballet of Turkey.

The event's revenues will be donated to those in need in Turkey's southeastern areas, following the country's February earthquakes in numerous districts. /BGNES