The 60th Anniversary of the Türkiye - Netherlands Labor Agreement Celebrated with a Concert in Amsterdam

Many Turkish and Dutch music lovers listened to the "Turkish Music Motifs and Rhythms from Classical to Jazz" concert, organized by the Amsterdam Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) on February 24, 2024, specifically for the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Türkiye - Netherlands Workforce Agreement.

Türkiye's Ambassador to the Hague Selçuk Ünal, Amsterdam Consul General Mahmut Burak Ersoy, Germany's Amsterdam Consul General Frank Urbschat, Turkish Airlines Amsterdam Manager Şerafettin Ekici, as well as managers of the Turkish community in the Netherlands, as well as many Turkish and Dutch music lovers attended the concert.

It Contributes to the Dutch Society with Turkish Culture, Art and Music

Making a greeting speech to the participants before the concert, Ersoy stated that this year is very important in the relations between the Netherlands and Türkiye and said, "We are celebrating this year as the 100th anniversary of the Türkiye - Netherlands friendship agreement and the 60th anniversary of the Netherlands-Türkiye Labor Force Agreement." said.

Ersoy explained that Turks who came to the Netherlands contributed to the Dutch society not only with the workforce they provided here, but also with Turkish culture, art and music.

Addressing the guests after the concert, Ambassador Ünal stated that the importance of bilateral relations is increasing and that the 100th anniversary of the Türkiye - Netherlands  friendship agreement and the 60th anniversary of the Türkiye – Netherlands Labour Agreement have a special meaning.

Stating that they aim to build a bridge between cultures through music, "It is very important that we present the compositions and songs played in the concert to the Dutch and the Turkish community here by young Turkish musicians who were born and educated in the Netherlands and continue their musical career here." YEI Amsterdam Director Adil Akaltun said.

In the two-part program, which includes classical works and jazz works, the works of Turkish and foreign composers, as well as Dutch composer Theo Loevendie, who has extensive knowledge and experience in Turkish music, the works of Cemal Reşit Rey, Dave Brubeck, Özkan Manav and Umut Veysel Demirtaş also took part.