Yunus's philosophy has brought cultures together at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

The opening ceremony of the EU-Turkey Intercultural Dialogue Programme, co-financed by the European Union (EU) and Turkey and pioneered by Yunus Emre Institute was held at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations on April 15, 2019.

The programme, intended to make contributions to the cultural dialogue between the EU and Turkey with funds amounting to 3 million euros, has drawn institutions from diverse countries together.

At the ceremony, Directorate for EU Affairs Financial Cooperation and Project Implementation General Director Bülent Özcan, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey Gabriel Munuera-Vinals and Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş delivered keynote speeches.

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş said: "Turkey's cultural heritage is extraordinary. Our goal is to promote this heritage in the international arena." He stressed that Yunus Emre Institute has been conducting its activities using Yunus's language for 10 years, noting that it is essential for peace and friendship to treat all nations one and equal.

Gabriel Munuera-Vinals pointed out that he believed that interaction between the communities would be improved further thanks to the projects to be implemented within the scope of the Intercultural Dialogue Programme. "The Anatolian geography is the symbol of unity within diversity," he said.

Bülent Özcan underlined the special attention is paid to intercultural dialogue. He indicated that he has closely monitored the progress of the programme since its inception and they have invested great efforts in it along with Yunus Emre Institute and the result gives motivation and enthusiasm to all parties.

Following the keynote speeches, Ambassador of Hungary to Ankara Victor Matis took the floor, drawing attention to the historical and deep-rooted dialogue between Turkey and Hungary. The Ambassador stressed that Hungary has supported and will continue to support Turkey in its EU bid at all times.

The opening ceremony was attended by the EU Delegation to Turkey, the Central Finance and Contracts Unit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union National Institutes for Culture, foreign diplomats, university representatives and civil society organizations operating in Turkey as the parties to the project.

This gathering against the historical and cultural fabric of the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations has made a positive impact on the Turkish-EU relations in the international arena.

Four international projects, funded by the Intercultural Dialogue Programme, will be implemented by the British Council, Institut Français d’Études Anatoliennes, the Hungarian Cultural Center and Institut Français in cooperation with Yunus Emre Institute. The 18-month projects will pave the way for dialogue among different cultures.