The Academy Rumelia-5 Project, conducted jointly by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), and the Rumelia Academy Education and Culture Association, under the auspices of the Governorate of Editor of the Republic of Turkey, has been joined by Albania for the first time, thanks to the project partnership of Yunus Emre Institute's Shkodër Branch.

Academy Rumelia Project has commenced with the opening ceremony held on Monday, July 22, with the attendance of 168 gifted people from Turkey, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Crimea, Ukraine, Gagauzia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ceremony held in Edirne Public Education Center's Mimar Kemaleddin Multi-Purpose Hall was attended by Edirne Governor Ekrem Canalp, Edirne Mayor Recep Gürkan, Turks Abroad and Related Communities President Abdullah Eren, representatives of civil society organizations and the participants from 12 countries.

The ceremony took start with the standing in silence and recital of the Turkish national anthem, followed by a sand art show by Cennet Popus, from Kosovo, and YTB President Abdullah Eren and Edirne Governor Ekrem Canalp delivered keynote speeches.

The Balkans are part of Turkey

Eren noted that there are Turks abroad and related communities around the world. "There is a phrase we often use: 'geography of hearts'. There is no counterpart to it in any foreign language, and we use it to conceptualize Turkey's foreign geography. The Balkans are really part of Turkey, and I am originally from West Thrace. My father was born and grew up in a village of Komotini. I was born in Istanbul, but we frequently visited West Thrace," he said.

Noting that Turkey has been receiving migration from the Balkans until very recently, Eren explained that they will rebuild the future of Turkey and the Balkans hand in hand. Pointing out that the YTB gives "Turkey Scholarships" for international students, Eren indicated that they have received 150,000 applications from 170 countries.

Academy Rumelia is a bridge of fraternity

In his speech, Governor Canalp drew attention to the fact that Academy Rumelia is a bridge of fraternity. "The architects and masters who built this bridge of fraternity are here. Welcome to this bridge of fraternity. Edirne is one of 81 provinces in Turkey and one of three provinces in Thrace, but we all know that Edirne does not consist only of Edirne. The inhabitants of Edirne are not responsible only for Edirne. Academy Rumelia is a repercussion of the responsibilities of the people of Edirne. Indeed, Edirne and the inhabitants of Edirne believe that Edirne is the door to the Balkans. Edirne has responsibilities toward the entire Balkans and Academy Rumelia is an extension of these responsibilities," he said.

Noting that Academy Rumelia is a project of hearts, Canalp stressed that the project was successful thanks to the people who sincerely support it.

Turkey always supports Albania

Abdussamed Dani delivered a speech, representing Yunus Emre Institute's Shkodër Branch s Albania group leader to the Academy Rumelia Project. "Turkey has always lent support to Albania and continues to do so. This project builds a bridge of hearts between two countries," he said.

The participants from Turkey, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Crimea, Ukraine, Gagauzia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina have come together in front of the Governorate of Edirne. In their traditional attire, the students paid a visit to Edirne Governor Ekrem Canalp.

Then, the entourage of the students attended the opening ceremony along with Governor Canalp and his wife Ayten Canalp at the public education center. As part of the program, 168 participants will receive training from experts in the field of literature, media and communication, visual arts, history and culture, gastronomy, drama and cinema, and music until July 30.