TURKEY

Victims of Holocaust Commemorated in Ankara

International Holocaust Victims Commemoration Ceremony was held in Ankara on Thursday, January 25th. Like last year, the event was hosted by Ankara University.
Victims of Holocaust Commemorated in Ankara

At the beginning of the ceremony, Prof. Yesim Alkaya Yener (piano) and Prof. Dr. Hasan Yener (baritone) gave a music performance. The repertoire included music composed by Jewish musicians who were imprisoned in Concentration Camps during World War II. 

The opening speech, like last year, was given by the President of Ankara University Erkan Ibis. Following Ibis’ speech, Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Secretary Ambassador Kaan Eser gave a speech followed by Turkey’s Chief Rabbi Isak Haleva’s speech. The closing speech was given by Volkan Bozkir, President of Grand National Assembly of Turkey’s Foreign Affairs Committee. 

The event ended with the candle lighting ceremony to commemorate the victims of Holocaust. 

There was also a short-film screening at the ceremony. The short film mainly consisting of recorded interviews was sponsored by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The film depicts the life of Lina Amato, a Turkish Jew who was saved by Selahattin Ulkumen, the former Turkish Ambassador in Rhodes during World War II.  Lina Amato is currently living in South Africa. 

 

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