BITLIS, 26 August 2021 – The Philippines’ culture, products, and tourism destinations were on display at the country’s exhibition tent during Turkey’s celebration of the 950th Anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert (Malazgirt Victory) held on 23–25 August 2021 in the Eastern Anatolian region’s province of Bitlis (located more than 1,000 kilometers from Ankara).

Visitors to the Philippines’ Exhibition Tent view rattan weave and capiz products, fabrics and pearls from the Philippines, and tourism destinations

Approximately 350 guests visited the country’s exhibition tent, which featured Philippine rattan-weave and capiz products, fabrics, and pearls as well as the tourism destinations of Siargao, Bohol, Boracay, and Cebu.  A Capiz chandelier installed inside the tent stood out and left the tent visitors awestruck by its beauty and elegance. Visitors to the exhibition tent included the Governor of Birlis province, the mayors of the Turkish cities of Gaziantep and Baliksehir. students from Samsun; and Bitlis TV News.

The beautiful capiz chandelier hanging from the Philippine tent

Organized by Turkey’s Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA), foreign diplomatic missions as well as provincial, municipal and city governments in Turkey participated in the event, which commemorated the victory of the Seljuk Turks over the Byzantine Empire, considered as the beginning of a permanent homeland for the Turks.

Other exhibitors were the diplomatic missions of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, the Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and Turkish local governments like Gaziantep, Baliksehir, Mardin, Sanliurfa, and Samsun.

The Embassy’s Cultural Officer Ms. Sheila Solas (center) at the Philippine booth with two metropolitan city mayors of Gaziantep and Baliksehir

Sixty (60) Ambassadors from foreign diplomatic missions likewise participated in the city tour and dinner hosted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who graced the occasion. The program also included stunning air performances by Turkish war planes, kite flying, horse drawn archeries, and traditional Turkish musical street band groups. END