29 November 2023, Ankara– The Philippine Embassy cordially welcomed twenty-two (22) members of the Ankara Book Society, a community of book lovers and university students in Türkiye. The group visited the Embassy to gain insights into Philippine culture, geography, and history.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Emile Josef Garcia presents a short lecture on the Philippines to the members of the Ankara Book Society. (Embassy photo)

Cultural Officer Vanesa T. Sumera presented Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, to members of the Ankara Book Society during their tour of the Sentro Rizal Ankara library. (Embassy photo)

Vice Consul Emile Josef B. Garcia and Cultural Officer Vanesa T. Sumera welcomed the Ankara Book Society during their visit. The group was taken on a tour of the Artists’ Corner, where paintings by three (3) Filipinos based in Ankara were displayed, and the Sentro Rizal library. The students were introduced to Philippine culture, history, and geography, as well as the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and his two important novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. They were also given access to a selection of books and other publications at the library.

The Ankara Book Society members showed great interest and asked many questions about the culture, history, language, and foreign policy of the Philippines, making the lecture both meaningful and engaging.

Chargé d’Affaires a.i, Minister and Consul General Juan E. Dayang Jr. hands a book “Calidad Humana: Sharing the Filipino Spirit” to Mr. Ali Atay, president of the Ankara Book Society.  (Embassy Photo).

At the end of the lecture, Chargé d’affaires a.i, Minister and Consul General Juan E. Dayang, Jr. presented the book "Calidad Humana: Sharing the Filipino Spirit" to Mr. Ali Atay, the President of the Ankara Book Society. After the lecture, the students were treated to delicious Filipino desserts - puto and kutchinta. Before leaving the Embassy, they were also given Philippine maps as souvenirs.

The Ankara Book Society members take a photo with Vice Consul Emile Josef Garcia and Cultural Officer Vanesa Sumera at Sentro Rizal Ankara. (Photo courtesy of the Ankara Book Society).

The members of Ankara Book Society pose with Vice Consul Emile Josef Garcia at the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, with the embassy seal in the background. (Embassy photo)

The Philippine Embassy in Ankara and the Ankara Book Society aim to collaborate more to promote cultural exchange between the Philippines and Türkiye.

The members of the Ankara Book Society pose in a "groupie" at the Sentro Rizal Ankara. (Embassy photo).

The Ankara Book Society is an organization established five (5) months ago and being supported by the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports. They have around 3000 member-students all over Türkiye. According to Mr. Atay, the group’s main objective is to create new and strong relationships between Turkish and foreign cultures through visiting embassies and helping embassies to teach their cultures to Turkish youth. Aside from Turkish members, there are also foreign student-members from Russia, Congo, Eritrea, Finland, USA, Korea, China, Philippines and many others. END