WordBulletin

The historical Belgian city of Bruges is hosting a festival on Turkish culture.

The inauguration of the "Turkish Festival" at Castle Tudor of Bruges has brought together numerous Turkish and Belgian officials as well as residents of Bruges and the Turkish community living in the region.

Speaking at the opening of the festival, Jean-Marie Bogaert from Bruges Municipality's Tourism Council said Turkey was not only a tourism heaven, but it also had a rich history.

Bogaert said Turkish-Belgian relations should be improved in a way that would contribute to the cultural and economic wealth of both countries.

Delivering a speech, Aegean city of Izmir's Deputy Governor Haluk Tuncsu noted that good relations were established between Izmir and Bruges thanks to the festival.

Expressing his will to improve these ties, Tuncsu said his city should be introduced to Belgians in a more effective way.

After speeches, a photography exhibition on the "40th anniversary of the Turkish migration" was inaugurated at Castle Tudor. Several documentaries on Turkey were screened during a reception held afterwards.

Bruges is the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located in the northwest of the country.

The historic city centre is a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO.

Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, Bruges is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of the North".

AA