EMOTİONAL MOMENTS AT THE ANTAKYA CİVİLİZATİONS CHOİR CONCERT

The Antakya Civilizations Choir concert, organized by the Eskişehir EU Information Center under ETO, garnered significant interest not only from Eskişehir but also from neighboring provinces.

As part of Europe Day, the Eskişehir EU Information Center hosted a concert featuring the Antakya Civilizations Choir, supported by the European Union Delegation to Turkey, at the Vehbi Koç Congress Center. The event attracted a large audience from Eskişehir and surrounding areas, including many citizens from the earthquake-affected regions. The 41-member choir performed beloved songs as well as hymns featuring the words of Yunus Emre, creating a deeply emotional evening for the guests.

ETO Will Continue to Support Earthquake Victims

In a brief speech following the concert, ETO President Metin Güler expressed happiness at hosting the Antakya Civilizations Choir, which is a significant cultural asset for our country and the world. He thanked choir director Yılmaz Özfırat and his entire team, while also conveying condolences for the citizens who lost their lives in the earthquake. Güler noted that approximately 30,000 earthquake victims are being hosted in Eskişehir and reaffirmed the chamber's commitment to supporting them since the very beginning of the disaster.

The Choir Also Became a Victim of the Earthquake

The Antakya Civilizations Choir, consisting of 200 volunteers representing three Abrahamic religions (Muslim, Christian, Jewish) and six different cultures (Alevi, Sunni, Orthodox, Catholic, Jewish, Armenian), lost seven of its members in the devastating earthquake that struck on February 6, 2023. The choir also lost all its costumes, musical instruments, and other materials due to the earthquake, and its members have had to relocate to different cities.

Stronger Together

Europe Day, celebrated annually on May 9 under the slogan of living in peace, unity, and solidarity, takes on a new significance this year in light of the catastrophic events of February 6, 2023. This year, it highlights "solidarity" between Europe and Turkey, embodying the spirit of “Stronger Together.”

In response to the earthquake disaster, EU member countries provided assistance to Turkey through 32 search and rescue teams, consisting of over 1,600 rescuers and 111 search dogs. Six medical teams and five field hospitals treated thousands of earthquake victims, with equipment later donated to the affected cities. In March, the European Union and members of the international community pledged over 6 billion euros to support earthquake victims in Turkey.