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Cultural and artistic activities in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, continue to reflect the long-standing friendship between Türkiye and Romania, making the cultural proximity of the two countries increasingly visible.
The second part of Anadolu Agency’s (AA) three-part feature series titled “Türkiye–Romania Friendship Bridges” focuses on the exhibition “Distant Relatives” by Romanian artist Paul Hitter, which demonstrates the growing interest in Turkish culture through art.
The exhibition features portraits inspired by Turkish history, Ottoman heritage and the colors of Anatolia, bringing together art enthusiasts while highlighting shared cultural elements between the two nations.
Speaking to AA, Mustafa Yildiz, Director of the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) Romania, stated that the institute carries out its activities in three main areas: Turkish language education, cultural and artistic events, and intercultural projects.
Yildiz emphasized that cultural closeness between Türkiye and Romania is reinforced not only through contemporary initiatives but also through historical experience. He noted that the sense of tolerance established during the Ottoman period in the region continues to be viewed positively within Romanian society.
“There are very important values of our culture here,” Yildiz said. “The policies implemented by the Ottoman Empire in this region are still admired by Romanians today. No one’s language, religion, lifestyle, place of worship, or clothing was interfered with.”
Artist Paul Hitter said his interest in Türkiye began during his art education and deepened after visiting the country. He explained that his exposure to Western European art led him to recognize the richness of Balkan and Anatolian cultural narratives, which later became a key source of inspiration for his work.
Historian and art enthusiast Eden Kurtasan described the exhibition as an artistic bridge between Romania and Türkiye, while Yunus Emre Institute course participant Roxana Zidaru, who works at Romania’s Ministry of Culture, highlighted the strong affection many Romanians feel toward Turkish culture and their efforts to promote it.
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