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Türkiye’s Embassy in Bern hosted a special concert titled “From the Alps to the Bosphorus: The Sound of Friendship” to mark the 100th anniversary of the Türkiye–Switzerland Friendship Agreement.
Held at the Bern Conservatory of Music, the event gathered Türkiye’s Ambassador to Bern Sebnem Incesu, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Bern Fuad Iskenderov, Türkiye’s Consul General in Geneva Salih Bogac Guldere, Swiss Turkish Association (ITT) President Suat Sahin, and many guests.
The Borusan Quartet, Esen Kivrak, Nilay Sancar, Efdal Altun and Poyraz Baltacigil, performed during the evening, offering the audience a memorable musical experience.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Incesu expressed her pleasure at hosting attendees on such an occasion.
“Tonight, we come together to celebrate the centennial of the Turkish–Swiss Friendship Agreement. The newly founded Republic of Türkiye signed this agreement with Switzerland on Sept. 19, 1925, with hope and determination. It was one of the young republic’s first treaties and laid a solid foundation for a relationship that has continued to grow for the past 100 years,” she said.
Incesu emphasized that cultural exchange, shared principles and mutual respect form the core of this long-standing partnership.
The ambassador noted that music speaks a universal language.
“Music transcends borders, touches emotions, and brings people together in ways words alone often cannot. We hope tonight’s performance gives us a chance to reflect on our shared past, appreciate the present, and look to the future with optimism,” she added.
Incesu thanked the event sponsors and congratulated the Borusan Quartet on their 20th anniversary, expressing appreciation for their contribution to the arts.
She concluded her remarks by recalling Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s famous words underscoring the importance of culture and art: “A nation deprived of art means one of its vital veins has been cut.”
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