By: Cecilia E.L. Mendy
The Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye, in partnership with the Yunus Emre Institute, on Friday hosted an International Poetry Evening for Peace at the Yunus Emre Institute in Kololi.
Held under the theme “Come, Let Us Get Acquainted,” the event brought together diplomats, poets, artists and cultural enthusiasts for an evening of poetry, music and cultural exchange aimed at promoting peace, friendship and mutual understanding among nations.
Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to The Gambia, Fahri Türker Oba, described the gathering as a celebration of cultural diplomacy and dialogue, highlighting its role in strengthening relations between peoples and nations.
He noted that the Yunus Emre Institute has been operating in The Gambia for over a year and continues to promote Turkish culture and intercultural engagement.
The ambassador paid tribute to the Turkish poet and Sufi mystic Yunus Emre, whose philosophy of love, peace and tolerance, he said, remains highly relevant in today’s world.
“His philosophy of peace is something we should nurture every day, especially when we see what is happening in the world,” he said.
He thanked guests for attending and described the evening as an opportunity for cultural appreciation and exchange through poetry and music.
The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps, including representatives from Guinea-Bissau, Morocco, the European Union and China, alongside members of the honorary consular corps and other dignitaries.
In his remarks, a representative of the Yunus Emre Institute, Talip Erdogan, said the gathering reflected the institute’s mission of connecting cultures through art and literature.
He said poetry and music remain powerful tools for promoting peace and understanding among nations.
Quoting Yunus Emre, he said: “Come, let us get acquainted, let us make things easy, let us love and be loved, for this world belongs to no one forever.”
The evening featured poetry recitals by diplomats and invited guests, who presented works in their respective languages as part of the cultural exchange programme.
The Ambassador of Morocco recited a poem by Ben Ibrahim Al-Marrakshi, while the Chinese Deputy Ambassador presented one of the earliest known poems in Chinese literary history.
Gambian artist Marayam Cham also performed musical pieces, adding a local cultural touch to the evening’s programme.