A VISIT TO ORHANGAZI - TURKEY

   At an invitation of the high school "Uretmen Ejup Topcu Anadalu"- Orhangazi and the Mayor of Orhangazi, there was an official visit to the twin town Orhangazi - Turkey by a delegation from the Municipality of Vinica and representatives from our school "Vanco Prke"- Vinica including several students in the period from 3 to 9 November 2012. 

   

The first day we were received with a warm welcome at the high school by the school principal, several teachers, the education director of Orhangazi and representatives from the Municipality of Orhangazi and the local media.

The second day we were guests to the Mayor of Orhangazi at the "Olive Festival" in the town square where a variety of activities were organized in the presence of many citizens and important personalities from the political, business and public life. 

The same day in the afternoon we visited an exhibition of handicrafts organized by the women union. After that we visited another high school in Orhangazi “Anadolu Uretmen”. At the end of the day we all had formal dinner.

The third day we attended a reception organised by the president of Orhangazi and here all of us received  gifts. Later that day we were welcomed by the kajmakan of Orhangazi with the famous Turkish tea and we were given presents of friendships and cooperation. He was invited by our mayor Mr. Emil Doncev to visit Vinica and he accepted that with great pleasure. 

Then we visited the club of the Macedonian immigrants in Orhangazi  which is located in a Macedonian neighbourhood called "Huriet". There we met the director of the Macedonian club. The director of our school gave them the Macedonian flag as a gift. In return they gave us the Turkish flag as a sign of great friendship with the Turkish people.

In this neighborhood there are about 2000 Macedonians originating from different parts of our community (Gradec, Blatec, Lipec, Peklani, Trsino). That afternoon we visited Bursa with its historical and cultural landmarks such as cannons (Топане)  and the graves of the first sultan of the Ottoman Sultans, Osman Gazi  and Orhan Gazi with their families, one of the oldest mosques in Turkey (Ulu Mosque), Kapali Bazaar, the bezisten with shops of handicrafts and the City Mall - Anatolium.

The last day of our visit to Turkey was spent in Istanbul. There we visited "Kapali Bazaar" and "Hagia Sophia".

Turkey as a country made a good impression on us. It's great when we see something different from our ordinary lives and culture. We left an indelible mark on the families where we were accommodated. We made friendships that will probably last a lifetime. The families received us splendidly, with smiles full of hospitality, and left us with hugs full of love and hope for another meeting. In the four days that we stayed there it felt like a home to us. We had so many things in common it seemed like we had known each other forever. We shared so many exciting experiences together with the host children and by that made some unforgettable memories. One of the best things we gained from this trip is the experience which is priceless. We were amazed by the cultural and historical monuments of Turkey. We visited St. Sofia and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul which is one of the most important evidence which speak of the earliest Islam. And not to forget the Turkish cuisine that has many delicious dishes, as well as the Turkish tea and olives for which the city is famous. We hope for another visit from our friends from Turkey in the near future to repay for all the good things that we experienced there.

Prepared by:

Aleksandar Stoimenovski

Viktorija Marinova

Ivana Ristova