By Arif Yavuz

AFYONKARAHISAR, Türkiye (AA) - Greek orchestra conductor and 23-year experienced principal violinist Nikos Haliassas said he regards Türkiye as his “second home.”

Haliassas conducted the Bursa Regional State Symphony Orchestra at the opening Wednesday of the 23rd Afyonkarahisar Classical Music Festival in the Foyer Area of the Afyonkarahisar New Museum.

Since 2000, Haliassas has been the principal violinist of the Athens State Orchestra and artistic director and principal conductor of the Athens Intrarti Orchestra.

Conducting different orchestras and ensembles in his country and abroad, he is the artistic director of the Sinfonia International Music Festival, MusiKos and Halki Festivals.

Haliassas told Anadolu he was happy to perform the opening concert of the festival with the Bursa Regional State Symphony Orchestra, with which he had the opportunity to work with for a third time.

He stressed it was a great surprise that such a festival in a small city in Türkiye was coming in its 23rd year, noting “especially this museum, which is, as I see, quite new, and I visited this morning with these marvelous exhibits from our ancient times.”

Haliassas praised Czech violinist Daniel Matejča, who accompanied him during the performance.

Emphasizing he had concerts in Antalya and Adana provinces of Türkiye earlier this year, Haliassas added: “I admire everything in Türkiye. Our civilizations resemble each other in character.”

*Writing by Serdar Dincel from Istanbul