Children from SE Turkey enjoy Istanbul

By Lale Bildirici

ISTANBUL

A group of children from southeastern Turkey are visiting famous tourist sites in Istanbul as part of the Interior Ministry’s “We Are Anatolia” project.

At its 7th meeting in Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said on Saturday that under the project, so far 2,237 children have visited Istanbul.

“Today we are hosting 118 guests including 109 students and nine teachers,” from Hakkari in the southeast, Sahin said, adding that the group is being accommodated by families from Umraniye on Istanbul’s Anatolian side.

The children are mainly from Hakkari’s Cukurca and Semdinli districts.

“A bridge of brotherhood has been built,” Sahin said.

“We are proud that Istanbul is hosting it.”

Sahin added that the children are visiting Istanbul’s historic sites, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and museums such as Panorama, as well enjoying Bosphorus boat tours.

Earlier today, Turkey’s first lady Emine Erdogan also met with the children.

Welcoming the children to Istanbul’s miniature part Miniaturk, Erdogan said: “I hope you will have a beautiful time here. Your visit is … the meeting of the west and east.”