The Turkish University of Okan, one of the largest education centers in Istanbul with about 10 professors of the Russian language, has recently opened the Russian World Room, the first such room in Istanbul and the fifth in Turkey.
The Russki Mir Fund was thanked for support in opening the room. B. Okan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the university, made a speech at opening, noting the importance of cooperation with Russia and expression of devotion to studies of the Russian language and culture.
S. Kut, head of the university, and K. Akyndzhi, former Turkish Ambassador to Russia and Secretary General of the Turkic Councul, emphasized prospects of the Russian language and pointed out connections between the two peoples and states.
G.D. Toloraya, managing director of regional programs of the Russki Mir, said that political, economic and humanitarian cooperation creates higher demand for staff training in Turkey.
Russian diplomats of the embassy and General Consulate in Istanbul arrived for the opening. It was concluded with a concert of students and pupils performing Russian songs and reading verses.
