A series of events aimed at introducing Turkey's cultural heritage to Turkey-skeptic France, as well as explaining its vision as a European Union candidate country, kicked off yesterday when Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay and his French counterpart Frederic Mitterrand officially launched the Cultural Season of Turkey in France at a joint press conference. The nine-month Turkish festival is made up of nearly 400 events, including concerts, exhibits and conferences, which will take place in large French cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lille, Lyon and Strasbourg.
Source: Zaman (Turkey), July 1, 2009
