Kılıçdaroğlu Hangs Marteniçka on Monument to Murdered Baby Türkan in Bulgaria
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Nation Alliance Presidential Candidate, recently paid a visit to Bulgaria where he attended a fast-breaking dinner in Kardzhali and visited several historical and cultural sites. Kılıçdaroğlu was warmly welcomed by Bulgarian officials, including Chairman of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (HÖH) Mustafa Karadayı and Mayor of Kardzhali Hasan Azis. He also received flowers from fellow citizens, mostly Turks and Muslims.
During his trip, Kılıçdaroğlu visited the grave of baby Türkan Feyzullah in the village of Yoğurtçular. Türkan was killed in 1984 during the assimilation in Bulgaria, which occurred during the communist era after the municipality. The CHP leader left flowers on her grave and later laid a wreath at the memorial fountain built in her memory. Children also read poems at the site.
Kılıçdaroğlu also visited the Yedi Kızla Mosque in the village of Nalbantlar, which was established in 1438 without hammering a single nail. He was briefed on the mosque’s structure and history by mufti officials and the mosque imam.
Later, the CHP leader visited the statue of Olympic champion weightlifter Naim Süleymanoğlu in the Mestanlı district of Kırcaali. He was welcomed there by compatriots and laid a wreath on the bust of poet Nuri Turgut Adalı in Bulgaria. He also visited a monument erected in memory of those killed during the resistance of compatriots in the district and laid a wreath. Prayers were read for the kinsmen who were killed during the visit.
Kılıçdaroğlu spoke to Bulgarian journalists during his visit, stating that the party wants to crown the Republic with democracy by its 100th anniversary. He also expressed trust in compatriots in Bulgaria, as well as the desire for peace in both Turkey and Bulgaria. Additionally, Kılıçdaroğlu emphasized the importance of not using anyone’s faith, identity, or lifestyle as a political tool, and treating everyone with respect and honor.
Upon his departure, Kılıçdaroğlu was presented with a wooden model of an eagle by Mustafa Karadayı, Chairman of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms.
