YTB President Turus: “We Proudly Commemorate the 60 Years of Effort by the Turkish Community in France”

A large number of politicians and Turkish citizens attended the event organized by YTB in the suburb of Goussainville in Paris. At the event, a special exhibition prepared in cooperation with the Turkish Association for International Solidarity (ATSİ) and the Paris Trabzon Association as part of YTB’s 60th Anniversary Special Support Program was introduced for the first time.

 

The exhibition, consisting of a total of 15 pieces, featured photographs depicting the 60-year journey of the Turkish community in France, as well as various clippings from French newspapers of the period that shed light on the lives of Turks in the country.

 

Tamer Barış Ülger, General Art Director of the Sanatolia Culture and Arts Foundation, and his orchestra also presented a musical performance.

 

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Serdar Çam delivered a speech during the program. Çam stated that they will continue to support Turks living in France in every field. Emphasizing the need for a more multifaceted approach in raising children, he said, “We must now raise our children to be versatile, to be multilingual,” and noted that cooperation between France and Türkiye could further advance.

 

Expressing gratitude by saying, “We extend our thanks to everyone who has contributed from past to present to the respected, strong, and united structure that the Turkish community in France enjoys today,” Çam continued: “The future of these two societies, which have historically had good relations, continues to progress even stronger thanks to your efforts and dedication.”

 

Speaking at the event, YTB President Abdulhadi Turus drew attention to the 60th anniversary of the labor agreement signed between Türkiye and France, emphasizing that this agreement was a historic turning point in relations between the two countries.

Turus noted that the first generation who came to France for work built a new life through great sacrifices, saying, “This agreement represents the first step of a dignified life, built through hard work and the courage to start anew in a different land.”

He also highlighted the size of the Turkish community living in Paris and its surroundings, stating that there are approximately 260,000 Turkish citizens in the region. Emphasizing that the Turkish community contributes significantly to many fields—from civil society activities to trade, from culture and arts to education—Turus said: “The Turkish community holds a strong position not only in France but throughout Europe. We can proudly say that, just as in every country where they reside, the Turkish community adds value to France as well.”

Turus expressed his deep respect and gratitude for the first-generation Turkish workers who set out for foreign lands with a single suitcase. He also thanked the young people who carry the bridge of friendship between the two countries into the future. He said, “We extend our thanks to all our citizens, especially our young people who wear Turkish and Turkish culture on their chest like a badge.”

Türkiye’s Ambassador to Paris, Yunus Demirer, also stated that the Turks who came to France between 1965 and 1974 under the labor agreement worked under difficult and harsh conditions and played a major role in France’s development.

Demirer said, “The Turks, known as the first generation, quickly took root in France and became part of every aspect of social life.” He added, “The increasing number of university-educated young people is not only an individual achievement, but also a step that will strengthen the visibility, respectability, and influence of the Turkish community in France.”

 

Türkiye’s Consul General in Paris, Kerem Yılmaz, said, “The Turkish community in France is, above all, an important actor that strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.”

 

Yılmaz stated that they wish to see Turkish citizens attain significant positions in every sector, noting that the Turkish language forms the core bond between young people in France and their culture as well as Türkiye.

 

Goussainville Mayor Abdelaziz Hamida also expressed his satisfaction at seeing the Turkish diaspora in France flourish, noting that the community includes doctors, engineers, and politicians. Nazmi Baltacı, a member of the first generation who arrived in France, said they endured hardships with patience, adding, “We got used to France and grew to love it, but we never forgot our homeland.”

 İrem and Arda Sağlam, representing four generations of Turks in France, stated that they love both of their countries very much and added, “We are striving to speak Turkish as well as we speak French.”

 

The event was also attended by Mustafa Çelebi, Vice President of the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs in France (DİTİB) and President of the Goussainville Sports and Culture Association (ACSTG); Bülent Cumhur, President of the Paris Trabzon Association; and Dudu Keleş, Director of the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) in Paris.