Virginia Turkish-American Cultural Reception was held at the Old City Hall in Richmond with around 40 Delegates and Senators in attendance. The event hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Federation of Turkic-American Associations (MAFTAA) was co-sponsored by a broad range of member organizations.
House Delegate David Bulova, stressed the importance of the Turkish-American community for the Commonwealth of Virginia. “I am so proud to represent a wonderful dynamic Turkish community in Virginia and Fairfax. Turkish American community has started to get very very active and I am very glad that so many legislators have come out here tonight’ said Bulova.
Virginia State Corporations Commissioner Judge Mark Christie welcomed the audience in Turkish. “Tesekkur ederim” started Bulova and translated it into English: “It means ‘thank you very much’. Judge Christie, talked about his former Turkish students at the Virginia Commonwealth University where he taught for around 10 years and his first trip to Turkey he’d taken with them. “It was kind of delight to have them. Wonderful students who became one of my friends. So that is why it is such an honor. Also I had an honor few years ago to go with some other students to Istanbul and visit that fascinating city. I would recommend if you had a chance to visit Istanbul. Please take an opportunity, it is fascinating city, it is a beautiful city, it is the intersection of multiple cultures, every great civilization in the world."
Senator Janet Howell encouraged everyone to go to Turkey sharing with the culture.
The President of MAFTAA, Dr. Faruk Taban, talked about the activities of the organization in six different States: Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina. “It’s a grassroots organization representing Turkish cultural centers with similar objectives, similar missions in several states to serve in the Mid-Atlantic region for the education of social and cultural needs. By organizing this special reception we are hoping to build a better understanding and more lasting friendship.” stated Dr. Taban.
Besides the Turkish Cuisine, Turkish coffee was also served to the guests. In addition, water marbling, calligraphy and reed flute shows were performed by the artists.
