The ‘Best of Rumelia 2017’ award ceremony, organized by Tek Rumeli TV, took place on Saturday, February 10th, at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall with a significant turnout. Individuals, institutions, and organizations contributing the most to Rumelia were honored in 19 categories, determined through voting conducted by 240 Rumelia Balkan Associations. Muharrem Çelik was awarded the ‘Best Businessman Award,’ presented by Muhammed Sancaktar, the President of the Bosnia Sandzak Cultural and Solidarity Association and also the Vice President of the Laleli Industrialists and Businessmen Association (LASİAD).
Former Health Minister and AK Party Bursa Deputy Mehmet Müezzinoğlu, chosen as the ‘Minister of the Year,’ expressed his connection to Rumelia in his speech at the ceremony. Müezzinoğlu stated, “Leaving the lands where I was born and raised, I came here, saying ‘Homeland,’ under this great flag, and as long as I look to the future with hope and confidence, I express my gratitude to the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who left us this young Republic as a legacy.”
Atilla Baykal, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tek Rumeli TV, also spoke about the ongoing migration from the Balkans since the Ottoman-Russian wars. Baykal mentioned, “The migrations started after the 1912 Balkan Wars, even after the Ottoman-Russian wars in the Balkans. These migrations have not ended yet. Why? Because there is no peace in the Balkans. When the Ottoman Empire was present in the Balkans for 500 years, everyone lived in peace, everyone lived as brothers, and there was only economic competition. After the Ottomans left, friendships ended. Because past politicians, and other countries worldwide, struggled to divide the Balkan society. We are fighting to bring peace to the Balkans.”
