ISTANBUL
By Ayse Humeyra Atilgan
The Cervantes Institute in Istanbul is bringing the Turkish and Spanish-speaking countries together with a number of exhibitions, film screenings, and language courses.
Dr. Pablo Martin Asuero, Director of Istanbul's Cervantes Institute tells Anadolu Agency (AA): "We appreciate the interest of Turkish people in the Spanish culture and our activities. Neither Turkish nor Spanish people have prejudice against each other. The two cultures have many things in common."
"Both are Mediterranean societies which directly leads to the resemblance between daily life, food, family ties, social life, and activities of daily living. Even some cities in Turkey remind me of Spanish cities; Antalya, for example, bears a great resemblance to Malaga. The mountains, roads, touristic activities, and people look very alike."
The Cervantes Institute is an official institution created by Spain in 1991 to promote Spanish teachings around the world.
"Over 400 million people speak Spanish across the world. It is the third common language on the Internet and is being increasingly used in economic, political, and cultural relations. That is why we are organizing Spanish courses in as many countries as possible," Asuero tells AA.
The institute offers Spanish courses as well as the option to do a Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE), which is an official and internationally recognized qualification certifying students' knowledge of Spanish.
"Every year more than 100,000 students study Spanish as a second or third language at Spanish courses in the Cervantes centers," Asuero said.
The institute also conducts projects in cooperation with various Turkish universities, not only in Istanbul but in various provinces of Turkey for cultural exchange purposes.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
