‘Honorary Professor’ title given to minister

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Günay speaks at the ceremony during which he was presented with the title of ‘Honorary Professor.’

The Moscow State Culture and Arts University has presented Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay with the title of “Honorary Professor.”

According to a written statement made by the ministry, Günay received the title for his contributions to the development of cultural relations between Turkey and Russia. He received the title at a ceremony following a conference held at the Russian Foreign Ministry Diplomacy Academy.

Günay said he was very pleased to receive such a prestigious title from an important Russian university. “This university is one of the most deeply rooted educational organizations. It opened in 1930 under the name of Moscow Library Institute. Later, the building turned into a hospital. After World War II, it began to serve as the Moscow Culture and Arts University.”

The minister said that following the publication of Nazım Hikmet, Orhan Kemal and Aziz Nesin, the Russian people began to read Orhan Pamuk. “Nazım Hikmet established a cultural bridge between the Turkish and Russian public. And this important poet of the Turkish language is buried in Moscow as a trust to the people of Russia.”

Günay later visited the library of Turkish books at the university and said that he would send books to the university.