Egemen Bağış Attended the 14. Rendez-vous Istanbul Film Festival Opening Ceremony

The 14. Rendez-vous Istanbul Film Festival Opening Ceremony, organized by TURSAK Foundation with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism was held in Istanbul on December 14, 2011 with the participation of Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negitiator Egemen Bağıþ.

In his speech, Minister Bağıþ emphasized the great role the arts play in the development of dialogue and peace by enabling us to perceive differences as richness. He also added that in today's world where conflicts stemming from differences in culrure, religion and race; we are in desperate need of the arts' encompassing and unifying role.

Apart from Minister Bağıþ, Engin Yiğitgil, chairman of the Administrative Board of TURSAK, also made a speech at the ceremony. During the ceremony, Minister Bağıþ was presented with a plaque while photographer Ara Güler, film critic Atilla Dorsay, film directors Çağan Irmak and Muzaffer Hiçdurmaz as well as actor Þener Þen were each presented an honorary award.