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Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, the Mayor of Şanlıurfa, made special statements to Haberler.com presenter Melis Yaşar at the launch organized to promote Şanlıurfa, which has been awarded the title of UNESCO City of Music.
ŞANLIURFA, A STRONG CANDIDATE FOR UNESCO CITY OF MUSIC MEETING!
Şanlıurfa, which has made Turkey proud by receiving the title of UNESCO City of Music, has entered an international competition with the goal of hosting the world music cities meeting to be held in 2026. Mayor Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar stated that they are carrying out important efforts to promote this great goal. Gülpınar said, "Our wish is to host representatives from about 300 cities here in 2026 and to hold this organization in Şanlıurfa."
"AFTER THE UNESCO CITY OF MUSIC TITLE, THE GOAL IS 2026"
Speaking about the 2026 goals, Mayor Gülpınar said, "Şanlıurfa, honored with the title of City of Music by UNESCO, is now one of the strong candidates to host the 2026 World Music Cities Meeting." Gülpınar explained the efforts made during the candidacy process, stating, "We are currently in that competition, we announced our candidacy, and we presented our application at the summer meeting held in Portugal. Now we want to certify this candidacy for 2026." He emphasized that holding the meeting in Şanlıurfa would provide significant contributions to the promotion of Turkey and Şanlıurfa, and he highlighted that they would make intense efforts during this process.
"ŞANLIURFA AIMS TO BE A TOURISM CENTER WITH ITS UNIQUE CULTURAL RICHES"
Mayor Gülpınar expressed that Şanlıurfa deserves to be a tourism center not only for music but also for its culture, faith tourism, and gastronomy. "Şanlıurfa is one of the rare cities that has features you cannot find together anywhere else in the world," said Gülpınar, indicating that they would focus more on promotional activities. "As the Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, we will make intense efforts for the development of the city's tourism and to become a destination recognized by the world," he stated.
"THE WORLD WILL KNOW ŞANLIURFA"
After receiving the UNESCO City of Music title, Gülpınar aims to raise Şanlıurfa's voice to a wider audience and strengthen its promotion with new projects to increase the city's tourism potential. "We believe that in the upcoming period, Şanlıurfa will go much further than its current position and will become a destination known and recognized by the world," he expressed his goals.
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