Skopje to host meaningful gathering for Human Rights and Culture: Three honorees from Western Thrace
Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, will host a significant event on Saturday, June 14: the second edition of the International Human Rights and Culture Awards, organized by the Rumeli Opinion Leaders group. The ceremony will honor individuals and organizations contributing to human rights, cultural preservation, and peace across the Balkans.
Set to take place at the Philharmonic Concert Hall, the awards will spotlight figures who have championed ideals of brotherhood and harmony in the region. Among this year’s recipients are three notable names from Western Thrace:
İbrahim Şerif, the elected Mufti of Komotini, will receive an award for his efforts in the field of human rights.
Hüseyin Baltacı, president of the Association of Higher Education Graduates of Western Thrace Minority (WTMUGA), will be recognized for his contributions to culture.
A special posthumous award will be presented to the family of the late Ahmet Mete, former Mufti of Xanthi, in honor of his lifelong service.
Founded in 2021 in Istanbul, the Rumeli Opinion Leaders group comprises individuals dedicated to preserving the shared historical and cultural heritage between Turkey and the Balkans. The group’s annual awards ceremony, held in a different Balkan country each year, reflects a broader commitment to regional peace and coexistence.
Speaking on behalf of the event, organizers Atilla Baykal and Bayram Vardar emphasized its symbolic value:
“These awards honor not only individuals, but also the collective memory that sustains the dream of peace in the Balkans.”
