Mayor Burcu Köksal Hosts Croatian Students in Afyonkarahisar

In a cultural and diplomatic event, Burcu Köksal, the Mayor of Afyonkarahisar, hosted a group of students and professors from the University of Zagreb, Croatia, at the municipality building today. These students, who are studying in the field of Turkology, traveled to this region to gain firsthand experience with Turkish culture, language, and history [1]. This visit reflects the continuous efforts of the Afyon municipal management to promote the city's international standing in the fields of education and tourism.

Details of the Croatian Students' Meeting with Mayor Köksal During the meeting, Mayor Köksal welcomed the Croatian guests and emphasized the importance of friendly relations between the two countries. Students from the Department of Philosophy and Turkology at the University of Zagreb had the opportunity to discuss joint cultural and educational projects with the mayor [3]. Köksal noted during the meeting that the presence of foreign students interested in the Turkish language and culture serves as a bridge to strengthen peace and friendship between nations.

Promoting Afyonkarahisar's Culture and History Internationally In part of her speech, the Mayor of Afyonkarahisar introduced the city's unique attractions, including the historical Afyon Castle, thermal baths, and the UNESCO-registered gastronomy heritage [2]. She emphasized that Afyonkarahisar is not just a transit city but a treasure trove of various civilizations that must be properly introduced to the world. The Croatian students also expressed their gratitude for the mayor's warm hospitality and shared their enthusiasm for further studying the historical monuments of the region.

The Importance of Turkology Departments in Europe This visit, conducted as part of academic and cultural exchange programs, highlighted the growing importance of Turkology departments in prestigious European universities like the University of Zagreb. Mayor Köksal, pointing out that Turkish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the region, announced her support for students' research activities regarding Ottoman history and modern Turkey [1]. She also expressed hope that these visits would lead to an increase in the number of Croatian tourists and researchers in Afyon province.

A Look at Recent Activities of Afyonkarahisar Municipality This hosting comes at a time when Burcu Köksal has been pursuing extensive diplomatic and executive activities at both the city and national levels in recent days. In addition to international meetings, she recently held sessions with representatives of the region's industrial and commercial sectors to improve urban infrastructure [3]. Striving to turn Afyonkarahisar into a center for attracting young talent and Erasmus+ projects is among the top priorities of her management team in 2026.