The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey is pleased to inform about the screening of the film
“Turkish Passport” on the occasion of the 27 January Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The film
Turkish Passport
tells the story of diplomats working at the Turkish diplomatic and
consular missions in several European countries, who saved numerous Jews during the Second
World War by issuing them Turkish passports so that they would be under the protection of the
Turkish state and ensured to be sent to Turkey. The film has won various awards and/or shown
in various renown international festivals among which Cannes Film Festival, Moondance
International Film Festival, Yosemite Film Festival, the European Independent Film Festival,
Antalya Golden Glove Film Festival could be mentioned.
The screening will take place at Cinemateket, on the 3 February 2016,
in parallel to various
activities taking place in Turkey for the remembrance of the Holocaust.
Turkey, with a historical experience of providing safe shelter to Jewish victims fleeing anti-
Semitism in Europe, is determined to raise awareness on Holocaust and anti-Semitism. On
every January 27, Holocaust victims are commemorated also with official participation in the
last five years in Turkey. The restoration of the Great Synagogue in Edirne costed around 2.5
million dollars and was entirely funded by the state budget. The opening ceremony of the
Synagogue last year was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister together with other dignitaries
from 17 different countries including Israel. One can add various other activities with the
participation of e.i. Minister of Culture and Tourism, Minister for EU Affairs, Deputy of the
Governor of Istanbul and Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Various
Holocaust-related symposia, meetings and conferences are held with the support of the
Government. Turkey has also been actively contributing to the activities of the International
Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) as an observer country since 2008. Turkey is the
only country with a predominantly Muslim population in IHRA and this makes Turkey’s
presence in IHRA unique. Furthermore, Turkey is one of the main sponsors of the first UN
Resolution defining anti-Semitism as a human rights violation.
Anti-Semitism is a phenomenon which is still prevalent and which calls for firmness and
vigilance on the part of the international community. Turkey continues to spend every effort to
fight anti-Semitism and to prevent the re-occurrence of crimes based on anti-Semitism.
On that basis, the Turkish Embassy is pleased to contribute to the remembrance of the Holocaust
through the screening of the film
Turkish Passport.