http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=selcuk-to-become-sister-city-to-fatima-2011-09-28
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Portuguese city of Fatima, which is famous for visions of the Virgin Mary, is set to become the sister city of the Aegean district of Selçuk, the site of the House of the Virgin Mary.
“We are highly excited about Selçuk and Fatima becoming sister cities, both carry traces of the Virgin Mary. Selçuk and Fatima will bring together the eastern and western Mediterranean,” Selçuk Mayor Vefa Ülgür said earlier this week, adding that he hoped to conclude the sister city agreement soon after meeting officials from the Portuguese city.
The agreement will contribute to tourism in Turkey as Christians visiting Fatima will also become acquainted with Selçuk, he added. ”We expect around 2 million people to visit Selçuk every year after the sister city agreement goes into effect.”
Ülgür originally sent a letter to Fatima on Aug. 28, proposing that the two cities become sister cities; his offer received a positive response from the speaker of Fatima’s council, Natalio de Oliviera Reis.
“We would be happy to establish cooperation and closer relations with Selçuk,” Reis said. “While the two cities are important for the Christian world, we aim to boost economic and cultural relations as well.”
“The seven churches mentioned in the Bible are in Turkey, including the House of the Virgin Mary,” Ülgür said, adding that if Turkey could better promote these seven churches, it could become the world center of faith tourism.
“We are highly excited about Selçuk and Fatima becoming sister cities, both carry traces of the Virgin Mary. Selçuk and Fatima will bring together the eastern and western Mediterranean,” Selçuk Mayor Vefa Ülgür said earlier this week, adding that he hoped to conclude the sister city agreement soon after meeting officials from the Portuguese city.
The agreement will contribute to tourism in Turkey as Christians visiting Fatima will also become acquainted with Selçuk, he added. ”We expect around 2 million people to visit Selçuk every year after the sister city agreement goes into effect.”
Ülgür originally sent a letter to Fatima on Aug. 28, proposing that the two cities become sister cities; his offer received a positive response from the speaker of Fatima’s council, Natalio de Oliviera Reis.
“We would be happy to establish cooperation and closer relations with Selçuk,” Reis said. “While the two cities are important for the Christian world, we aim to boost economic and cultural relations as well.”
“The seven churches mentioned in the Bible are in Turkey, including the House of the Virgin Mary,” Ülgür said, adding that if Turkey could better promote these seven churches, it could become the world center of faith tourism.
