Czech Republic sends chandeliers to Turkish Parliament in anti-coup gesture

ANKARA

AA photo

The Czech Republic has delivered its promised chandeliers to Turkish Parliament to replace the chandeliers in the Honorary Hall that were destroyed during the failed July 15 coup attempt. 

The damaged Bohemian crystal chandeliers were produced by Czech company in 1957-1958, and the Czech authorities had offered Turkey to replace them as a gift in the aftermath of the thwarted coup attempt. 



“The General Assembly building and the will of the nation once again proved itself on the path of democracy on July 15. Like the Turkish people, the Czech people have also lived through a century of serious and long-lasting burdens,” said Parliament Speaker İsmail Kahraman during the delivery ceremony of the chandeliers, also attended by Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek. 

Kahraman said parliament buildings reflect the national history and spirit of nations, adding that the Turkish Parliament building is a symbol of Turkey’s multi-party politics and the story of its transition to democracy.

“The architectural characteristics and general structure of the parliament are designed to be strong, robust, and durable in a way that symbolizes the strength of the Republic of Turkey,” he told guests. 

“It is not a coincidence that the coup plotters targeted parliament, which represents the free will of the country,” he added. 

“I would like to thank you for resisting the coup and embracing democracy. If the coup had succeeded it would have been bad news for the Czech Republic and Europe, as well as Turkey,” Kahraman said.