Canada Day was celebrated with a reception held in the garden of the Canadian Embassy in Ankara. Guests were served chicken döner as the main course, leading to long queues. Canadian Ambassador to Türkiye Kevin Hamilton stated that the evening’s menu was designed to blend flavors special to both Türkiye and Canada.
“I love Turkish cuisine,” said Hamilton. “One of the most appealing aspects of being posted in Türkiye is the food.”
M. Ferhat YÜKSEL
The reception was hosted by Ambassador Kevin Hamilton, his spouse, Tal Hamilton, and Canadian military officials. Among the attendees were Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, ambassadors, diplomats, and guests. The evening began with the national anthems of both countries.
A BROAD PARTNERSHIP
In his speech, Deputy Minister Gümrükçü highlighted that this year marks the 82nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Canada.
“Over the past eight decades, our two countries have built a strong partnership based on values, mutual respect, and shared interests,” he said.
“Our cooperation spans a wide range of fields, from security and defense to trade, science, culture, and education. This reflects the strength and resilience of our partnership.”
He added that as two governments that embrace free trade and cooperation, Türkiye and Canada should actively promote business dialogue between their private sectors and seize every opportunity for growth.
A REMINDER OF DIPLOMACY’S VALUE
Ambassador Hamilton said, Conflict and instability are on the rise around the world and in Türkiye’s neighborhood.
“In this environment, Türkiye’s stabilizing role in the region is not only visible, but also vital,” he said.
“Türkiye has not only welcomed refugees, but also demonstrated a commitment to mediation and open dialogue.”
“Türkiye reminds us of the true importance of diplomacy in today’s world. The foundation of the alliance between our two countries is built on a shared purpose and trust. From NATO deployments and humanitarian aid to Arctic preservation and global peacekeeping, we act not just with strength, but with conviction.”
FOOD: TÜRKİYE’S SECRET CHARM
After the speeches, guests were invited to enjoy an open buffet. The main dish of the evening was chicken döner, which attracted long queues at both serving stations.
Speaking to Démarche, Ambassador Hamilton noted that they were celebrating Canada’s 158th year of independence:
“We’re marking Canada’s national independence, so we’ve tried to offer a mix of cuisines. We’ve included some Turkish favorites like chicken döner, and also Canadian classics like beaver tails, maple syrup, maple ice cream, and poutine from the province of Quebec.”
“We’re trying to combine what makes Türkiye special with what makes Canada unique. I truly enjoy Turkish food, it’s one of the biggest attractions of being posted here.”
