MUSTAFA SANDAL SURPRISE AT SWISS NATIONAL DAY
“ORTAYA GELSİN” REFLECTS TURKISH GENEROSITY
Switzerland’s National Day was celebrated with a reception at the Swiss Embassy in Ankara. Turkish pop star Mustafa Sandal, who completed his middle and high school education in Switzerland, attended the evening and gave a mini-concert. Swiss Ambassador Guillaume Bertrand Scheurer made a playful reference to Sandal’s famous lyric, “I’d go with you as far as Fizan,” and added, “Not Fizan, I hope he changes direction and goes to Lausanne instead.” Ambassador Scheurer said that the Turkish phrase “Ortaya gelsin” beautifully reflects the country’s spirit of generosity.
M. FERHAT YÜKSEL / ANKARA
Hosted by Swiss Ambassador Guillaume Bertrand Scheurer and his wife Farin Scheurer, the reception welcomed Deputy Foreign Minister and EU President Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, alongside many other ambassadors and guests. The event began with the national anthems of both countries. An AI-generated video introduced the natural beauty of Switzerland.
100 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP
Answering our questions before the reception, Ambassador Scheurer highlighted that the evening also marked a century of bilateral friendship. “Exactly 100 years ago, Türkiye and Switzerland signed a Treaty of Friendship. This is a moment to commemorate our achievements, assess where we stand now, and reflect on our shared future. Many people say there is no such thing as ‘friendship’ in international relations. I respectfully disagree. The past 100 years have proven that Türkiye and Switzerland are true friends. I don’t want to list too many examples, but major milestones such as the Lausanne Treaty, the Montreux Convention, and Türkiye’s Civil and Commercial Codes being inspired by their Swiss counterparts are remarkable steps in your history,” he said.
The ambassador added that he and his wife feel very much at home in Türkiye, especially in Ankara: “We both feel like citizens of Ankara and Türkiye now, as your country warmly welcomes and hosts us.”
TÜRKİYE, THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION
Having served in Ankara for about a year, Ambassador Scheurer shared his impressions of Türkiye:
“Of course, many things come to mind. But for me, Turkish generosity stands out the most. No matter where we go—whether in small villages or big cities—Turkish people always greet us with a smile, tea, and friendship. Türkiye’s cultural heritage is incredibly rich. Whether in the east, west, north, or south, history is present in every step. You truly feel like part of European civilization in Türkiye. I believe this civilization was born here.”
A FAN OF MANTI
“I’m trying to learn Turkish. I must admit, my wife is doing much better than I am,” he said with a smile. “But I want to understand not just the language, but the Turkish soul and people. How they think, how they live their lives, and the stories. I think it all comes down to food and hospitality. I’ve discovered manti, and I’m a big fan. Wherever I am, if there’s manti, I’ll get it. I also love the phrase ‘ortaya’ in Turkish. When friends gather at a table and share dishes, it symbolizes a culture of generosity and togetherness.”
Deputy Minister Bozay also emphasized the strong historical ties between Türkiye and Switzerland. “The Lausanne Treaty, which founded our Republic, became one of the pillars of our relations in 1923. Switzerland was among the first countries to recognize the new Republic. In 1925, we signed the Treaty of Friendship, and this year we proudly celebrate its 100th anniversary,” he said.
MUSTAFA SANDAL SURPRISE
After the formal speeches, Ambassador Scheurer invited Mustafa Sandal as the night’s surprise guest. He noted that Sandal had spent much of his youth in Switzerland and served as a cultural bridge between the two countries. Referring again to the famous lyric “I’d go with you as far as Fizan,” the ambassador added, “Not Fizan—I hope he changes direction and goes to Lausanne instead.”
Sandal shared that he moved to Switzerland at the age of 11 for school. “Switzerland and Geneva have a very special place in my heart. During the years I dreamed of success and shaped my personality, Switzerland and Geneva always inspired me. That’s why they hold a unique place in my soul and heart,” he said. He then gave a short live performance.
