Evliya Celebi did not only travel and observe, but he also wrote down his opinions, points of view, perceptions, thus allowed us, today, at this prestigious exhibition in Paris, like the mythical bird Phoenix in our eyes, to re-enact the world in which he lived and traveled, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov said, opening the exhibition "Evliya Celebi - An Ottoman Traveler".

The exhibition is organized by the Arab World Institute in association with UNESCO and the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO).

”The traveler, Evliya Celebi, contributed to building understanding between peoples, cultures and civilizations which he visited ... His records are important sources not only about history and geography, but also ethnography, anthropology, economics, architecture, literature and many other areas”, the President said in his address, adding that he was distinctly honored with the opportunity to open the exhibition dedicated to Celebi - the man who left us the civilization traces of our past as heritage.

 
”I believe that the exhibits cast light to part of his rich testimonies and reflections of a time”, President Ivanov said.

He also reminded that the Republic of Macedonia is an active member of the group of friends of the Alliance of Civilizations, thus pays special importance to dialogue among civilizations. In this context, the President expressed his conviction that only through dialogue people will re-discover the richness of diversity, of cultural exchange and of cooperation.

”Exactly the cultural and religious diversity of the Republic of Macedonia is a source of great creative potential and a bridge to mutual understanding, respect and coexistence. Macedonia, not by accident, in 2003 was the initiator of the Summit: Dialogue among Civilizations, held in our spiritual capital, Ohrid, under the leadership of the great visionary and my predecessor, President Boris Trajkovski”, President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov stressed.

"Proof of the importance of this topic is the fact that, ever since then, this type of meetings initiated by my country, are regularly held in our region with the support of UNESCO and the Council of Europe", the President said, adding that history is the best herald of what will happen in the future.

"Therefore, at the 10th anniversary, in 2013, I will be hosting a Summit dedicated to this topic", the Macedonian President announced.

In his address at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, he touched briefly upon the importance of Evliya Celebi's work, whose views were sometimes burdened with prejudices inherent in his time and his position as Ottoman nobleman, civil and religious servant, but, as the President pointed out, allow us to acknowledge his and the general view of the Ottomans on the 17th century world.

President Ivanov next year will be the patron of the event dedicated to Evliya Celebi which is to be held in the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Apart from this exhibition, the French National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) organizes a scientific symposium dedicated to Celebi. At this international symposium, President Ivanov is accompanied by the President of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Academician Georgi Stardelov, Academician Kambovski and Professor Aruch.