Bulgaria

First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül accompanied President Abdullah Gül on his visit to Bulgaria upon the invitation of President Georgi Parvanov on July 10-12, 2011.

The First Lady conducted some programs with her Bulgarian counterpart, Mrs. Zorka Parvanova, after the official welcoming ceremony at Alexander Nevski Square.

The two First Ladies, as the first leg of their program, visited the Boyana Church, built in the 10th century and used as a museum since 1954.

Mrs. Gül and Mrs. Parvanova were welcomed upon their arrival at the church which was placed on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list in 1979. 

Afterwards, they visited the Saint Sofia Community Center for Children, where they were welcomed with flowers and Mrs. Gül was presented a traditional loaf of bread and salt.

The administration of the center briefed Mrs. Gül about its activities and the two First Ladies were also presented paintings by the children. After this visit, Mrs. Parvanova hosted a luncheon in Mrs. Gül’s honor.

The First Couple later attended the official dinner given by their Bulgarian counterparts in the evening.

On July, 12, President Gül and First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül left Bulgaria for Turkey.