These days, thousands of emigrants from Bulgaria to Turkey are leaving for Momchilgrad to attend the opening of the restored house of the legendary weightlifter Naim Suleymanoglu, which has been turned into a museum, BTA reported.
The grand opening will be on November 18, when it marks 8 years since the weightlifter's death.
A number of emigrant organizations organized the trip of those wishing to attend the event.
„Many people expressed their desire to go to Bulgaria for this purpose. Naim is the pride of the people of the emigrant communities throughout Turkey, he glorified Bulgaria and Turkey with the medals he won, but also made the world talk about the tragedy of the Bulgarian Turks. Many people have now expressed their desire to go to Bulgaria to see his native house. At the initiative of the leadership, we have provided transportation for those who wish. Our representatives will also participate in the conference dedicated to the life and sports career of Naim, which will be held in Momcılgrad,“ the chairman of the Society for Culture and Cooperation of the Balkan Turks in the compactly populated Avcilar district of Istanbul, who is a former freestyle wrestling champion, told BTA.
Organized groups from the Balkanlılar Society in Istanbul, the Foundation for Economic Research and Social Assistance (BISAV) in Ankara, “Balgöç“ in Bursa, Eskişehir and other cities also went to the opening of the house-museum of Naim Süleymanoğlu.
„Pocket Hercules“ - that's how Naim Süleymanoğlu is popularly called in Turkey.
He was born in the village of Pticar, but from the age of four to fifteen he lived with his family in the house, which was renovated and turned into a museum. When he became the world champion for juniors under 20 in Sao Paulo at the age of just 15, his successes began.
„The house was renovated as a museum under the project and financing of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). Our desire is in this way to preserve the memory of Pocket Hercules, who is our national treasure and a legendary athlete known all over the world, for generations. "The brother of the late Naim, Muharrem Süleymanoğlu, helped us a lot for the exhibition," said TIKA Chairman Abdullah Eren on social media.
According to information from expatriate associations and the media, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Minister of Youth and Sports Ashken Bak are also expected to attend the event. The two ministers, together with the head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), will also attend the opening of the new mosque in Kardzhali, built with assistance from Turkey.
According to media reports, the initiative for the memorial complex has been with the Momchilgrad municipality since 2022 and was implemented with the assistance of TIKA and the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Sofia.
Monuments to Naim Süleymanoğlu have been erected in several places in Turkey.
At the beginning of this year, the idea of organizing an international weightlifting tournament in memory of the legendary weightlifter was born.
Naim Süleymanoğlu was born on January 23, 1967 in the village of Ptichar, Momchilgrad. In his sports career, he has seven world weightlifting titles, 3 Olympic medals, and 46 world records.
On November 18, a memorial ceremony will be held at the grave of Naim Süleymanoğlu, which is located in the Edirnekapı Martyrs' Memorial Complex in Istanbul, to mark the 8th anniversary of his death.