A diplomat answers our questionnaire about life under the hills

 

"The most interesting thing, in my opinion, is to get lost in the Old Town and go around the streets there."

In the last 20 years, there hasn’t been such an active Consul General under the hills. With his inauguration on February 1, 2017 His Excellency The Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Plovdiv, Mr. Hussein Ergani, quickly immersed himself in the rhythm of life of the ancient and eternal city. He is working hard to expand ties and cultural exchanges between the two countries. His term ends at the end of March 2021.

He started his fifth year as a Plovdivian and he says that he will stay that way, and we believe him because so far no other consul has left at least one celebration behind. His Excellency bequeathed to the team of the Consulate General to continue the tradition they set #TOGETHER with the Bulgarian-Turkish Literary Club to celebrate February 21 - International Mother Language Day in Plovdiv. It was on this day in the last 4 years that it became clear that more than 30 languages are spoken in the city.

During one of the visits of our team on the occasion of his activity, he was happy to answer our questions from the section Expats in Plovdiv:

When friends visit Plovdiv for the first time we go to... The Old Town

When it’s party time I go to... I don't have much time for fun and rest, but when it comes to eating, I often go to Morado with a view of the fountain, and for coffee - in the pastry shop of Dzhumaya.

The most underrated place in Plovdiv is... probably Sahat Tepe. It is right in the center, but also a little to the side. But that may also be the goal – for the area to stay a little calmer, because people live there. It is a very nice place in the city.

One place in Plovdiv that always wows people is... for me there are two places. One is the Roman stadium. As you walk in the center of a modern city and suddenly ancient ruins are revealed in front of you. This creates the feeling that there is a whole other separate city below.

Stolipinovo is also a very specific and original place.

For a delicious food I usually go to... the most delicious food is here, in our consulate general, but I also have other favorite places. For a specific Japanese cuisine I like Happy, the variety there is quite large. I often visit Pasha, Smokini, Moda café, Filipopolis, Elea. I hope that the restaurants I don't mention won't get mad at me.

Plovdiv is an extremely rich city in terms of gastronomy.

My favorite place for a walk… The Rowing Channel is nice and calm, because there you walk near water. I also like the shores of Maritsa - they are not even very popular. And if you are looking to be among people, the central part is for you.

But the most interesting thing, in my opinion, is to get lost in the Old Town and walk the streets there.

"Plovdiv is the place where I’ve worked best, easiest and with my whole heart!" said Ergani and wished to return often.