The Orthodox Church Info blog reports today (September 12, 2010) that the seminary near Istanbul on the island of Halki -- closed by Turkey since 1971 -- is currently hosting its first public event in 40 years, thus raising hopes it may shortly be reopened by Turkey and once again educate priests for the Greek Orthodox community.
"Tracing Istanbul," an exhibition of works by Greek artists inspired by the city, has filled the school's abandoned classrooms with paintings, and brought life back to the corridors.
"This exhibition sends an invitation -- come and see the classrooms which need students and the blackboards which need teachers" -- said Anastasia Manou, one of the Greek organizers of the show, which is due to move to Athens in a month. The paintings show scenes of Istanbul -- including the Hagia Sophia -- the most important church of the Byzantine Empire.
The European Union (EU) -- which Turkey has been trying to join for several years -- has said that the closing of Halki's seminary undermines freedom of religion, and Turkey must expand its non-Muslim minorities' rights before it can be eligible for EU membership. Turkey's EU chief negotiator, Egemen Bagis, said, "The opening of the school (Halki Seminary) is something we are working on in a very determined manner."
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