site.btaThousands of Expats in Turkiye Return to Bulgaria for Inauguration of Naim Suleymanoglu Memorial House

Thousands of Bulgarian expatriates in Turkiye have flocked to Momchilgrad for the opening of the restored childhood home of legendary weightlifter Naim Suleymanoglu, which has been converted into a museum.

The official opening will take place on November 18, marking eight years since the athlete’s passing.

Several expatriate organizations have arranged trips for those wishing to attend.

"Many people have expressed their desire to go to Bulgaria for this event. Naim is a source of pride for expatriate communities across Turkiye. His medals brought glory to both Bulgaria and Turkiye. He also drew the world’s attention to the tragedy of the Bulgarian Turks. Many people now want to visit his family home. At the initiative of the leadership, we have arranged transportation for those who wish to travel. Our representatives will also take part in the conference dedicated to Naim’s life and sporting career, which will be held in Momchilgrad," the chairperson of the association for culture and cooperation of Balkan Turks in Istanbul’s densely populated Avcilar district and a former freestyle wrestling champion told the Bulgarian News Agency.

Organized groups from Ankara, Bursa, Eskisehir and other cities are also travelling for the opening.

Naim Suleymanoglu is widely known in Turkiye as the "Pocket Hercules."

He was born on January 23, 1967, in the village of Ptichar, Momchilgrad Municipality. From the age of four to fifteen he lived with his family in the house that has now been restored as a museum. At just 15, he became junior world champion in Sao Paulo. His career included seven world titles, three Olympic gold medals, and 46 world records.

"The house was renovated and transformed into a museum under a project funded by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). Our aim is to preserve the memory of the Pocket Hercules - a national treasure and a legendary athlete known worldwide - for future generations. Naim’s brother, Muharrem Suleymanoglu, greatly assisted with the exhibition," TIKA President Abdullah Eren said on social media.

According to information from expatriate organizations and media outlets, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Minister of Youth and Sports Askin Bak are also expected to attend. Together with the head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, they will also be present at the opening of a new mosque in Kardzhali, built with support from Turkiye.

Media reports say the initiative for the memorial complex was launched by the Momchilgrad Municipality in 2022 and carried out with the support of TIKA and the Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye in Sofia.

Monuments to Naim Suleymanoglu have been erected in several locations in Turkiye.

Earlier this year, the idea emerged to organize an international weightlifting tournament in his memory.

On November 18, a memorial ceremony will be held at his grave in the Edirnekapi Martyr's Cemetery in Istanbul to mark the eighth anniversary of his passing.