Galery

1

The Turkish series "The Magnificent Century" well-known in almost all Balkan countries has been also shown in Greece for several months now. It is known here as "Suleiman the Magnificent" and grabs the attention of thousands of TV viewers every evening.

The opponents of its showing are just as many. They protest against the imposition of Turkish series, which have gained momentum in recent years, arguing that no Greek series have been made because of them and as a result, Greek filmmakers and actors remain unemployed. Others "see" political propaganda behind the series, whereas a third group of people ... benefit from it.

One of the main characters in the series is the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Suleiman, Ibrahim Pasha. In the series, however, the Sultan calls him mostly "Pargali" after the name of his native town of Parga.

Since last year, the coastal town, which stands in tiers between the Pezovolos hill, 139 metres high, and the coast of the Ionian Sea, has been one of the most demanded tourist destinations in Turkey.
 
The influx of visitors from Turkey in 2012 was so high that local hoteliers and restaurateurs will participate at this year's International Tourism Fair EMITT 2013, which will be held in Istanbul from 24 to 27 January.

While nationalistic and chauvinistic circles are murmuring against the "new Turkish invasion" by series, the modern residents of Parga are responding to the increased interest of Turkish travel agencies.

Local governments in the region of Epirus support their actions because they see great potential for the development of tourism in this part of Greece too.

The people employed in tourism expect an increase in the number of visitors to the birthplace of the man from Parga, who, being a janissary was able to take the highest post in the mighty empire at that time. They rely on the road connection via Egnatia highway as well as on the airports in Aktio and Ioannina, which are located nearby.

The "fashionable" series and the historical person of Ibrahim have excited the appetite of the municipality of Ioannina too. The mayor organized a special press conference to emphasize the great interest of Turkish citizens in the city and the surrounding area, and to present the plan of the municipality to include them in the tourist programmes of Turkish travel agencies.
 
Time will tell whether the one who had been taken as a blood tax and then became the second in power in the Ottoman Empire will be able to help his hometown in times of crisis, even if with a few centuries' delay. The only certain thing is that the fans of the series will continue to follow with strong interest his statesmanlike and military achievements and, above all, the love affairs in the series.