RRome, 27 December. – In the episode of I Viaggi del Cuore on Saturday 28 December at 9.30 am on Canale 5thanks to TGA (Turkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency) and the Culture and Information Office of the Embassy of T urkiye, Don Davide Banzato will lead the viewers discovering Istanbul, a city suspended between East and West. Anciently known as Byzantium and then Constantinople, Istanbul is the symbol of the meeting between cultures, religions and histories that intertwine to create unparalleled wealth.
A journey between spirituality and history. The episode opens with an overview of Istanbul, a vibrant, multi-ethnic metropolis. We will immerse ourselves in the charm of the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and most fascinating covered markets in the world, where the scent of spices mixes with the aroma of Turkish coffee, creating a timeless atmosphere.
The journey will continue to discover two of the most iconic monuments of the city: Hagia Sophia, once a Christian basilica, transformed into a mosque, then a museum and recently again a mosque, and the Blue Mosque, famous for its decorated tiles and for being a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. These places, which seem to dialogue across the square that separates them, tell of centuries of coexistence between Christianity and Islam.
We will then cross the legendary Bosphorusthe strait that physically separates but symbolically unites Europe and Asia. A cruise on these waters will give us breathtaking views of the Ottoman palaces and fishing villages, immersing us in a history spanning millennia.
Among the lesser-known places we will discover the Church of San Salvatore in Chora, famous for its extraordinarily detailed Byzantine mosaics, and the Church of Sant’Antonio da Padova, a point of reference for the Catholic community of Istanbul and a symbol of the Christian faith in a land of meetings.
This episode of Journeys of the Heart invites us to reflect on the importance of dialogue and coexistence between different cultures and religions, principles perfectly embodied by Istanbul. This city, which has always been a symbol of encounter and plurality, continues to inspire with its timeless beauty and its welcoming soul.
Also on this trip will be the founder of the international Nuovi Orizzonti Association, Chiara Amirante, the co-director of Famiglia Cristiana, Luciano Regolo, and the authors of Edizioni San Paolo for insights into current affairs and a space on the latest editorial releases. All always with the presence of Don Bosco Missions, which will talk about the difficult situation in Nigeria, helping us to have a look at the world.
I Viaggi del Cuore is a TV format created and produced by Elio Angelo Bonsignore for Me Production together with the producer for Mediaset RTI Consuelo Bonifati. Host Don Davide Banzato (also in the role of co-author); author Martina Polimeni; directors Matteo Ricca and Fulvio Bonucci. In its 45 minute duration it aims to reach everyone, believers and non-believers, thanks to a cultural slant and very high quality images. It enjoys the patronage of the Holy See with the Dicastery for Evangelization.
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