Emine Erdoğan met with the kindergarten students of Turkey Maarif Foundation in Belgrade. She was accompanied by the wife of the Serbian President during the visit.

During her official visit to the Serbian capital of Belgrade to accompany President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Emine Erdoğan was warmly welcomed by Tamara Vucic, the wife of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Later, Emine Erdoğan visited Maarif Baby Palace Kindergarten in Belgrade with Tamara Vucic, which provides education to 220 students aged 2-7. The visiting leaders were greeted with flowers by Maarif Foundation President Birol Akgün, Deputy Representative of Maarif Foundation in Serbia Abdullah Gülçimen, Kindergarten Director Sladjana Perkovic, and the students at the kindergarten. The visit included a performance of Serbian folkloric dances and songs by the students of Maarif Primary School. Emine Erdoğan and Tamara Vucic then visited a classroom at Baby Palace Kindergarten, where they interacted with students, joined their activities, and provided individual attention. At the end of the visit, Emine Erdoğan, accompanied by Vucic and the children, took photos and the kindergarten students sang songs. Emine Erdoğan also took a photo in front of the smart board gifted to the school by Tamara Vucic. “THE JOY OF OUR WARMLY WELCOMING CHILDREN MADE OUR DAY BRIGHTER” Emine Erdoğan shared her visit to the kindergarten with Tamara Vucic on her social media accounts, saying: “We witnessed the imagination and talents of the children of our friend and brother country Serbia blooming in this special educational institution. The children at the school are prepared for the future with a modern educational approach, and their personal and social development is significantly supported within a loving environment. The joy of our warmly welcoming children made our day brighter. I thank everyone who works with the belief that the light of the children is the most valuable bond strengthening the friendship between our countries.” TURKEY MAARIF FOUNDATION’S ACTIVITIES IN SERBIA Turkey Maarif Foundation began its activities in Serbia in May 2019. The foundation’s educational activities in Serbia are carried out in 5 schools in the capital Belgrade, as well as in the cities of Novi Pazar and Sjenica; with a total of 518 students, including 449 in preschool and 69 in primary school.