Mert Altınışık: Turkey's Beloved 'Kamal' Expresses His Love for Morocco

Thursday 09 May 2024 - 19:00

In a heartfelt revelation, Mert Altınışık, the iconic Turkish actor renowned for his portrayal of Kamal in the hit series "Beni Affet" (Forgive Me), has expressed his deep affection for Morocco, a country where he has transcended cultural barriers to become a beloved figure in Moroccan households. For seven years, the charismatic Altınışık, whose character's passionate love story became an integral part of Moroccan daily life, has garnered admiration from families across the nation.

During a recent interview, Altınışık reminisced about his first visit to Morocco, which took place in Marrakech for a film advertisement shoot, where he forged numerous friendships. The Turkish actor's words were brimming with fondness as he spoke of his love for Morocco and his constant yearning to visit the country, emphasizing that the key lies in the relationship between him and the Moroccan people, rooted in mutual love and understanding.

At the Tetouan Mediterranean Film Festival, Altınışık shared with Al Arabiya, "The love of Moroccans for the character of Kamal brought me immense joy, and I am honored by your love through this character. I feel the same sentiment towards you, a people with great humanity."

He added, "I am delighted that the character we portrayed was a success, particularly in terms of voice acting and professional translation."

Recalling his inaugural visit to Morocco, Altınışık painted a vivid picture, stating, "When I first came to Morocco, I thought I would feel like a stranger, but on the contrary, they never made me feel that way. Because the Moroccan people welcomed me in a very elegant and beautiful manner, they are a people who honor guests and are very close to the heart."

The actor revealed that his connection with Moroccans deepened as he subsequently visited cities like Agadir and Rabat, returning whenever the opportunity arises. Regarding Moroccan cuisine, Altınışık described the culinary art as exquisite. Time and again, Moroccan dishes have never disappointed Kamal, and during each visit, he frequents authentic restaurants to relive the experience, expressing his love for Moroccan cuisine's diversity, particularly the desserts. He also noted similarities between Moroccan and Ottoman cuisine, acknowledging that while he may not remember the full names of the dishes, they remain his favorites during every visit.