(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Laman Ismayilova read more The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has
organized an exhibition 'XIX century Cultural Heritage of the
Turkic World through the Yildiz Palace Photograph Collection' in
Istanbul, Azernews reports.
The exhibition opened on the occasion of the 100th anniversary
of the founding of the Republic of Turkiye.
Around 75 photographs from the Yildiz collection, which were
taken during the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II period and contain
the cultural heritage of the Turkic world, have been chosen for the
exhibition.
Notably, the Yildiz collection is one of the richest photo
archives in the world. Nearly 918 albums and 36,585 photographs are
included in the collection.
Among the photographs depicting centuries-old architectural
samples in the geographies stretching from Samarkand to Edirne,
there are material and cultural monuments in the UNESCO World
Heritage List from Samarkand, Bukhara, Hokand, Khiva, Shirvanshahs
Palace in Baku, Kars Abu Manuchohr Mosque, the first mosque built
in Anatolia, Khoja Ahmed Yasavi Tomb in Turkestan, monuments
belonging to Istanbul, Konya, Ashgabat, and other cities.
A letter addressed to the opening of the exhibition by President
of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan was read out in the official part
of the event.
The letter highlights the large-scale activity of the
International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in the
direction of protecting the cultural and spiritual values of the
Turkic people, introducing them to the world, and passing them on
to future generations. In the message, it was underlined that the
exhibition will contribute to the strengthening of fraternal ties
between the Turkic states.
President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage
Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva touched upon the admirable development
and rapid progress in all areas of life over the past century in
Turkiye.
She noted that Turkiye's numerous achievements, and steadfast
position, constantly demonstrated in the face of difficulties and
obstacles, led to its recognition as an influential and strong
country in the international arena.
The foundation president hailed the fraternal relations between
Turkiye and the sovereign Turkic republics. She drew attention to
the fact that the country enjoys great authority in the Turkic
World.
'Turkiye's success, from the independent Turkic states to the
minority Turkic peoples, which have historically been separated
from the Turkic geography for various reasons, make them happy,
proud, and united, inspiring a bright future in solidarity,' said
Afandiyeva.
'This photo collection is a sign of the gentle spirit of Sultan
Abdulhamid II, who wholeheartedly believed in the saving power of
culture and art, and whose 105th death anniversary was commemorated
this year. This collection is the meeting of the 623-year-old
prominent Ottoman Empire with the rapidly rising Turkish Republic
in the modern era. It is the reception of the blessings of the past
as we enter a new century,' she added.
In her speech, Gunay Afandiyeva outlined that the photo
collection is a graceful look at the mysterious cities of the
member and observer states of the International Turkic Culture and
Heritage Foundation. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye,
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Hungary are clear proof of the
culture of urban planning developed since ancient times, a noble
indicator. It is the discovery of the different characteristics of
the architectural examples belonging to the Turkic world and at the
same time the return of the cultural heritage to life.
In his remarks, Turkish Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism
Ozgul Ozkan Yavuz pointed out that the foundation has been
implementing major projects in priority areas since its
inception.
He drew attention to the golden age of photography during the
reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II.
'Yildiz Palace has a large collection of photographs reflecting
the cultural heritage of different countries of the world. We, as
the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, support the work carried out
in the direction of the promotion and research of this archive,' he
said.
He stressed that awareness of the common cultural heritage of
the Turkic states is extremely important and emphasized
'We highly appreciate the organization of events that showcase
the culture and art of the Turkic peoples,' he concluded.
Deputy Chairman of the National Palaces Administration Adnan
Gayhan said that the Yildiz photo collection is a source of
knowledge about the ancient Ottoman Empire and the world as a
whole, as well as a valuable treasure for the Turkic people and a
cultural heritage of humanity
He emphasized the exhibition's importance in a broader study of
the Turkic Islamic civilization, which has been preserved through a
common history, language, religion, cultural values, and
traditions.
The book 'Turkic cultural heritage in Ottoman archives'
published by the International Turkic Culture and Heritage
Foundation was presented to the guests among whom were Chief
Advisor to the President of the Republic of Tгrkiye Fecir Alptekin,
Secretary General of TURKPA Mehmet Süreyya Er, Deputy Secretary
General of the Organization of Turkic States Omer Kocaman, Deputy
Secretary General of TURKSOY Bilal Çakıcı, Rector of Memar Sinan
University Handan Inci Elсhi, Kazakh Ambassador to Turkiye
Yerkebulan Sapiyev, Consul General of Azerbaijan in Istanbul
Narmina Mustafayeva, Consul General of Kyrgyzstan in Istanbul Lira
Sydykova, Head of the National Heritage Agency of Uzbekistan
Bahodır Abdykarimov, Director of the Hungarian Cultural Center
Gabor Fodor, diaspora and media representatives.
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