Renovated buildings and exhibition halls of the Istanbul Archeology Museums affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which is shown as the museum of firsts and greatest, met with art lovers.
The opening ceremony, which was held in the garden of the museum and presented by Pelin Çift, started with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem.
Speaking at the opening, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that as the Ministry, they have achieved great success in the field of cultural assets and museology in the last 20 years.
“Turkey is one of the countries that carry out the most archaeological studies in the world”
Pointing out that they have taken very important steps for the protection of cultural heritage, Ersoy said, “We have opened new museums that present valuable works with a modern museology approach, and we continue to do so. We renewed our existing museums. With the museums we have built in recent years, we have become one of the leading countries that target the world in the field of museology. With their innovative exhibition formats and educational activities, our museums have turned into cultural institutions that are pointed out and awarded after prize in the world.” said.
Minister Ersoy underlined that cultural assets are the common memory of everyone and continued as follows:
“'Every illegal excavation that takes place in our country is a blow to this memory.' We protected our unique values. We achieved one of the greatest achievements in history in the fight against smuggling in the name of protecting cultural heritage. In the last 20 years, with the initiatives of our Ministry, we have ensured the return of 9 thousand 32 historical artifacts from abroad to our country. As in museums and the fight against smuggling, we have become a world leader in archaeological excavations. Last year, we carried out a total of 670 archaeological activities such as excavations, researches and similar works, ranging from Paleolithic to Neolithic, from classical times to Turkish and Islamic archeology. Turkey is one of the countries that carry out the most archaeological studies in the world. Turkish archeology has become one of the most important stakeholders of world archeology, both with its excavations, with its conservation studies and with its scientific publications.
Explaining that they extended the working periods of 143 archaeological excavations during the year, Ersoy stated that they ensured active excavation and research in 12 months of the year.
“We have increased the number of protected areas in our country more than 20 times in the last 3 years to 22 thousand 233”
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, stating that their work is one of the most important and major works in both the history of Turkey and the world, said, “Our 'Stone Hills' Project, an internationally participated archeology project for Neolithic Age research, has become an archaeological study that is unique in the world. As a part of this project, which all scientists from all over the world have listened to, we will organize the 'World Neolithic Congress' in Şanlıurfa in 2023. With these, we increased the number of sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List from 9 to 19. We have increased the number of protected areas in our country more than 20 times in the last 3 years to 22 thousand 233.” he said.
Explaining that museology and archeology in these lands started with the struggles to say "Stop" to the looting and to protect the abducted artifacts, Minister Ersoy said:
“The Museum-i Hümayun, which was founded in 1869, crossed an important threshold when Osman Hamdi Bey became the museum director in 1881. Despite all the shortcomings and impossibilities, Osman Hamdi Bey opened the door from a small museum to an imperial museum. With the museum building built in 2 under the patronage of Sultan Abdulhamid II, the Museum-i Hümayun grew, developed, opened branches and came to this day. Today, our 1891-year-old sycamore, which is among the most important museums of the world in terms of both quality and quantity, is entering a new era in harmony with the rapidly changing and developing world museum understanding and technological developments. With the 'Istanbul Archeology Museums Earthquake Strengthening, Restoration and Display Arrangement Project' initiated by our Ministry in 131, the main building of the museum, called the classical building, and its exhibition were renewed.
Earthquake strengthening works were carried out in all halls of the classical building between hall 8 and hall 32. The works on the ground floor were renewed, supported by labels and information boards in accordance with modern museology standards. A theme was determined for each exhibition hall, and the display was brought to life with graphic designs suitable for this theme on the walls of the hall. All lighting systems in the halls were renewed using the latest technological possibilities of today. The harmony of texture, light, color, scale and theme in the exhibition, the layout that appeals to the perception capacity of the visitor, and the rate of use of digital applications formed the design principles of the classical building of the Istanbul Archeology Museums. Five thousand new works including sculptures and reliefs, sarcophagi, figurines, architectural covering plates, treasure works and ceramics, two thousand of which are coins, have started to be exhibited in the newly organized halls.
Pointing out that they will continue the renovation of the Ancient Orient Museum and the Tiled Kiosk Museum and the northern wing of the Classical Building within the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Ersoy said, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to our President, who has always been by our side with his interest and patronage. Everyone can be sure that every cultural property owned by our country and civilization will be carefully preserved, shared with humanity in the most effective way, and this blessed trust will be safely transferred to the future by transferring it to our future generations.” she said.
At the ceremony, the Istanbul Symphony Orchestra gave a mini concert and sang the "Hamidiye March", "Yine Bir Gülnihal" and "Nihaved Longa".
The light show specially prepared for the museum was also presented to the taste of the participants.
The opening was also attended by the Governor of Istanbul Ali Yerlikaya, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Ahmet Misbah Demircan, as well as AK Party deputies and many guests.
Be the first to comment