With the valuable contributions of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) and Çankaya Municipality, an important event was organized with the aim of disseminating scientific research on Türkiye’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Hosted by the Academic Thought Institute Association, “II. Türkiye’s Historical and Cultural Heritage Symposium from Göbeklitepe to the Present” brought together expert academics and invitees. With intense participation from different cities, various universities and professional groups, the symposium paved the way for critical discussions on the preservation of our heritage and its transfer to future generations.
Experts in Their Fields Came Together
The symposium was attended by important names such as Kastamonu Former Governor Dr. Enis Yeter, Cultural and Natural Heritage Department Project Coordinator Bekir Ödemiş, AKK Deputy Chairman Prof. Dr. Savaş Zafer Şahin, Cultural Heritage Protection Branch Manager Sinem Battaloğlu and Ministry of Culture and Tourism Fight Against Smuggling Abroad Branch Manager Burcu Özdemir. These valuable participants made significant contributions to the content and discussions of the symposium.
New Approaches in Cultural Heritage Management
The main theme of the symposium was determined as “Cultural Heritage Management”. In this context, responsible and authorized persons in cultural heritage management and academics conducting research in the field came together to evaluate current problems and solution proposals. The symposium contributed significantly to the emergence of innovative approaches in the field of cultural heritage management and the increase in knowledge in this field.
The Role of Municipalities in Cultural Heritage Protection was Emphasized
Bekir Ödemiş, Project Coordinator of the ABB Cultural and Natural Heritage Department, drew attention to the increasing role of municipalities in the protection of cultural heritage in his speech at the symposium. Ödemiş stated that in the past, municipalities did not have any authority or responsibility in this regard, but this situation changed with the legal regulations made in 2005. He emphasized that the establishment of the Historical Cities Union and the legal regulations in question played a critical role in the development of cultural heritage awareness in local governments and in the achievement of significant successes throughout Turkey. This speech once again revealed the responsibility of local governments in the protection and preservation of cultural heritage.
