EU-funded Turkish Institute of Archaeology, Cultural Heritage Unveiled in Gaziantep

BTA correspondent Nora Cholakova, Dimitrina Solakova

Turkish Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in Gaziantep (BTA Photo)

Gaziantep, South-Central Turkiye,

26.10.2023 11:58

(BTA)

The first Turkish Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage was inaugurated at an official ceremony in the city of Gaziantep on Thursday. The Institute, established with the support of the European Union, was unveiled on the eve of the Republic's 100th anniversary.

The Institute includes an archaeometry laboratory, a specialized archaeology library, a turkology library, an exhibition and conference hall and offices. There are also a restored church and a Latin school built in 1860.

The total cost of the project is EUR 8,355,730, with EU funding amounting to EUR 6,706,236. It was implemented by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism in cooperation with Gaziantep Municipality and with the help of some 450 scientists and experts.

Attending the opening ceremony were Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Gaziantep Wali Kemal Çeber, Gaziantep Mayor Fatma Şahin, as well as by representatives of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, archaeologists, scientists, and experts.

In his speech, Meyer-Landrut said that the main objective of the project was to improve intercultural dialogue between Türkiye and the EU by preserving and promoting their common cultural heritage. The Institute will provide access to the treasures of the archaeological and historical heritage of the ancient Anatolian and Mediterranean civilizations, he said.

"In light of the worst that we have witnessed in the last weeks [the Israeli-Palestinian conflict], it is extremely important that all of us increase our efforts for peace, intercultural dialogue, and tolerance as a common task. Intolerance breeds conflicts, and conflicts breed division. We should promote understanding and tolerance as well as strengthen dialogue and solidarity. That is why every civilization, every religion, and every culture should be tolerant and recognize the right to be different," Meyer-Landrut said.

Çeber said that he is very concerned over the fact that a huge number of historical artifacts have been smuggled out of the Anatolian lands to various parts of the world. Serious efforts are made to return these artifacts in Türkiye, he added. In his words, these lands have been the home of many civilizations, and the Institute will serve to preserve humanity's common cultural heritage.

Şahin said that Gaziantep Municipality has for a long time made effort to create the Institute. It has a sentimental value for Gaziantep's residents, because the balcony of the Latin school is where the founder of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, stood during his address to the Turkish citizens in 1933 thanking them for their contribution during the Turkish War of Independence.

/MR/