From the reopening of the green dome of Konya and the first church in the Republic of Turkey, to the discovery of the ancient city and the increasing number of cultural heritage sites on the UNESCO list, here are the cultural walks that Turkey presents to us in 2023.
As 2023 comes to a close, Turkey has witnessed many firsts in the field of arts and culture.
In the cultural sector, new buildings were unveiled and existing buildings were restored and reopened;In the field of art, Turkish artists are known all over the world and have made worldwide progress.
In addition, this year has witnessed new discoveries of ancient cities, as well as the increasing number of Turkish cultural heritage sites being inscribed on the UNESCO list.
We have collected some of the important moments that have special significance for Turkey.
January 2023
The Rami Library was opened in the 18th century during the Ottoman period in the Rami barracks
Inaugurated in early 2023, Istanbul's Rami Library is housed in an 18th-century building that was previously a military barracks.
The library is the largest comprehensive library in Europe, with a collection of millions of volumes, and a dedicated library and public areas that appeal to readers of all ages.
May 2023
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art opens in Galatata Port
After the inauguration of the new building designed by Renzo Piano's architectural studio, Istanbul Modern Art is back on the seaside of the Istanbul Strait, with pigeons and seagulls flying happily in the reflecting pool on the terrace level.
The new Istanbul Museum of Modern Art covers an area of 10,500 square meters and showcases works of art from 1945 to the present day.
May 2023
Refik Arnado's work "Living Architecture" is exhibited at Gaudí's Casa Batlló
Refik Anadol, a well-known Turkish digital artist, has crafted the audiovisual show "Living Architecture: Casa Batlló" at Gaudí's Casa Batlló in honor of the outstanding Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, who died in 1926.
Anado took advantage of the climate data he collected in real time from the city of Barcelona and carried out archival research with the team at Casa Batlló. He redesigned the building and used the building's façade as a canvas to create a dynamic AI data sculpture.
A mapped version of the work was projected on Casa Batlló, and nearly 70,000 viewers ** the work. The work was also exhibited in Rockefeller Square, Manhattan, New York.
June 2023
Turkish artist's "OpenWork" won the London Biennale Public Prize
Zeynep Melek Bulut's artwork "OpenWork" has begun to receive visitors at the Ataturk Cultural Centre and has been exhibited throughout London, winning the London Biennale Public Prize.
The work was later included in the "Red Book" prepared by the "Lord of London" and the "Victoria and Albert Museum" special jury, listing the most influential works of the last 20 years.
Through her work, the artist asks the question: "When we reach the end of the material world, what does art create, and how do people relate to it?".”
June 2023
Yasar Kemal's famous work "The Legend of a Thousand Cows" has been adapted into a cross-cultural ** drama
The famous 1971 "Binbogalar Efsanesi" (Legend of a Thousand Cows), written by the late Turkish ** Yasar Kemal, was adapted into a play and premiered at the 51st Istanbul ** Festival on June 17.
A group of ** families, including the American Michael Ellison and the German Ulrich Mertin, turned Kemal's words into a universe of sounds and beats.
They incorporate traditional Turkish instruments and vocal styles into the modern world**, adding to the cultural exchange.
June 2023
The 357-year-old Vanikoy Mosque was renovated and opened as a community center
After the devastating fire in November 2020, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism quickly activated the comprehensive restoration of the badly damaged vanikoy mosque.
The Vanikoy Mosque (also known as the Vani Mehmed Efendi Mosque) is a testament to its historical and architectural grandeur, having been reborn from the ashes to new splendor.
The new form of the building transforms it into a community center, in line with the concept of a mosque in Islam, a place that embraces all. From now on, it is not only a place of worship for Istanbul residents, but also enriches their social life.
September 2023
Rumi's heritage green dome is back open to the public
Kubbe-i Hadra, also known as the Green Dome, is a landmark of the Mevlana Museum, Turkey's most visited museum, which has reopened after three years and three months of restoration work.
Approximately 8,500 locally produced ceramics have been lovingly restored using Khorasan mortar.
Now, Konya locals and visitors to Mevlana alike celebrate the rejuvenating glory of the iconic dome, along with its original Anatolian Seljuk brick structure and traditional turquoise tiles.
September 2023
The first church in the history of the Republic of Turkey welcomed visitors
The Syrian Orthodox Church of St. Ephraim (St. Everym) in the Yesilkoy district on the European side of IstanbulEphrem Syriac Orthodox Church) was the first church built during the era of the Turkish Republic and has now opened its doors to the faithful.
The church is designed to be five floors and is located in a vacant lot in the Yehirkoiradin Catholic Cemetery.
One of the floors was reserved as a cultural hall for the community to gather after Mass or ceremonies such as baptisms, funerals, and weddings, as well as for meetings and conventions. On the ground floor is the bishop's residence, guest rooms and parking lot.
September 2023
The ancient city of Gordion in Turkey is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List
According to UNESCO**, Gordion is listed as one of the most important historical centers of the ancient Near East.
The ancient site is located about 90 kilometers southwest of Ankara, at the crossroads of the great empires of Assyria, Babylon, Hittite, and Rome in the east.
The site occupies a strategic position on almost all the ** routes connecting the Aegean, the Mediterranean and the Near East throughout history.
September 2023
Discover a new Indo-European language family in the Turkish Hatusha language
A new language has been discovered in the ritual texts inscribed on stone tablets at the ruins of Hatusha, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire.
Ceremonial texts written by Hittite scribes reflect a variety of traditions and linguistic backgrounds in Anatolia, Syria, and Mesopotamia.
Experts say the discovery provides valuable insight into the mystical linguistic landscape of Late Bronze Age Anatolia (circa 1600–1200 BC), where Hittite languages were not widely spoken.
September 2023
Discover the complete altar in central Turkey
An excavation in the heart of the ancient city of S**atra in central Turkey has revealed an extraordinary altar containing ancient Greek inscriptions.
Through the inscription on the altar, it is discovered that it was donated to the theater by an organization or dynasty called "Aurelia" (Aurelia), located in the area.
Experts emphasize that this discovery provides information for a comprehensive understanding of the theaters of that era, as well as the cultural and social structures of that era.
September 2023
The violinist of the Azerbaix Concert Society won the second prize in the Polish International Competition
Born in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, Elvin Hoxha Ganiyev has won various honors in international competitions, most recently winning second place in the final of the Karol Szymanowski International Competition in Poland with the accompaniment of the orchestra for his performance of Szymanovsky's Violin Concerto No. 1.
October 2023
The first Sama ceremony was held at the Mevlevi Lodge in Bursa after 98 years
Bursa Mevlevi Lodge was established in 1615 by order of the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I, closed in 1925 and restored by the city of Bursa**.
Once again, the four-century-old inn was officially inaugurated in town with ornate ceiling decorations, intricate wood carvings and harmonious landscaping.
Consisting of various parts such as a revolving hall, a tomb, a noble courtyard, a kitchen, a revolving dervish room and an elegant reception area, the cottage has always been a symbol of the region's heritage.
October 2023
Ilhami Atale won the 2023 Culture and Art Award in the field of painting
Ilhami Atalay is a 75-year-old artist, tapestry weaver, and carpet designer who inspires diverse artists and art lovers from all walks of life through weekly art classes at the Istanbul Design Center.
Committed to maintaining the traditional master-apprentice relationship in Turkish arts and crafts and on the other hand promoting diversity in the art world, Attalai welcomes individuals from different backgrounds and experiences from the Sultan Ahmet Center.
November 2023
Turkey was elected to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee
Turkey was elected as a member of the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for the period 2023-2027.
Turkey has previously served as a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee twice, from 1983 to 1989 and from 2013 to 2017.
November 2023
The city of Stratonic Gladiators found children's footprints from 1900 years ago
Children's footprints have been found in the ancient city of Stratonikeia (also known as the city of gladiators) in the province of Mugla in western Turkey.
The ancient city of Stratonica is also included in the provisional list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is known as one of the largest marble cities in the world.
Significant during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, as well as the Anatolian principalities, Ottomans, and republics, the ancient city has important artifacts.
December 7, 2023
Four new cultural elements of Turkey are included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List
Turkey's iftar traditions, mother-of-pearl mosaics, illumination and mey balaban performing arts were inscribed on the UNESCO list this year.
This development places Turkey in second place among the countries with the highest number of inscriptions on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in the world.
The number of cultural values on the list also reached 30.
December 2023
Dozens of historical artifacts will be shipped back to Turkey from the United States
Thanks to successful cooperation with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the Department of Homeland Security's Investigative Division, these illegally taken Anatolian artworks were planned to be shipped back to Turkey.
Forty-one cultural assets, including bronze heads, busts and silver statues, are being returned, bringing the total number of artifacts returned to Turkey to 30,059.