Historical Artifacts return to go on display

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Dolmabahçe and Topkapı Palaces have hosted many exhibitions. Four-century-old tiled stoves and clocks have attracted many visitors.

In recent times Turkey has brought many of its smuggled artifacts back to the country. It has also become a hub where many artifacts that have signified many different places and cultures throughout history are displayed.

Turkey is currently keeping a very diverse and valuable cultural heritage on its soil, according to many experts.

The smuggled artifacts have been given back to the museums. These artifacts are also sent to exclusive exhibitions to be displayed in other museums or in embassies.

The artifacts that are sent to other cities or countries are given by the guarantee. On the other hand, there have been many technical agreements signed relating to the display of artifacts in other countries.

Many artifacts that Turkey has obtained on loan from other countries have been brought to the country to be displayed in Turkish museums, making these artifacts accessible for Turkish people view.

Exhibitions in abroad

According to the Tourism and Culture Ministry’s latest announcement and information, the Cultural Entity and Museums General Directorate organized 37 exhibitions abroad and 53 in Turkey between 2005 and 2012. Other countries have hosted many exhibitions from Turkey. Portugal, Qatar, Japan, England, France, the U.S., South Korea, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden, Spain, Hungary, Russia and Belgium are the countries that have hosted Turkish exhibitions.

In England, the London Royal Academy of Arts hosted an exhibition in 2005, in which by 262,582 visitors came to view the works.

The Spanish cities of Barcelona and Valencia hosted the “West Portrayed by East” exhibition in 2005 and 2006. These exhibitions displayed eight manuscripts and books that were chosen from the Atatürk Library.

In Japan, during the “Expo 2005 World Exhibition,” the Turkish pavilion presented itself with 24 different artifacts that had been transferred from Turkish museums. The Turkish pavilion was visited by 662, 282 people.

Furthermore, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the Kyoto Museum and the Nagoya City Museum hosted Turkish art works between 2007 and 2008 during the exhibition titled “Topkapı Palace Treasures – Magnificent Ottoman.”

In Germany, the Frankfurt Arts Museum organized an exhibition and book fair at which Turkey was the guest of honor, with a total of 98 art works from Topkapı Museum displayed.

Exhibitions in Turkey

Dolmabahçe and Topkapı Palaces have hosted many exhibitions. Four-century-old tiled stoves at Dolmabahçe Palace were being displayed in various parts of the mansion for the benefit of visitors during January 2013.

The stoves, which are between one and 2.5 meters in length, were placed on the walking route of palace visitors.

Additionally, the United Arab Emirates Culture Days brought 70 calligraphy works to Dolmabahçe art gallery in an exhibit titled “El-Burde.” The works were selected as part of a calligraphy competition judged by calligraphy historian and expert Professor Uğur Derman and calligraphy artists Mehmed Özçay and Müzehhib Necati Sancaktutan.

Historical clocks in Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace’s rare mechanical clock collection were damaged when they fell from their display perch June 2, daily Radikal reported. One of the 250-year-old clocks suffered irreparable damage while the second sustained only minor damage after the chains that held the clocks in place broke.

A report on the circumstances surrounding the incident, prepared by museum representatives for the Tourism and Culture Ministry, revealed that the chains used were not in good condition and unable to properly secure the clocks in place. The report went on to say that the more heavily damaged clock would be impossible to repair.