Turkey safe harbor for Syrian refugees

PARIS

The Exhibition ‘Safe Harbor Turkey - Restoring Hope,’ featuring Turkey’s support to Syrian refugees, will be open until June 19 at the UNESCO Paris.

The UNESCO Headquarters in Paris is presenting an exhibition from Turkey titled “Safe Harbor Turkey - Restoring Hope,” an interactive photography exhibition highlighting Turkey’s historic humanitarian support and current response to the Syrian refugee crisis.

The opening of the exhibition was held on June 15 with the attendance of UNESCO General Director Irina Bokova, Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ali Kemal Aydın and Hüseyin Avni Botsalı, the permanent delegate of Turkey to UNESCO. 

The sponsor of the exhibition, Selçuk Mayor Zeynel Bakıcı, Deputy Mayor Bülent Cinel, Ephesus Museum Director Cengiz Topal, Paris Commercial Counsellor Serra Aytun, writer Nedim Gürsel and painter Hasan Kaleşi were also present at the opening. 

The exhibition showcases many instances where Turkey has embraced those fleeing to Turkish territories seeking refuge and, despite the heavy burden, striven to address their needs and provide for their safety and livelihood. It also shines a light on this colossal humanitarian phenomenon, which is a burden which cannot be shouldered alone.

In addition to profiling the recent influx of refugees from war-torn Syria, “Safe Harbor Turkey - Restoring Hope” also highlights the stories of individuals and communities from different regions who sought shelter in the territories of the Ottoman Empire and later the Republic of Turkey.

The exhibition can be seen until June 19.