Turkish culture to be discussed at congress

ESKİŞEHİR- Anadolu Agency

The International Turkish Culture Congress, which is organized by the Atatürk Culture Center Directorate every four years, begins today in Eskişehir.

Cultural features of many regions will be discussed at the event, which will be attended by academics and researchers from various countries. The seminars will focus on cultural heritage and will take place from Oct. 24-27.

The Atatürk Culture Center president Professor Turan Karataş said a total of 800 academics will be attending the talks and seminars.

Culture is very important in terms of competition between countries. It is as important as politics and economy he said adding, “The congress aims to emphasize the threats and opportunities in cultural heritage and environment in the Turkish world.”

Culture should also be focused from the part of industry and economy, as well as also be protected and preserved, Karataş said. “We aim to drive culture under the light.”

Karataş added that 110 academics from other countries will be present.

Noting that as an association, they aim to protect Atatürk’s heritage. He said cultural heritage is also very important in Turkey. He also said that UNESCO is doing many new things to protect cultural heritage.

The academics will also discuss cultural heritage that is threatened to vanish with the pressure of technology.

“Turkish culture is not something that is made only by Turkish people; it is made by the Turkish race and it goes back to the Seljuk era,” he said. The marriage traditions, consumption culture, the Ottoman Empire’s flower tradition, dreams and cultural meanings are some of the topics that will be discussed at the congress.

Noting the youth does not know some aspects of Turkish culture, Karataş said we will be preparing a Turkish Culture Dictionary and share it on the digital platform.

First, the dictionary will be Turkish and later it will be translated into other languages.

The Atatürk Culture Center aims to develop culture and pass the traditions to future generations.