Turkey |
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Art/Archelogy/Culture News
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| 10. |
02 Nov 2011 Wed 12:57 am |
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Kaş prepares for Irish films
KAŞ - Doğan News Agency
Kaş Ancient Theater. Hürriyet photo
An Irish Film Festival will be organized for the first time in the Mediterranean province of Antalya’s Kaş district between Nov. 11 and 13.
The event, the first Irish film festival in Turkey, will take place in Kaş’s Ancient Theater. Four feature-length films will be shown at the two-day festival, namely, “The Wind that Shakes the Barley,” which won the 2006 Cannes Palme d’Or Award; “Once,” a contemporary love story; “In the Name of the Father,” starring Daniel Day-Lewis; as well as “Potcheen.”
The festival will further feature 13 Irish and three Turkish short films while also providing Turkish filmgoers with a chance to learn about Irish culture and history.
All films in the festival will be free of charge.
The directors of the festival, Kate Fennell and Miray Wertien, said they expected at least 2,500 people to attend the festival since it would be organized during the Kurban Bayram holiday
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| 11. |
15 Nov 2011 Tue 03:46 pm |
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Centuries-old Roman theater to again welcome public in capital
ANKARA- Anatolia News Agency
An ancient Roman theater located on Ankara’s Hisarpark Avenue is being restored thanks to excavations that restarted in 2009 after 23 years. The historical theater will become a tourist attraction and host culture events
Works are continuing at the the ancient Roman Theater, which is shown as one of the most important finds in the Turkish capital Ankara. The theater will become a tourist attraction and host cultural and artistic events when the restoration work is completed. AA
An ancient Roman theater in Ankara will soon be open to visitors following the recent restarting of excavations after a hiatus of more than two decades.
“The ancient Roman theater is one of the most important finds in the city,” Doğan Acar, Ankara provincial culture and tourism director, recently told Anatolia news agency.
The theater will become a tourist attraction and host cultural and artistic events when the restoration work is completed, Acar said, adding that the structure’s restoration was part of a larger project that would allow Ankara to acquire the share of the tourism market it deserves.
As part of an Ankara Castle Action Plan, the governor’s office and the municipality have begun work at the Hacı Bayram-ı Veli Mosque and historical Hamamönü around the castle, the director said.
“Now, infrastructure works are continuing at the castle. As part of this plan, the Anatolian Civilizations Museum is carrying out the excavations at the Roman theater,” Acar said.
Over 1,800 years old
The projects to restore the theater in preparation for opening it to the public are currently being evaluated at the Ankara Committee for the Conservation of Cultural Artifacts.
The Roman theater was partially unearthed during excavations carried out under the leadership of the Anatolian Civilizations Museum and with the consultancy of faculty of the Ankara University’s department of classical archaeology, according to information provided by the Anatolian Civilizations Museum.
The structure is located in the southeastern area of the Temple of Augustus and Rome. The 50-by-43.5-meter structure is thought to have been constructed in the second century A.D.
No excavation work was conducted in the ancient theater between 1986 and 2009; only superficial cleaning work was carried out at intervals. The theater area had turned into a garbage site during this period.
In 2009 a team including six archaeologists restarted excavations in the theater under the leadership of the Anatolian Civilizations Museum.
Three buildings, which had been built on the theater area and prevented excavation, were demolished in collaboration with the museum and the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality.
Excavations that continue six months out of the year have been financed by the General Directorate of the Cultural Artifacts and Museums.
The theater is believed to have had a capacity of 3,000 to 5,000 people. The eastern and western entrances of the theater were covered with big blocks and turned into a water pool in the late Roman and early Byzantine period.
Artifacts that have been found at the ancient theater during excavations are being exhibited at the Anatolian Civilizations Museum.
Ceramics and glass pieces from the Romans have also been unearthed during the recent excavations.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Note : Great news. ! when I was a child everytime I passed that place I always wondered why that place was closed..Great place to see..I love historic things..
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| 12. |
15 Nov 2011 Tue 03:55 pm |
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Book on Ottoman seraglio introduced
ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency
Harem ve Cariyelik’ has been prepared to answer questions about the seraglio. AA photo
A new book titled “Harem ve Cariye” (Seraglio and Concubinage) was introduced Sunday at a press conference held at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek said the book was prepared because visitors to the palace asked many questions about the sultan’s private quarter, the seraglio.
“Since the issue of concubinage is highlighted even in television series recently, people are curious about it. The issue of the seraglio is not only about private life, but it is an important institution about the state administration. We have prepared this book to explain the issue better because we are responsible for the palaces. I hope there will be more publications about this issue in the near future,” said Çiçek.
National Palaces Scientific Committee Chairman İlber Ortaylı said the book was written to answer questions about the concept of seraglio in the Ottoman era.
When asked if it was right that concubines were thrown into the sea in a carryall, Ortaylı said, “The killing of sultans’ sons were exaggerated in the period of Mehmet III and Murat III. Murat III had to kill his five brothers because there were separatist movements in Anatolia and his brothers were involved. This situation caused protests and rumors. Throwing concubines into the sea in a carryall is an exaggerated rumor, too.”
Beylerbeyi Palace Deputy Director Cengiz Göncü said the book was one of the efforts to reveal the rich cultural and historical heritage of palaces and mansions.
Note : Sounds like an interesting book.[the book is in Turkish] it might be translated into other languages one day..
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| 13. |
15 Nov 2011 Tue 04:00 pm |
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Turkish director wins at New York short film festival
Doğan News Agency (DHA)
Departures tells the story of Turkish woman´s journey to New York to find her husband. Image capture
Turkish director Ali Yasin Akarçeşme won the award for best drama at the Brownfish Short Film Festival NYC 2011 with his short film "Departures."
Akarçeşme said he enjoyed the first award he won as "a Turkish filmmaker living in America."
"Departures" tells the story of a woman travelling from Istanbul to New York to find her husband after a 10-year separation.
The Brownfish Short Film Festival NYC aims to bring newcomer filmmakers together with moviegoers and distribution and production companies.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
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| 14. |
17 Nov 2011 Thu 04:10 pm |
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Roman bath revealed in İzmir
İZMİR - Anatolia News Agency
İzmir’s ancient city of Metropolis has reentered the archaeological spotlight with the discovery of a Roman bath, which is covered with mosaics and is rectangular and sculptures of Zeus and Thyke. Archeologists also find gladiator figures at Metropolis Ancietn City, which is located between the villages of Yeniköy and Özbek in İzmir
A still-undeciphered seal written in hieroglyphics similar to those of the Hittites has also been found at Metropolis’ acropolis. AA photo
Recent archaeological excavations in İzmir’s ancient city of Metropolis have led to the discovery of a Roman bath featuring a sculpture of the goddess of luck Thyke and a sculpture of Zeus. The excavations also revealed gladiator figures.
Metropolis, which is located between the villages of Yeniköy and Özbek, is the site of many excavations because of its ancient ruins.
Excavation work has been continuing for 20 years with the support of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the Sabancı Foundation, the Metropolis Foundation and Torbalı Municipality, Serdar Aybek, a scholar at Trakya University’s Archaeology Department and the Metropolis excavation president, told Anatolia news agency.
Aybek said there were many cultural aspects in Metropolis that belong to the Geometric period and Hellenistic times. Metropolis was a city of art, according to Aybek.
“Metropolis has a 5,000-year-old history, and it was situated during the early Bronze Age,” Aybek said, and excavations have revealed some ceramic pieces from the early Bronze Age and middle Bronze Age.
During the excavations, archaeologists also found accessories from the Hittite era. Metropolis was situated near the ancient city of Ephesus and all the buildings and sculptures in the city were made with perfection, Aybek said. “Metropolis is a Hellenistic ancient city.”
Ancient Greeks believed Artemis protected the city, he said. “This is something that we have never seen in the Anatolian ancient cities and this makes the Metropolis ancient city even more mysterious,” Aybek said.
During four months of excavations archaeologists unearthed a Roman bath in Metropolis.
“This year we have discovered new buildings in Metropolis,” said Aybek, adding that one of these structures was a 100-square-meter Roman bath.
The bath is covered with mosaics and is rectangular, Aybek said, adding that it included a sports area.
“The new Roman bath unearthed this year is smaller than the other baths in Metropolis,” Aybek said. “Next year, we will focus on these areas.”
The sculptures of Zeus and Thyke were discovered in the bath, which is thought to have been built in the second century B.C. by the Emperor Antininus Pius, Aybek said.
The ancient city of Metropolis was first investigated through archaeological field work in 1972 by Professor Recep Meriç from the Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir. Excavations on the site, which feature Classical, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman traces, began in 1989. The earliest known settlement at the site is from the Neolithic Age, showing evidence of contact and influence with the Troy I littoral culture.
A still-undeciphered seal written in hieroglyphics similar to those of the Hittites has also been found Metropolis’ acropolis. The Hittite kingdom of Arzawa had its capital Apasas (later Ephesus) roughly 30 kilometers to the southwest.
Metropolis was a part of the Hellenistic kingdom of Pergamum, and during this period the city reached a zenith of cultural and economic life. A temple dedicated to the war god Ares, one of only two known such temples, was also located here.
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| 15. |
20 Jul 2012 Fri 02:52 pm |
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Hagia Sophia enters top ten wonder buildings of world
The Lonely Planet website has created a list of the most beautiful buildings in the world, which includes Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, due to the its history and unique architectural characteristics
Hagia Sophia ‘is the great architectural landmark at the heart of Istanbul, with its four minarets poised like moon-bound rockets,’ the website says.
The Lonely Planet website has chosen Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia in its list of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Hagia Sophia “is the great architectural landmark at the heart of Istanbul, with its four minarets poised like moon-bound rockets,” the website said.
Constructed in the 6th century A.D. as an Orthodox church, Hagia Sophia later became a mosque, and since 1935 has been a museum. The base of the building’s dome is ringed by windows, so that from within the structure the dome seems to hover ethereally above the building.
Other buildings on the Lonely Planet list include the Museu Oscar Niemeyer in Brasília, Brazil, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the celebrated architect behind the creation of the Brazilian capital, and the Crac des Chevaliers in Syria, described by T.E. Lawrence as the “finest castle in the world.” The castle may be 800 years old but, like a good botox treatment, it stands tight and taut against the ravages of time.
The Winter Palace in Russia, best known as the outer casing for the remarkable State Hermitage Museum, makes the list. The building was designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli as the winter residence of the Russian tsars. Also on the list is the Imam Mosque in Esfahan, Iran, described as “a tiled wonder.” The stunning 17th-century mosque is completely covered, inside and out, with pale blue and yellow ceramic tiles (an Esfahan trademark), that seem to change color depending on the light conditions.
Source; Hurriyet Daily News
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| 16. |
30 Jul 2012 Mon 10:06 am |
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Unique sculpture found at excavation
HATAY - Doğan News Agency
The newly found sculpture shows motifs similar to other Anatolian figures, but it is very different from other discoveries uncovered so far, says Minister Günay.
Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay has presented a newly discovered Hittite sculpture in Hatay’s Reyhanlı district. “There is no other similar piece in the world, it is unique,” Günay said of the sculpture that was found during excavations at the Tell Tayinat ancient site.
Günay was visiting the area to analyze the excavation works, and the presenting event took place at Hatay Archaeology Museum. The excavation works are being conducted under Toronto University Archaeology professor Timothy Harrison.
The excavations have been ongoing since 2004 at the Tell Tayinat Tumulus, said Günay, who also thanked the excavation team for uncovering such a valuable piece. Noting that in June the team also found a number of other very valuable Anatolian figures, Günay said this new discovery was unique. “This sculpture is different. It is 1.5 meters long and it weighs 1.5 tons … It is a figure with a beard and long hair, and it seems to be holding a weapon. This shows that the society in these lands that it came from was a warrior one.”
Noting that these sculptures revealed life before Christ, Günay said the founding also shed light on the early Hittite era in Turkey.
“This discovery reveals the Anatolian life in Turkey. This find is not Roman or Greek,” he said.
The sculpture shows motifs similar to other Anatolian figures, but it is very different from other discoveries uncovered so far, said Günay. Although it is made of basalt stone, the eyes of the sculpture are artificial.
The rest of the sculpture has not been found, indicating that it may well have been damaged. However, the upper part is in very good condition, said Günay, who added that he had never seen such a big sculpture anywhere else in the world.
The sculpture has been sent to the Hatay Archeology Museum, where it will be restored by a professional team. The excavation team at Tell Tayinat comes from all over the world, including Canada, Turkey, and the United States.
During Günay’s visit, excavation president Harrison showed the sculpture to the press. Harrison also showed that there is writing that says “Suppiluliuma” at the back of the sculpture.
Note : That is something..! I have not seen such sculpture before... I like Hittites..
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| 17. |
28 Aug 2012 Tue 12:12 pm |
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Statue of Hittite king to be used for Turkey´s 2013 promotional videos and ads
A 3,000-year-old statue of the Hittite king Suppiluliuma II was discovered in Tell Ta’yinat, a low-lying ancient tumulus.(Photo: AA)
27 August 2012 / TODAY´S ZAMAN, ISTANBUL
The statue of Hittite King Suppiluliuma II will be used in Turkey´s 2013 promotional videos and advertisements.
Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay stated that the statue of Suppiluliuma II, unearthed recently in the southern province of Hatay by an excavation team headed by the University of Toronto´s Dr. Timothy P. Harrison, will be used in Turkey´s 2013 promotional videos and advertisements.
A team of experts discovered the statue in Tell Ta´yinat, a low-lying ancient tumulus, on the eastern bank at a bend in the ancient Orontes River. The site is near the town of Reyhanlı in Hatay, about 25 kilometers southeast of Antakya (ancient Antioch).
The primary source of funding for the excavation comes from the University of Toronto and the National Research Council of Canada, with additional funding coming from Turkey´s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other foundations.
Günay added that the statue of Suppiluliuma II will be an important aspect of the Hatay Archeological Museum. “The statue will also be the symbol of the Hatay Archeological Museum. We will put the statue at the highest place in the museum. The statue is a big gain for Turkey,” continued the minister.
Günay said the statues of the other civilizations found in Turkey are also part of the richness of Turkey, but the statue of Suppiluliuma II is a statue that truly belongs to Anatolia because of its Hittite origin. So “the statue will be Turkey´s tourism envoy in 2013 by means of its presence in the promotional advertisements and videos,” said Günay.
The head of the statue is a colossal one-and-a-half meters in height, weighing one-and-a-half tons, with a beard and a stylized cap of curly hair. While the find is well-preserved, it constitutes only the top half of the artifact; the remainder has yet to be located. Its arms are decorated with wristbands and the statue holds a lance in one hand and a shaft of wheat in the other.
The statue has a very well-preserved Hieroglyphic Luwian inscription on the back.
According to Dr. Harrison, the features of the statue are well preserved. Although other, larger statues from the Hittite period have been found, “the context in which they were found was not recorded and they were not as finely crafted,” noted Harrison.
Suppiluliuma II was reportedly the last king of the Hittite Empire. He conducted the first recorded naval battle against Cypriots in history. The king is believed to have ruled between 1178 and 1027 B.C.
The statue of the Hittite king has drawn the attention of children, as well. Children, including Minister Günay´s daughter, have nicknamed the statue “Şuppi.”
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| 18. |
28 Aug 2012 Tue 05:04 pm |
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I particularly like his orange sweatband 
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| 19. |
03 Jan 2014 Fri 02:53 pm |
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Anatolia´s oldest Parliament unveiled in Assos at cross paths of Plato and Aristotle
[ Anadolu´nun En Eski Parlamentosu gün yüzüne çıktı]
The Parliament building in Çanakkale’s ancient city of Assos dates back 2,400 years ago. It was built by the members of one of the leading families in the city. AA photos
The oldest Parliament building in the ancient era was established in the ancient city of Assos 2,400 years ago in the northwestern province of Çanakkale.
The ancient city is located within the borders of the Ayvacık district. Home to Plato´s second academy, Assos hosted another illustrious Greek philosopher, Aristotle, in the 4th century.
The head of the excavations in the ancient city, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University academic Professor Nurettin Arslan said the Parliament buildings were first discovered in 5th and 6th century B.C. in Athens and democracy extended to other countries after being improved there.
Older than Millet´s Parliament
He said the earliest Parliament buildings in Anatolia had so far been believed to be built in 2nd B.C., adding, “For example Millet. The inscriptions on a building, which prove the building was a Parliament, can be seen in only three buildings in Anatolia, such as Millet, Aigia and Epirus.”
Arslan said research in recent years brought to light the inscription of the Parliament building in Assos.
He said, “This building in Assos was built by Ladomos and his wife, members of the one of leading families in the ancient city. The inscription dates back to the end of the 4th century B.C. Our examination shows that it is not the same with other examples in Anatolia. Unlike other Parliament buildings, these seats are made of wood in this building. It is stone in other assemblies. When you consider its plan, the nearest example to the Parliament in Assos is the one in the Athens agora, where people gathered to discuss administration, politics and trade affairs.”
Arslan said the illustrious philosopher Aristotle could be the reason for the establishment of the Parliament building in Assos. He said, “Because we know Aristotle stayed in Assos in the middle of the 4th century. We can also say Plato’s second academy was also established here. One is in Athens and the second branch is in Assos. Thanks to this academy, the people of Assos received significant information about democracy or the regime in Athens. After Aristotle left the city, this region was occupied by the Persians and people did not have the chance to realize this information in real life, in a manner quite like Aristotle’s forms. But when Alexander the Great set foot in Anatolia, the people of Assos realized the doctrines of Aristotle and built the first Parliament building in Anatolia.”
He noted the Parliament building dated back to 2,400 years ago, and said, “We can say Assos was the first city in history to be managed by philosophers.”
January/03/2014
Source : http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/anatolias-oldest-parliament-unveiled-in-assos-at-cross-paths-of-plato-and-aristotle.aspx?pageID=238&nID=60471&NewsCatID=375
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| 20. |
04 Sep 2014 Thu 12:37 pm |
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Hittite civilization discussed at congress
ÇORUM – Anadolu Agency
After six years, Çorum again hosts the International Hittitology Congress. The congress, held every three years, will continue throughout the week
The congress is held every three years, creating a space for the discussion of the Hittite and Anatolian civilizations.
The Ninth International Hittitology Congress, organized by Hitit University in the province of Çorum, began on Sept. 1 with 196 academics from 23 countries participating.
The congress is held every three years, creating a space for the discussion of the Hittite and Anatolian civilizations. The first congress was held in Çorum in 1990.
In his opening speech, Çorum Governor Sabri Başköy stated the Hittite civilization was tied to Çorum, home to many civilizations throughout its history.
“Archaeological works have continued for many years in five different locations in Çorum, including the ancient sites of Hattusha, Alacahöyük, Şapinuva, Eskiyapar and Resuloğlu. We, as the governor’s office, visit the excavation areas and make the necessary contributions,” he said. He added that the excavation areas have seen many changes since the last conference held in Çorum.
Source : http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hittite-civilization-discussed-at-congress.aspx?pageID=238&nID=71211&NewsCatID=375
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