Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy met with members of the press after the opening program of the Antalya Culture Road Festival, which was held for the 4th time this year. Ersoy made statements about the current issues.
"WE ARE CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE CULTURE AND ART AREA IN HAYDARPAŞA"
Minister Ersoy said that they aim to put the first stages of the Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci projects into service in 2027 and continued as follows:
"However, we encountered some unforeseen situations during the work. It is possible to encounter such situations in registered historical buildings. We are not just talking about a single station building here. We are talking about large areas with many historical buildings built in different periods. For this reason, we evaluate the current situation, load-bearing system and protection needs of each building separately.
We are creating a comprehensive culture and art area in Haydarpaşa. The main station building will continue to maintain its transportation function. In addition, we are preparing a large library that appeals to all age groups, areas for manuscripts, exhibition halls, art and design workshops and multi-purpose culture and arts venues. We aim to realize the first archaeological museum of the Anatolian Side here. "With the archeopark and open event areas, we will bring an important culture and art center to Istanbul."
"WE ARE CREATING A MIGRATION MUSEUM IN SİRKECİ"
Ersoy said, "A different historical narrative will come to the fore in Sirkeci. We are creating a migration museum here. Because Sirkeci has a special place in Turkey's migration history. Migrations to Europe, arrivals from the Balkans to Turkey and historical railway lines hold an important place in the memory of this area. In Haydarpaşa, there will be contents addressing the history of the railway extending to Anatolia and the role of the station during war periods. A culture-art center of this scale is needed on the Anatolian Side. "Haydarpaşa will respond to this need to a significant extent. We see Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci as two new centers that will make significant contributions to the cultural and artistic life of Istanbul. We aim to open the first stages in 2027. We are advancing the implementation schedule in line with scientific findings and conservation requirements." he said.
"THE MOST EXTENSIVE RESTORATION WORKS IN THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC ARE BEING CONDUCTED IN HAGIA SOPHIA"
Minister Ersoy stated that they carried out the most comprehensive restoration, conservation and strengthening work in Hagia Sophia in the history of the Republic and said, "Our professors in the scientific committee state that these works are one of the most comprehensive interventions after the period of Mimar Sinan. We also work in sections that have not been intervened before or where intervention is very difficult. Important strengthening activities are carried out, especially regarding the dome and carrier systems. Since Hagia Sophia is a very valuable cultural heritage, every step we take is subject to scientific investigations. While keeping Hagia Sophia open to worship and visits, we ensure the safety of the building and the safety of the building." "We are carrying out extremely sensitive engineering work that will preserve its original texture." he said.
"THE UNDERGROUND OF HAGIA SOPHIA IS AS INTERESTING AS ITS SUPERSTRUCTURE"
Stating that extensive work is being carried out underground in Hagia Sophia, Ersoy said:
"There are historical tunnels, water channels, cellars and places used for different purposes. The cleaning, documentation and protection of these areas continues. Approximately 3 thousand tons of mud and rubble have been removed so far. Thus, it has become possible to examine previously inaccessible areas. As we progress in some sections, we reach new places. These structures also provide important information about the historical water management and infrastructure of Istanbul.
We are investigating underground systems that have functions such as rainwater drainage and water distribution. Some sections are large enough for people to pass through. The studies carried out in the 4-room underground tomb in the northeast section, that is, the hypogeum, also contribute to our understanding of the traces dating back to older periods than Hagia Sophia.
Hagia Sophia's underground is at least as interesting as its superstructure. We would like to introduce these areas to our press members in the near future and show you our work on site. Then, we aim to introduce the appropriate sections, where the necessary protection, security and visitor infrastructure works have been completed, to our people. Scientific investigations and security conditions will determine which areas can be opened to visitors. Thus, we will enable the recognition of the historical layers of Hagia Sophia that cannot be seen today. "We protect Fatih's legacy with a holistic approach, from its dome to its underground structures."
"FORMULA 1 IS A GREAT INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PROMOTION OF Türkiye AND ISTANBUL"
Stating that they do not see Formula 1 only as a racing organization, Ersoy said, "We consider Formula 1 as a great international communication opportunity for the promotion of Turkey and Istanbul. We divided our strategy into three periods: before Formula 1, during Formula 1 and after Formula 1. We want to extend the travel time of visitors coming to Turkey for Formula 1. For example, a visitor can have a holiday in the Aegean before the race, then come to Istanbul and watch Formula 1. Another visitor can come to Istanbul first, follow the race, and then continue his holiday in Antalya. We are working to bring these different travel options together. In addition, we want to integrate the entertainment, culture and art life of Istanbul with the organization during the Formula 1 period. We aim to turn the race week into a much more comprehensive festival with events, concerts and different culture and arts organizations attended by great artists. Thus, we aim to increase both the number of foreign visitors coming for Formula 1 and the length of stay and total expenditure of visitors in Turkey."
"TURKEY'S NIGHT MUSEUM MODEL WAS TAKEN AS AN EXAMPLE ABROAD"
Minister Ersoy said that they were very pleased with the night museum practice and that the results exceeded expectations and made the following statements:
"One of the developments that makes me most happy is that this practice we started in Turkey is being taken as an example abroad. We see that similar studies have started in Italy and Greece. They even come and ask us how we do the application. Night museums meet an important need, especially in destinations such as Antalya and the Aegean, where temperatures are very high in the summer months. During the hottest hours of the day, tourists naturally want to be at the sea or by the pool. In that heat, it may not be attractive to leave the hotel and visit the ruins.
We aimed for visitors to visit historical sites in a cooler environment after sunset and then meet with the tradesmen in the surrounding area. However, we also encountered another very nice result. The ruins illuminated at night gained a different atmosphere than during the day.
Visitors started to want to see the ruins they visited during the day again at night. So we had guests visiting the same area twice at different times. There is intense interest in the application. In the coming period, we will increase night museum practices, especially in areas close to city centers and with high visitor density. "We will also expand the visit routes and coverage in some existing areas."
