The experience exhibition 'Hope of Return: El-Awde - The Story of the Olive Tree' is being held in the Green Zone at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Antalya, hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. The exhibition prepared by Memur-Sen and the International Labor Confederation (ILC) reveals the old lively streets of Gaza and the destruction following Israel's genocide. At the Conference of the Parties, attended by 196 party countries and the EU, Türkiye explains the destruction in Gaza with items brought from the region, photographs and a wounded olive tree. The exhibition will be open until November 20.
MINISTER INSTITUTION: WE REMIND THE DRAMA OF SALY AND GAZA
On the 'Children, Youth' theme day of COP31 in Antalya, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum shared the story of Saly from Gaza, who was featured in the exhibition. In his message, Minister Kurum said, "He always asked his aunt to take his photographs before going to kindergarten. The photo of 5-year-old Saly, who loves to be photographed, wrapped in a shroud, was deemed worthy of the World Press Photo Award in 2024. On this day, when we cover the theme of 'Child' at COP31, we remind 196 countries of the drama of Saly and Gaza."
'A WOUNDED BUT STANDING OLIVE TREE: THE STORY OF A PEOPLE WHO NEVER LOSE HOPEFUL'
In the middle of the exhibition area of the Gaza Tent stands a wounded but surviving olive tree. The tree, holding on to the past with its roots and reaching to the future with its branches, symbolizes the loyalty of Palestinians to their land. Exhibition Manager Ramazan Çakırcı explained why the exhibition was built around this tree with the following words:
"The olive tree is at the center of our exhibition. The olive tree tells the story of the Palestinian people's loyalty to their roots and land. There has been a serious massacre and genocide in Gaza for three years. We are telling the story of a people who never lost hope despite this genocide, who are attached to their roots and want to return to their roots."
THE KEYS TO THEIR HOUSE ARE LEFT ON THE MAP
Near the olive tree is a map of Palestine made of keys symbolizing houses in Gaza. The map shows the hope of return that generations of displaced Palestinian families have maintained. The items brought from Palestine are exhibited as silent witnesses of the lives left unfinished. 63 photographs, works of Palestinian painters and graphic artists, and moving visuals showing the city before and after the genocide are also presented to the visitor.
LETTERS WILL BE DELIVERED TO GAZA
The digital screen at the exit of the exhibition allows visitors to write letters to Gazans. Exhibition Coordinator and Ankara Social Sciences University History Department Lecturer Dr. Gazi Doğan pointed out that the digital screen is one of the most unique aspects of the exhibition and said, "On the screen, our students and visitors have the chance to send letters to Gazan children, civilians and innocents. They reflect on the screen what they feel after visiting the exhibition." Doğan emphasized that all messages sent will be compiled and delivered to Gaza.
THE PHOTOGRAPH WINNER OF THE WORLD PRESS AWARD IS ALSO IN THE EXHIBITION
The exhibition also includes a drawing of the photograph that immortalizes the deep pain of Saly's aunt, Inas Abu Maamar, who hugged her lifeless body wrapped in a shroud in the morgue, after she lost her life in an Israeli air strike. Palestinian photojournalist Mohammed Salem took the image of the little girl wrapped in a shroud, who always asked her aunt to take photos of her before going to kindergarten. The photo was awarded the World Press Photo Award in 2024.
'IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO SEE A CHILD'S LOST SLIPPERS'
Teacher Çiğdem Çalış, who visited the exhibition, said that she was very impressed by what she saw and said, "We saw a sad but real picture inside. It is heartbreaking to see a child's lost toy or a slipper there." Çalış also emphasized that hope should be preserved despite what happened:
"Very painful events are happening in a very close part of the world. It is very sad, but we should not lose hope."
High school student Mina Coşkun was among those who left the exhibition touched. Coşkun said, "We saw what happened in Gaza here in the purest way. They reflected everything that happened to us in a very sincere way."
THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION OF DESTRUCTION IS EXPLAINED WITH DATA
The exhibition also reveals the extent of the destruction in Gaza, destroyed olive groves, polluted water resources and carbon emissions caused by the war.
