Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy held an inter-delegation meeting with Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli in Pamukkale.
In addition to Minister Giuli, Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Manzo, Denizli Governor Yavuz Selim Köşger, AK Party Denizli Provincial Chairman Muhammed Subaşıoğlu, Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Nail Uyar and representatives of relevant units were present at the meeting.
After the meeting, Ersoy attended the opening of the 17th Italian Archaeological Missions Symposium held in the Ancient City of Hierapolis.
Head of Excavation Prof. Following the speeches of Grazia Semeraro and Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, Ersoy made evaluations about the scientific and cultural cooperation between Türkiye and Italy.
HERITAGE CONTRIBUTION TO THE FUTURE OF 70 YEARS OF WORKS IN HIERAPOLIS
Ersoy stated that the meeting in Hierapolis was an important example of the international scientific studies that have been carried out in Anatolia for many years, the strengthening cultural cooperation between Türkiye and Italy, and the new approach Turkey has put forward in the field of archaeology.
Stating that the city brought together different communities, beliefs and cultures in ancient times, today it brings together Turkish and Italian scientists around a common scientific goal, Ersoy stated that scientists from Pamukkale University also contributed to the work of the Italian excavation team, which started 70 years ago in Hierapolis, within the scope of the Heritage to the Future Project. Ersoy described this collaboration as a good example of the cooperation model they are trying to develop in the field of archaeology.
FROM EXCAVATION TO CONSERVATION, FROM RESTORATION TO COMMUNICATION
Emphasizing that archeology is no longer just about uncovering a structure or a find, Ersoy said that the process that starts with excavation is handled together with the stages of conservation, restoration, landscaping, visitor management, museology, scientific publication and meeting with the society.
Explaining the basic approach of the Ministry, Ersoy said:
"It is our responsibility to protect an archaeological site as well as to protect it, give meaning to it and carry it into the future in a sustainable manner. For this reason, especially in recent years, we have significantly increased the scale and work tempo of Turkish archeology. While we are strengthening the research carried out by our Turkish scientists, we are also providing a more comprehensive and institutional structure for the cooperation with foreign scientific delegations working in our country."
SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIP WITH ITALY EXCEEDED SIX EXCAVATION SITES
Stating that Italy is one of the most established partners in this field, Ersoy said that six archaeological excavations were carried out under the leadership of Italian scientists in Arslantepe, Hierapolis, Uşaklı Höyük, Karkamış, Kınık Höyük and Yumuktepe.
Stating that scientists from Turkish universities took an active part in many of these studies, Ersoy stated that different research traditions met in the same field. Ersoy emphasized that Italian researchers also participated in the studies carried out by Turkish scientific delegations, thus scientific cooperation was carried beyond these six excavation areas.
Ersoy explained his approach to international archaeological cooperation with the following words:
“We see international archaeological cooperation not as the activities of foreign teams working independently of each other in our country, but as a structure that expands the scientific capacity of Turkish archeology, increases the sharing of knowledge and experience, and develops a common conservation culture.”
EXCAVATION AND CONSERVATION ARE CONDUCTED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN DENİZLİ
Stating that he found it appropriate to organize the symposium in Denizli in this respect, Ersoy said that the city is one of the provinces where archaeological and cultural heritage research is carried out most intensively in Turkey.
Ersoy stated that scientific studies were carried out on different periods in Ağırseyit and Beycesultan mounds, Ekşi Höyük, Kale-i Tavas, Laodikeia, Hierapolis, Tripolis, Kolossai and Attouda. He stated that within the scope of the Turkish-Islamic Period Gravestones and Inscriptions National Inventory Project, studies on documenting cultural assets from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods are continuing.
Reminding that Pamukkale-Hierapolis is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural and natural heritage area, and Laodicea is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, Ersoy counted this among the international indicators of Denizli's potential.
Stating that they carry out excavation and conservation simultaneously in a significant part of the work in Denizli, Ersoy gave examples of the visitor reception and landscaping works in Hierapolis, the restorations in Laodicea and the conservation and visitor arrangements planned in Tripolis. Ersoy stated that these projects serve to transform archaeological areas into living cultural areas open to the whole society.
GÖBEKLITEPE EXHIBITION REACHED APPROXIMATELY 6 MILLION VISITORS
Stating that the cultural cooperation between Türkiye and Italy goes far beyond the excavation sites, Ersoy stated that the "Göbeklitepe: Mystery of a Sacred Place" exhibition held in the Colosseum reached approximately 6 million visitors. Ersoy emphasized that this interest shows how wide the cooperation can reach the masses.
Stating that the Göbeklitepe exhibition was followed by the work "Troy and Rome: Myths, Legends and Stories of the Ancient Mediterranean", Ersoy said that they have realized another comprehensive exhibition dealing with the historical and mythological ties between Troy and Rome. Ersoy stated that 221 works selected from different museums in Turkey tell the story of thousands of years of cultural relations between Anatolia and Italy in Rome.
EPHESUS-POMPEI DIALOGUE AND COMMON PROJECT GOAL IN 2027
Stating that they aim to diversify their cooperation, Ersoy said that they started a strong dialogue process to develop scientific and cultural cooperation between the Ephesus Archaeological Site and Pompei Archaeological Park.
Ersoy stated that they aim to implement the project, which is planned to be carried out jointly with the Central Institute of Archeology of the Italian Ministry of Culture in the Elaiussa Sebaste Ancient City in Mersin, in 2027. Referring to the work in Cappadocia, Ersoy stated that Turkish and Italian experts are working together in the field of protection of cultural assets and especially the conservation of wall paintings.
COOPERATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TRAFFICKING HAS GIVEN CONCRETE RESULTS
Emphasizing that the fight against cultural property smuggling is one of the areas where the two countries show common sensitivity, Ersoy said that the cultural assets seized in Italy and returned to Turkey in recent years show that concrete results have been achieved in the protection of heritage.
Ersoy continued by stating that the meeting in Hierapolis was a reflection of a broader relationship:
“Scientists come together at excavation sites; experts work together in laboratories, museums organize joint exhibitions, young researchers join new scientific networks, and our cultural assets are protected with a common sense of responsibility.”
THE INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY OF TURKISH SCIENTISTS WILL BE INCREASED
Stating that he is aware of Turkey's archaeological wealth and the responsibility that this wealth brings, Ersoy said that they aim to support Turkish archeology with stronger scientific opportunities and ensure the continuity of excavation and conservation studies. Ersoy stated that they aim to increase the effectiveness of Turkish scientists in the international scientific world and develop qualified, mutual and permanent partnerships with foreign scientific delegations working in Turkey.
Ersoy thanked the Italian officials and institutions who contributed to the cooperation in the person of Minister Giuli, Turkish and Italian scientists, universities and Ministry employees who worked together. Ersoy also thanked the Turkish and Italian artists who crowned their cultural cooperation with art and stated that he believed that the meeting in Hierapolis would strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries.
Ersoy wished that the 17th Italian Archaeological Missions Symposium would lead to new scientific studies and partnerships.
