Within the scope of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) held in Antalya, the exhibition "Hope of Return: Al-Awde - The Story of the Olive Tree", which tells about the destruction in Gaza and the hope of return of the Palestinians, welcomes its visitors.
According to the news of İrem Başdaş, the exhibition located in the Green Zone of the conference hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change was prepared by Memur-Sen and the International Labor Confederation (ILC). The exhibition, which depicts the old lively streets of Gaza and the destruction following the Israeli attacks, includes items brought from the region, photographs and a wounded olive tree. The exhibition will be open until November 20 as part of the conference attended by 196 party countries and the European Union.
MINISTER INSTITUTION: WE REMIND THE DRAMA OF SALY AND GAZA
Making a statement within the scope of COP31's "Children, Youth" theme, COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum shared the story of 5-year-old Saly from Gaza, who lost his life in the Israeli attack.
Minister Kurum used the following statements in his post: "Before going to kindergarten, he always asked his aunt to take his photographs. 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."
THERE IS A WOUNDED OLIVE TREE IN THE CENTER OF THE EXHIBITION
At the center of the exhibition created in the Gaza Tent is an olive tree that continues to stand despite being injured. The tree symbolizes the Palestinian people's commitment to their land and their continued hope for return despite the destruction experienced.
Exhibition Manager Ramazan Çakırcı explained the meaning of the olive 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 remaining attached to their own 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."
Near the olive tree, there is also a map of Palestine created from keys symbolizing houses in Gaza. The map represents the hope of return that displaced Palestinian families have maintained for generations. In the exhibition, in addition to the items brought from Palestine, 63 photographs, works of Palestinian painters and graphic artists, and works containing images of Gaza before and after the attacks are presented to visitors.
A LETTER WILL BE SENT TO CHILDREN IN GAZA
Thanks to the digital screen placed at the exit of the exhibition, visitors can write letters to children and civilians in Gaza. Exhibition Coordinator and Ankara Social Sciences University History Department Lecturer Dr. Gazi Doğan stated that the application allows visitors to directly convey their feelings.
Doğan 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 said that the written messages will be compiled and delivered to Gaza.
THE STORY OF THE AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPH IS IN THE EXHIBITION
In one of the remarkable sections of the exhibition, the story of 5-year-old Saly, who lost his life in an Israeli air strike, is told. The drawing of the photograph showing the pain of her aunt Inas Abu Maamar, who hugged the little girl's shrouded body in the morgue, is also included in the exhibition.
The shot taken after the death of Saly, who asked her aunt to take her photo before going to kindergarten, was captured by Palestinian photojournalist Mohammed Salem. The photo was awarded the 2024 World Press Photo Award.
Teacher Çiğdem Çalış, who visited the exhibition, stated that she was 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 emphasized that hope should be preserved despite what happened.
High school student Mina Coşkun said, "We saw what happened in Gaza in the purest way here. They reflected everything that happened to us in a very sincere way."
In the exhibition, environmental impacts such as destroyed olive groves in Gaza, polluted water resources and carbon emissions caused by war are also explained to visitors with data.
