Grand archeology museum in Sivas
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Anatolia News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 04, 2009 00:00
SİVAS - Government officials unite in one common idea at the opening ceremony of the archeology museum in Sivas. They say people need to preserve, protect and respect the cultural and historical values that are present in Turkey
The archeology museum in Sivas opened its doors to visitors with a wide collection on display, including ancient pieces found in excavations of Hittite cities Sarissa and Kayalıpınar.
With the support of the governorship of Sivas, the foundation of the museum was laid two years ago in Yüceyurt neighborhood. The museum, opened April 29, is considered the biggest archeology museum in central Anatolia.
Sivas Governor Veysel Dalmaz said the city was one of the few areas that had been home to many past civilizations and it was already a museum city. "Maybe we were a bit late in opening such a museum but it has filled an important gap," he said. "The people who visit Sivas are not traveling to see apartments, they come to see the mountains and the plains. They want to witness the history, culture and natural beauties. Yet if one does not have the sensitivity and understanding of preserving what there is, if the historic buildings are not protected, renovated, and cannot display the beauties, then they don’t mean a thing. That’s why we all need to be responsible in protecting historic heritage."
Chairman of the Tourism and Culture Ministry’s Directorship of Culture Property and Museums Orhan Düzgün, agreeing with Dalmaz, said the museum displaying historic artifacts found in the Sivas area will promote the city to the world.
Decline in smuggling
As a result of the successful work, parallel to the betterment in physical conditions of the places, employment increased in Sivas. Smuggling and stealing historic artifacts also declined. "As a result of all this thriving work there was a decline in smuggling and illegal excavations. The average incidents caught was above 800 incidents between the years 2000 and 2004, and starting from 2005 there was a serious decline. In 2008 the number fell to 194," Düzgün said.
There are also efforts to keep track of the smuggled artifacts in foreign countries and have them returned. According to Düzgün’s statement, last year 1,183 artifacts were brought back to Turkey, where they belong, and were put on display in museums.
A city square project
Sivas Municipality Mayor Doğan Ürgüp said that city has to have a memory, to display their history and culture. "Having artifacts and historic pieces to display in a few museums is certainly a privilege. There is a present project for the city square. We need seven pieces to complete the project and to turn it into an open air museum. People in Sivas are also eager about the project," Ürgüp said.
The chairman of The Foundation for the Promotion and Protection of the Environment and Cultural Heritage, or ÇEKÜL, Metin Sözen, who was present at the opening ceremony of the museum, said he realized that the biggest problem in Turkey was continuity, when he was talking to the newly-elected mayor and representatives of the Chamber of Architects. "People in Turkey don’t have the habit and professional mind of asking the former one what they did. If they did there would be sustainability, the capital and the profit would be big. Those who come and work after us would easily see what we did and what was important for us. It is also related to respect and values, when one cherishes what he or she does they would prefer it to be sustainable for the coming generations as well," Sözen explained.
The public needs unity and solidarity today, those who lend us a helping hand may decide against our well-being when they return to their countries, he said. We need to speak out and make our voices heard in international fields, Sözen said.
The ceremony was also attended by the undersecretary of the Ministry of Communications, Mehmet Habip Soluk. Düzgün presented plaques to Dalmaz, Ürgüp and Sözen for their successful work.
After folk dance performances the authorities visited the museum.
With the support of the governorship of Sivas, the foundation of the museum was laid two years ago in Yüceyurt neighborhood. The museum, opened April 29, is considered the biggest archeology museum in central Anatolia.
Sivas Governor Veysel Dalmaz said the city was one of the few areas that had been home to many past civilizations and it was already a museum city. "Maybe we were a bit late in opening such a museum but it has filled an important gap," he said. "The people who visit Sivas are not traveling to see apartments, they come to see the mountains and the plains. They want to witness the history, culture and natural beauties. Yet if one does not have the sensitivity and understanding of preserving what there is, if the historic buildings are not protected, renovated, and cannot display the beauties, then they don’t mean a thing. That’s why we all need to be responsible in protecting historic heritage."
Chairman of the Tourism and Culture Ministry’s Directorship of Culture Property and Museums Orhan Düzgün, agreeing with Dalmaz, said the museum displaying historic artifacts found in the Sivas area will promote the city to the world.
Decline in smuggling
As a result of the successful work, parallel to the betterment in physical conditions of the places, employment increased in Sivas. Smuggling and stealing historic artifacts also declined. "As a result of all this thriving work there was a decline in smuggling and illegal excavations. The average incidents caught was above 800 incidents between the years 2000 and 2004, and starting from 2005 there was a serious decline. In 2008 the number fell to 194," Düzgün said.
There are also efforts to keep track of the smuggled artifacts in foreign countries and have them returned. According to Düzgün’s statement, last year 1,183 artifacts were brought back to Turkey, where they belong, and were put on display in museums.
A city square project
Sivas Municipality Mayor Doğan Ürgüp said that city has to have a memory, to display their history and culture. "Having artifacts and historic pieces to display in a few museums is certainly a privilege. There is a present project for the city square. We need seven pieces to complete the project and to turn it into an open air museum. People in Sivas are also eager about the project," Ürgüp said.
The chairman of The Foundation for the Promotion and Protection of the Environment and Cultural Heritage, or ÇEKÜL, Metin Sözen, who was present at the opening ceremony of the museum, said he realized that the biggest problem in Turkey was continuity, when he was talking to the newly-elected mayor and representatives of the Chamber of Architects. "People in Turkey don’t have the habit and professional mind of asking the former one what they did. If they did there would be sustainability, the capital and the profit would be big. Those who come and work after us would easily see what we did and what was important for us. It is also related to respect and values, when one cherishes what he or she does they would prefer it to be sustainable for the coming generations as well," Sözen explained.
The public needs unity and solidarity today, those who lend us a helping hand may decide against our well-being when they return to their countries, he said. We need to speak out and make our voices heard in international fields, Sözen said.
The ceremony was also attended by the undersecretary of the Ministry of Communications, Mehmet Habip Soluk. Düzgün presented plaques to Dalmaz, Ürgüp and Sözen for their successful work.
After folk dance performances the authorities visited the museum.