Mevlana enthusiasts attracted by books to visit Konya
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Anatolian Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 15, 2009 00:00
KONYA - People who read the novels "Bab-i Esrar" and "Aşk" are coming to Konya to visit the places that are featured in the novels. These popular novels feature Mevlana, a philosopher and Muslim religious figure, and Şems.
"Despite the economic crisis, the number of people who visit the museum has remained the same when compared to last year," said Konya Museum Manager Yusuf Benli.
Benli said approximately 180,000 people visited the museum in May and highlighted that the number sometimes went above 12,000 per day during the weekend.
In addition to the interest to Mevlana, Benli said a new visitor profile has formed from the influence of "Bab-I Esrar" written by Ahmet Ümit and "Aşk" by Elif Şafak.
Meeting demands of public
"Lately, readers who are influenced by what these new novels have started coming to Konya. These people are different than the average visitor and ask about daily life in 13th century Konya, the places that Mevlana set foot in, whether or not the buildings that they see existed in Mevlana’s era and details about Mevlevi teachings. We are doing our best to meet their demands and help the new emerging group, which consists of mostly university graduates who enjoy research.
For us, the increase in visitor education levels is more important than the number of visitors who come to the Mevlana Museum. These people, who have an authority where they live, will help spread.
Mevlana’s philosophy and introduce Konya," he said. Benli said experiencing the power of the novels and contributing to tourism in real life gives him pleasure and that it is his duty to thank Ahmet Ümit and Elif Şafak for writing these novels.
Benli said approximately 180,000 people visited the museum in May and highlighted that the number sometimes went above 12,000 per day during the weekend.
In addition to the interest to Mevlana, Benli said a new visitor profile has formed from the influence of "Bab-I Esrar" written by Ahmet Ümit and "Aşk" by Elif Şafak.
Meeting demands of public
"Lately, readers who are influenced by what these new novels have started coming to Konya. These people are different than the average visitor and ask about daily life in 13th century Konya, the places that Mevlana set foot in, whether or not the buildings that they see existed in Mevlana’s era and details about Mevlevi teachings. We are doing our best to meet their demands and help the new emerging group, which consists of mostly university graduates who enjoy research.
For us, the increase in visitor education levels is more important than the number of visitors who come to the Mevlana Museum. These people, who have an authority where they live, will help spread.
Mevlana’s philosophy and introduce Konya," he said. Benli said experiencing the power of the novels and contributing to tourism in real life gives him pleasure and that it is his duty to thank Ahmet Ümit and Elif Şafak for writing these novels.