It goes without saying that no nation, no country can exist abstracted from other countries on the earth. Throughout history, countries – irrespective of their political regimes – have been taking efforts to lay down their common interests with other countries and to establish effective cooperation in line with these stipulated goals.
Until recently, we witnessed these efforts to concentrate on bilateral relations at governmental level. In other words, the official organs of the respective countries and the dialogue between them played a vital role in determining and even shaping the spirit, scope and intensity of political, economic and socio-cultural relations between the states.
Consequently, the success or failure and – last but not least – effectiveness and consistancy of the relations largely depended on the communicative skills, good will and far–sightedness of these organs.
This – in a sense - “classical” method, which has been shaping the world’s political, economic and socio-cultural relations, is still applied today and maintains its priority, yet fails to be effective. This mainly derives from the fact that the necessity of starting a communication also at popular level, i.e. between the peoples of the respective countries, is not taken into consideration.
This very aspect assumes particular significance in the 20th century which, owing to the tremendous progress made in the field of telecommunications, is described as the “Age of Communication”. Experience showed that occasionally, communication between the world’s nations developed independent of intergovernmental relations or even directly influenced them.
The above mentioned aspects of the technology of telecommunications place those countries, which either directly possess or have ampler means of applying that technology, at a markedly advantageous position compared with other countries in making their countries known in the world. Given the manifold and far–reaching impact of these media, countries possessing them hold the initiative in shaping and influencing the communication between other nations as well.
The first imperative step which paves the way for (if not tolerance, then at least) a better understanding between the world’s nations is to share those human and cultural achievements which already belong to the history of mankind at large. Only then is it possible for nations to inform each other of their respective past and cultures and to maintain the communication, which is essential for the cultivation of the assets they have in common and for the materialization of their common goals.
It is a well-known fact that in today’s world, a war of culture and technology is being waged and that states which determine international politics endeavour to regain their shaken or diminished administrative and economic strength by means of culture.
An individual of character and principles, who has distinctive features and respects himself as he does others, is considered to be an outstanding personality. Similarly, a nation is given that tribute by virtue of its national culture.
Naturally enough, world renowned genius like Piri Reis, Mimar Sinan and İbni Sina, whose works and ideas are today recognized and acknowledged throughout the world, have all been nourished and shaped by the culture they came from.
Culture is considered to be the accumulation of the assets and achievements a society produces and cultivates over a long span of time. In this respect, our country is endowed with a remarkably rich heritage. Throughout history, Anatolia served as a bridge between East and West, and thus became a melting pot of many civilisations and cultures.
When speaking of culture, we automatically think of a nation, and with the term “nation” we immediately associate culture, being its distinctive characteristic.
Kiz Kulesi
Ataturk himself had stressed the importance of culture when saying: "It is is the national culture that a nation lives, grows on and nourishes." "The Turkish Republic is based on culture." In order to ensure a sound and adequate education for future generations, it is essential that all aspects of our culture and civilization with its original features be brought to daylight, preserved and promoted. Throughout history, Turkish culture experienced a continuous growth in size and value and today it constitutes an inestimably rich heritage.
With a large number of activities that are presently under way it is not only aimed that the Turks adopt and identify themselves with that heritage as their common background; but also to make Turkish culture known and liked by other nations of the world, and thus help create a favorable image of Turkey and its people. Through books, pamphlets, films, slides etc., it is intended to create a remaining picture of Turkey, proudly demonstrating our attitude towards other cultures, based on tolerance and understanding. As a result of these events, Turkey called attention of Western countries and subsequently they on their on their part started initiatives to introduce their publics into Turkish culture; they made films about Turkey and expressed their interests in exhibitions, representing Turkey's authentic cultural values, to be held in their countries.
Indeed, the exhibition on Suleiman the Magnificent, which was opened in 1987 and could be seen in three major cities in the USA, and other similar events, which were organized within its framework, are the result of such activities. The main objective of the exhibition is to start a genuine "dialogue" with the American public, which - as a public survey initiated by us in 1986 definitely revealed - has astonishingly poor - if any - information about Turkey whereas the Turkish people are very familiar with America with its Coca-Colas, blue jeans, hamburgers, jazz, films and television. The opinion that the American public wil form on Turkey, Turkish history, culture, present days Turkey with its people will doubtlessly play a decisive role in improving the political and economic relations between the two nations and contribute to their developing in compliance with our national interests. Therefore, we must not leave public opinion simply take its course but take pains to direct and form it by maintaining the initiative of communication. The exhibition on Suleiman the Magnificent basically served that very purpose.
In this spirit, it is a particular pleasure for Turkey to display its cultural wealth of museums of a friendly country with the intention to providing the American people with an idea of the works created in the era of Suleiman the Magnificent, who has now become famous for his laws and achievements around the world. Particularly in a period of growth, Ottomans created and cultivated a culture rooted, widespread influence and based on the unique concept of peace and humanity, living up to the glory and size of the empire they were justified.
In the era of Suleiman the Magnificent, where Ottoman Empire reached its zenith, politically and economically unprecedented boom can be seen in the arts as a whole. All monuments, mosques and medreses with vivid examples of calligraphy, miniatures, ceramics, metal and textile works that still earn our admiration, a proof that the era of Suleiman the Magnificent produced real masterpieces in all branches of the arts. We believe that by exhibiting its cultural and historical heritage in foreign countries, Turkey has significant challenges in the field of international events, of modern art and has contributed to the deepening of the world aware of the intrusion of human civilization generally.
