The exhibition “Göbeklitepe: The Mystery of a Sacred Place” was opened at the Colosseum, the world-famous landmark of Rome, the capital of Italy. Göbeklitepe Exhibition
ROME (AA) – The exhibition met with visitors with the contributions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Turkish Embassy in Rome, the Embassy Culture and Promotion Consultancy, the Italian Ministry of Culture, the Colosseum and Roman Forum Archaeological Site Directorate and Turkish Airlines (THY). .
The opening ceremony of the exhibition, hosted by Colosseum and Roman Forum Archaeological Site Director Alfonsina Russo, was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazgı, Chairman of the Cultural Commission of the Italian House of Representatives Deputy Federico Mollicone, Turkey’s Ambassador to Rome Ömer Güçlük and Turkey’s Ambassador to the Vatican Ufuk Ulutaş. Many guests, including , attended. The Italian press also showed interest in the opening of the exhibition.
Speaking at the opening, Deputy Minister Yazgı expressed their satisfaction in bringing Göbeklitepe together with both Italians and world citizens visiting Rome and said, “In the magnificent atmosphere of the Colosseum, the symbol of Rome, which has been considered the center of the world for centuries, the most important turning point of human civilization.” “We bring you the deep and ancient history of Göbeklitepe, which has hosted many tourist attractions.” he said.
Mollicone, Chairman of the Cultural Commission of the Italian House of Representatives, expressed his sincere condolences on behalf of the commission and himself in the terrorist attack against TAI in Ankara yesterday, and stated that they condemn all forms of terrorism.
After their speeches, Deputy Minister Yazgı, Ambassador Güçlük, Deputy Mollicone, Chairman of the Culture Commission of the House of Representatives, and Russo, Director of the Colosseum and Roman Forum Archaeological Site, cut the opening ribbon of the exhibition.
While Yazgı and his entourage were receiving information about the exhibition from Russo, Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul also gave some information about Göbeklitepe to the Italian guests.
It is considered the oldest temple in the world with a history of 12 thousand years and is on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Exact size stone replica of 3 artifacts from Göbeklitepeand shortened versions with Italian subtitles of the films shown at the Göbeklitepe Welcome Center were presented for viewing.
At the opening, delicacies from Turkish and also Italian cuisine such as stuffed grape leaves, lentil meatballs, baklava and Turkish delight were served.
The exhibition at the Colosseum will remain open until March 2, 2025.
– “We tried to turn these structures into sister structures with each other.”
Making an evaluation to the AA correspondent regarding the opening of the exhibition, Yazgı stated that Göbeklitepe is a very important area in terms of UNESCO world heritage and said that they are happy to move Göbeklitepe, visited by thousands of tourists, to a special place such as the Colosseum, visited by thousands of people around the world.
Yazgı stated that both Göbeklitepe and the Colosseum are two structures that have a very important place in world literature and in the UNESCO World Heritage, and said, “We tried to turn these structures into sister structures with each other. From where? Göbeklitepe, which we call the zero point of history, and this building we are in, one of the most important structures of Rome, are now in interaction with each other. “In this special place, visited by approximately 30 thousand people daily, we are now together in a beautiful project with the Italian authorities to show the tourists who come here what a special place Göbeklitepe is.” he said.
Yazgı thanked Director Russo and Ambassador Güçlük for their contributions to this organization.
– Göbeklitepe will meet millions of people at the Colosseum
Cultural Commission President Mollicone also stated that Italy and Turkey came together in a fascinating place like the Colosseum in this event, which he described as a synthesis of cultural diplomacy, and said, “Archaeological and cultural diplomacy is born and approved in this unity that transcends time and space.” he said.
Russo, Director of the Colosseum and Roman Forum Archaeological Site, told AA correspondent that he was very pleased to open the exhibition in an ancient and extraordinary archaeological site.
Russo stated that the ancient arenas are visited by many people every year and said, “Last year, the Colosseum was visited by 12.5 million people from all over the world, except Italy. The exhibition will be visited by millions of people throughout the period it will be open, that is, from today until March 2, 2025. “These people will be visitors from many different countries around the world and from within Italy.” he said.
– “The design of the exhibition is really successful”
Stone Hills Project coordinator Prof. Dr. Necmi Karul also made the following evaluation about the exhibition:
“There are many meanings to having (the exhibition) in the Colosseum. Undoubtedly, the Colosseum is one of the most well-known and interesting places in the world. Having the Göbeklitepe exhibition here is extremely important for the archaeological sites in our geography to meet the world. Another important aspect, if we consider it from an archaeological point of view, is that the Colosseum and Göbeklitepe were the places that brought people together in large crowds for the first time in their time. Two places with such a mission, although they have different meanings. “The Colosseum, one of these places, is hosting Göbeklitepe this time.”
Karul expressed his hope that the meeting of these two places, which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, will start with Rome and spread to other cities in Europe, and said:
“Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism also has such a strategy. We plan to hold exhibitions in other cities of Europe and the Far East in the coming years. Therefore, the start of this was given in Rome, in a very meaningful place, the Colosseum. The design of the exhibition is really successful. An interesting place. It has educational content. At the same time, a catalog was prepared to be distributed to visitors. “We can easily say that this meeting was meaningful and that it was an exhibition that we felt comfortable with.”
