the celebrations of the 600th anniversary of the establishment of

THE CELEBRATIONS OF THE 600TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
BETWEEN TURKEY AND POLAND
OPENING EVENTS
H.E. Bronislaw Komorowski, President of the Republic of Poland paid an official
visit to Turkey on 5-6 March 2014. During the visit the exhibition “Distant
Neighbour, Close Memories- 600 years of Polish-Turkish Relations” organized
by Poland in cooperation with Turkish institutions, was inaugurated by H.E.
President Komorowski and H.E. President Abdullah Gül, at the Sakıp Sabancı
Museum in Istanbul.
(photo: Sakıp Sabancı Müzesi)
VISITS
(Photo: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
H.E. Bronislaw Komorowski, President of the Republic of Poland paid an official
visit to Turkey on 5-6 March 2014 upon the invitation of the 11th President of
Turkey H.E. Abdullah Gül. H.E. Komorowski met with the then Prime Minister
H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the visit.
(Photo: Prime Ministry Office of Public Diplomacy)
EXHIBITIONS
“Mimar Sinan and His Splendid Times” Illuminated Manuscript and
Miniature Exhibition, 10 January-20 February 2014, the Asia and Pacific
Museum, ul. Solec 24, Warsaw
Miniature, Architecture, Illuminated Manuscript and Calligraphy Exhibition of
Oya Kuyumcu, Belgin Gürhan and Memnune Birkan, “Mimar Sinan and His
Splendid Times” was on display, in cooperation with the Yunus Emre Cultural
Center in Warsaw, at the Asia and Pacific Museum in Warsaw between 10
January-20 February 2014.
On the occasion of the first event for the celebrations of the 600th anniversary of
establishment of diplomatic relations, in Poland, a reception was held in the
evening of Friday, 10 January 2014. Mr. Tadeusz Iwinski, Chairperson of the
Polish-Turkish Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group, Polish authorities, art
circles, the diplomatic corps and our citizens were among the approximately 250
participants at the opening.
During its duration, the exhibition was later visited by close to one thousand
Polish visitors among them Polish school children.
Her Excellency Madame Anna Komorowska, Spouse of the President of the
Republic of Poland paid a special visit to the exhibition in company of
Ambassadress Prof. Dr. Kıvılcım Özcan and they were guided by Ms. Karolina
Krzywicka, Islamic Art Historian and curator of the exhibition, on 21st of
February 2014. Madame Komorowska, who closely examined the works and
asked questions, was informed about the achievements of Architect Mimar Sinan,
illuminated manuscript, calligraphy and miniature arts. The visit of Madame
Komorowska was included in the official website of the President of the Republic
of Poland.
(photos: Asia and Pacific Museum)
Exhibition of 600 Years of Turkish-Polish Friendship in
Historical Photographs, Warsaw, the Asia and Pacific
Museum (23 April-13 May 2014)
“600 Years of Turkish-Polish Friendship in Historical Photographs”
exhibition organized with the cooperation of Yunus Emre Institute’s
Turkish Cultural Center in Warsaw and compiled from the collection of
IRCICA (Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture) was
inaugurated with the speeches of Mr. Halit Eren, Director General of
IRCICA, Mrs. Joanna Wasilewska, Director of the Asia and Pacific
Museum and H.E. Ambassador Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Özcan.
(Photos: Embassy of Turkey)
Exhibition of Historical Documents from Polish State
Archives, 12 - 29 March 2014, Archiwum Glowne Akt
Dawnych, ul. Dluga 7, Warsaw
“1414-2014: 600 Years of Relations Between Turkey and Poland” exhibition was
presented to the Polish people by the Polish Archives at the premises of the
Central Archives of Historical Records (Raczynski Palace) between 12-29 March
2014. The exhibition was enriched with an additional photograph exhibition
depicting the city of Bursa by the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centre in
Warsaw.
The exhibition and its catalogue financed by the Polish Ministry of Culture and
National Heritage included precious historical documents such as the Decree by
Sultan Bayezıd II dated 1489 allowing Polish merchants to engage in trade in
Ottoman territories and ‘Ahidname’s (Agreements) from as early as the 16th
century, letter of Hürrem Sultan (Roxalana), wife of Sultan Süleyman the
Magnificient, written to the Polish King Sigusmund August II dated 1549 as well
as many other historical artefacts covering six centuries of relations.
(http://www.agad.gov.pl/AKW_Turcja/AKW_Tureckie.html)
Mr. Andrzej Biernat, Deputy Director of State Archives of Poland and H.E.
Ambassador Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Özcan emphasized in their opening speeches
the importance of the 600th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between Turkey and Poland, and gave information about the activities
to be held throughout the year.
At the inauguration, Can Kehri, a graduate of Chopin University in Warsaw,
performed a cello concert interpreting the works of Turkish composers.
(photos: Embassy of Turkey)
“Turcica Lehistanu” Exhibition, Przemsyl, 25 April-1 June
2014
“Turcica Lehistanu” exhibition reflecting the historical background of TurkishPolish relations was displayed in the National Museum of the Land of Przemysl.
The opening of the exhibition was attended by Mrs. Istem Cırcıroğlu, MinisterCounsellor of the Turkish Embassy.
(photos: Embassy of Turkey)
Open Air Exhibition in Warsaw "A Polish Village in Istanbul:
Polonezköy/Adampol”, Plac Zamkowy, 17 May-15 June 2014
On the occasion of the 600th anniversary activities, the photograph exhibition
titled "A Polish Village in Istanbul" prepared under the curatorship of
Photographer Akgün Akova and Gülden Akıncı was displayed on 17 May-15 June
2014 in the main square of Warsaw (Plac Zamkowy). Countless number of Polish
citizens as well as tourists and foreigners in Poland viewed the open air exhibition.
(photos: Embassy of Turkey, support: by GULERMAK)
Orient, Modernity and Art, Exhibition of the Collection of the
Turkish Central Bank, 26 June - 21 September 2014, Wilanow
Palace Museum, Warsaw
"Orient, Modernity and Art" Exhibition, including an anthology of
painting collection of the Central Bank was inaugurated with a
reception organized at the Wilanow Palace Museum in Warsaw on 25
June 2014 on the occasion of the 600th Anniversary of the Establishment
of Diplomatic Relations between Turkey and Poland.
Mr. Erdem Başçı, Governor of the Central Bank and H.E.
Ambassador Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Özcan emphasized at the
inauguration that the exhibition would significantly contribute
to the introduction of Turkish art in Poland.
Mr. Pawel Jaskanis, Director of the Wilanow Palace Museum
hosting the exhibition welcomed the inauguration of this
exhibition in Poland which included the works of prominent
artists such as Devrim Erbil, Burhan Doğançay, Komet and
Neşe Erdok and thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Turkey and the Central Bank for organizing it in
Poland. Mr. Marek Belka, Governor of the National Bank of
Poland underlined the historical friendship between Turkey and
Poland during his speech.
Prof. Dr. Talat Halman made a presentation on the evolution of
Turkish art titled "Turkish Art Through the Ages" on the
occasion of the exhibition organized under the curatorship of
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Yasa Yaman; the State Opera and
Ballet artists Esin Talınlı, Şenol Talınlı, Ferda Yetişer, Çetin
Kıranbay and Esra Poyrazoğlu gave a concert performing
Turkish and Polish songs. (photos: Embassy of Turkey)
“Turkish Fascination” Exhibition in Zamek Kornik, 3 September23 October 2014
The exhibition was organized by the Zamek Kornik Museum together with Mr.
Jerzy Kudinski, Honorary Consul of Turkey in Poznan on the occassion of the
600th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The exhibition included comprehensive
information about Turkish – Polish relations in addition to the extensive collection
of Turkish arms and crafts already existing in the Museum.
(photos: Honorary Consul General of Turkey in Poznan)
Turkish Art Days Exhibition, House of Arts, Warsaw, 19-29
September 2014
Anatolian Culture and Arts Association ANKÜSAD’s “Turkish Art Days”
exhibition of works by Turkish artists was held between 19-29 September 2014
at the House of Arts in Warsaw. At the inauguration, speeches were delivered by
H.E. Ambassador Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Özcan and the organizers of the event.
Musical performance by a quartet of musicians from the Presidential Symphony
of Turkey also took place.
(photos: Embassy of Turkey)
Exhibition: "The Envoy on the Way. Turkish-Polish relations from
the Ottoman era until today", Central Archives of Historical
Records, 15 January- 20 February 2015
"The Envoy on the Way. Turkish-Polish relations from the Ottoman era
until today" exhibition consisting of documents from the Turkish and
Polish State Archives was displayed at the Central Archives of
Historical Records, 7, Ul. Dluga, between 15 January- 20 February
2015.
Ass. Prof. Uğur Ünal, Director General of State Archives of Turkey and Prof.
Wladyslaw Stepniak, Director of State Archives of Poland inaugurated the
exhibition and informed the audience about their work and cooperation within the
framework of bilateral contacts and the 600th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between Turkey and Poland.
A book titled “Envoy on the Way” comprising of documents from the State
Archives of Turkey was presented to the Polish audience at the opening. The book
was later sent to all libraries in Poland as a reference for further studies.
(photos: Embassy of Turkey)
CONCERTS
Wojciech Bobowski/Ali Ufki Bey Concert by Sarband, 14 March
2014, Zamek Concert Hall, Poznan
On the occasion of the 600th anniversary celebrations, the Sarband Ensemble
performed the works of Santurî Ali Ufki Bey/Wojciech Bobowski to an audience
of 300 persons in the historical Zamek Concert Hall in Poznan city center on 14
March 2014. Mr. Jerzy Kudynski, Honorary Consul General of Poznan addressed
the audience before the concert and a reception was held afterwards. In addition
to the concert programme, the performances of the group members consisting of
Artistic Director Vladimir Ivanoff, Doğan Dikmen (ney [reed flute]/ vocal), Uğur
Işık (ayaklı keman), Celalettin Biçer (kanun, ney), Michal Gondko (lute) and
Maria Skiba (vocal) were greatly admired.
(photos: Honorary Consul General of Turkey in Poznan)
Wojciech Bobowski/Ali Ufki Bey Concert by Sarband, 17 March
2014, Chopin University, Warsaw
The Sarband Ensemble performing the works of “Santurî Ali Ufki Bey”
(Polish name Wojciech Bobowski) gave another concert on the
occasion of the 600th anniversary celebrations at the Concert Hall of
Chopin University in Warsaw on 17 March 2014.
Opening speeches were delivered by Mrs. Ewa Iżykowska, Vice Rector
of the Chopin University and by H.E. Ambassador Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya
Özcan.
Performances of Artistic Director Vladimir Ivanoff, Doğan Dikmen
(ney [reed flute] / vocal), Uğur Işık (ayaklı keman), Celalettin Biçer
(kanun, ney), Michal Gondko (lute) and Maria Skiba (vocal) were
greatly admired.
A reception for 400 guests was held following the concert.
(photos: Embassy of Turkey)
İdil Biret Concert at the Wilanow Palace Museum, 29
August 2014
Madame Idil Biret, the renown Turkish pianist and State Artist, with a
Polish medal, gave a concert at the reception organized on the occasion
of the 30th August Victory Day and the celebrations of the 600 th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between
Turkey and Poland. (photos: Embassy of Turkey)
Sema Ceremony by the Turkish Sufi Music Ensemble of Konya,
Palace of Culture, Sala Kongresowa, Warsaw, 28 May 2014.
The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Turkish Sufi Music
Ensemble of Konya performed a Sema ceremony at the Palace of
Culture, Sala Kongresowa in Warsaw on the 28th of May 2014.
Before the ceremony speeches informed the public about the
philosophy of Mevlana and the rituals and symbols of Sufi dervishes.
The breathtaking performance of the artists and the mystic music
mesmerized the Polish and international audience of more than 1.500
spectators.
After the event a reception was hosted by the Turkish Ministry of
Culture and Tourism.
(photos: Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism)