Learn all about Museum Week
Now Playing: Lesson Audio
Get this lesson’s key vocab, their translations and pronunciations. Sign up for your Free Lifetime Account Now and get 7 Days of Premium Access including this feature.
| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Turkey Series at TurkishClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Turkish holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 22. Museum Week. In Turkish, it’s called Müzeler Haftası. |
| May 18-24 is Museum Week. During this period, Turkish cultural assets are promoted. People visit museums and learn more about their cultural heritage and history. |
| In this lesson, you will learn about Museum Week and how it came about, as well as the most popular museums and archeological excavations. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question- |
| Who was the first famous Turkish archaeologist? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| In Turkey, museology began in 1846 with the first museum opening in Istanbul, Saint Irene Church or Aya İrini Kilisesi. Later on, following archaeological excavations that took place in Nemrut Mountain, several antiquities were brought to Istanbul. Following this, the Istanbul Archeology and Turkish Islamic Art Museum or İstanbul Arkeoloji ve Türk İslami Eserleri Müzesi, was founded. In the meantime, several other museums opened in other Turkish cities. |
| During the Republic Period, many museums were opened and numerous archaeological excavations were performed. Roman Baths in Ankara, Alacahöyük and Alişar are a few of the first examples of national archaeological digs. Artifacts unearthed during these excavations are currently displayed in Ankara, in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, including artifacts from the Greeks, famous for their amphitheaters, Lydians who coined money, Egyptians, Hittites who signed the first written contracts and Byzantines; all of these civilizations occupied territory on Anatolian soil. Remainders of these civilizations and their monuments and documents are displayed in these museums. |
| Today in Turkey, along with art history, modern art and archaeological museums, there are also many themed museums exhibiting toys, customs and traditions. During Museum Week, schools visit museums on school trips that are booked in advance. Educational and interactive programs designed by museum curators, or müze küratörleri, are held before and after the visits. |
| Unfortunately, like in many other countries, Turkey was also robbed of a number of historical artifacts. One of these is the Altar of Zeus, or Zeus Sunağı, currently in the Pergamon Museum in Germany. In discussion with the German government of the legitimacy of such antiquities being taken from Ottoman lands, it has been requested that such items be sent back, but as of yet, remain on foreign soil. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Who was the first famous Turkish archaeologist? |
| Osman Hamdi Bey is considered to be the first Turkish archaeologist. He not only unearthed many items through his own effort, but he is also the founder of the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| Which is the most important museum in your country? |
| Leave us a comment letting us know at TurkishClass101.com. And we'll see you in the next lesson! |
Comments
Hide