Minister to give Turkey's capital an urban museum

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

AA photo

Turkey’s capital Ankara is soon to have big museum and exhibition venue, according to Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay, who attended the opening of the Ankara Culture, Arts and Exhibition House in the capital on April 14. 

The new art space used to be the historical Abidinpaşa Mansion, which was renovated to provide space for art events. Originally, the mansion was built as the residence of the Ankara governor during the national liberation era, which served as a military base back then. 

The mansion was rediscovered late in the republican era by the Ankara Club Society, and by collaborating with the Çankaya Municipality in Ankara, the society converted the old house into an arts and culture center.

Günay said at the opening that the society would be allowed to use the venue until they find another building that suits their purpose. 

“During the ‘80s and ‘90s, historical buildings were demolished to be replaced by ugly concrete replacements that would serve as culture centers. Now I am trying the clean these ugly structures out of all of Anatolia. These buildings not only fall short in architectural aesthetics, but they are also poor in technical equipment. You will understand what I mean when you compare these buildings with the structures built in the ‘20s and ‘30s.”

He also said awareness for protection and conservation of cultural and historical wealth is newly developing in Turkey, but unfortunately the country has been unable to keep up with Western civilization. “Our capital Ankara lacks an urban museum. And now we are working on this gap. We must make one of the biggest museums in Europe in Ankara. What we have in mind is using the Hippodrome area by leaving out the section where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk gave his 10th Year Speech as it is a registered historical wealth.”
 He added that the ministry had already reached an agreement with the municipality and they were waiting for the transfer of the area.