Gaziantep resists time, keeps alive its history

GAZIANTEP - Anatolia News Agency

With the latest developments a total of 50 artifacts and monuments have been restored in Gaziantep. On the other hand, 8 hans have become business centers and been restored. AA photos

Gaziantep has become a city that resists the passage of time with its cultural and historical artifacts, said İsa Güven, the director of the General Directorship of Foundations.

With the latest developments and work, a total of 50 artifacts and monuments have been restored in Gaziantep. On the other hand, 8 hans have become business centers and been restored.

With these, there are no unrestored historical artifacts or buildings in the city. The income per year has become 6 million Turkish Liras, up from 600,000 liras, he added.

The monuments reflect the city’s history and culture, Güven said. “These all affect the identity of the city and the locals.”

The restoration work is still continuing, he said. “Gaziantep is a city with less real estate. We are trying to keep our historical artifacts alive.”

Other Turkish cities such as Istanbul, Bursa, Adana, Hatay, Antalya, İzmir, Kayseri, Ankara, Sivas, Erzurum and Diyarbakır are also a part of foundation culture, Güven said. “We are also trying to do this in Gaziantep and keep our values alive.”

Foundations keep artifacts and values alive, said Güven. “Sometimes changes may damage the cultural background of cities and the city’s main cultural and historical identity. When there is no aesthetic, the soul of the city gets lost.”

Not only artifacts, but also architecture is very important for Gaziantep, he added.

Unplanned urbanization has damaged cities and also monuments, Güven said.

“We think that cities should be planned according to their artifacts and monuments. We see that many monuments have been damaged because of unplanned urbanization.”

Gaziantep has distanced itself a bit from this approach, he said, adding that architects were currently building in accordance with monuments and historical artifacts.

The city becoming a culture hub

Gaziantep is already famous for its many museums and attracts Turkish and foreign tourists alike; the city also aims to become a “museum city” with the addition of newly planned museums.

The recently opened Atatürk Museum and Toy Museum, as well as the planned Cave Museum, are some of the city’s new attractions. The city plans to build 10 museums within the next 10 years, including three currently under construction, he said.

The new Atatürk Museum opened in March in the leader’s former residence on Bey Street in Gaziantep.

The museum includes more than a simple Atatürk Museum, Gaziantep Mayor Asım Güzelbey told Anatolia news agency earlier. The museum will feature 3D shows that will depict Antep’s struggle against enemies in ancient times. With more to peruse than any of its predecessors, Turkey’s fourth toy museum opened in Gaziantep on April 6. The museum is a more-developed version of the toy museum found in Istanbul’s Göztepe neighborhood. The Gaziantep Toy Museum will not only display old toys but will also exhibit how the development of civilization is reflected through toys. It also includes a rich collection of rag dolls and wooden toys. The museum also displays evidence of the current trend toward urbanization in Gaziantep.