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Polonezköy as an example for promoting multi-ethnic culture and tourism by
Y. Söylemez
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Polish Embassy hosts panel discussion, exhibit on cultural diversity
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Participants emphasize that Polonezköy is a good example of cultural
diversity since residents live in peace while preserving their identity
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News
The Polish Embassy in Ankara hosted a panel discussion and one-evening
photography exhibition titled Local Cultures in Mountain and Forest
Villages in Rural Areas of Turkey: Traditions, Social Life and Economic
Situation on Thursday under the auspices of former President Süleyman
Demirel and Polish Ambassador Grzegorz Michalski.
The discussion, focusing primarily on cultural diversity, was based on
research conducted by Dr. Nurettin Elbir on mountain and forest villages in
Turkey as well as the cultural heritage of the Polish village of Polonezköy
(Adampol) as preserved by residents.
Located on the outskirts of Istanbul's Alemdağ district on the Anatolian
side of the Bosporus, Polonezköy was founded in 1842 by Polish refugees who
were welcomed by the Ottoman Empire after their country was divided up
between Prussia, Austria and Russia.
Polonezköy a matter of pride for Turkey:
Speaking at the panel discussion, Demirel said: The Ottomans welcomed
those Polish refugees into their lands. Today their descendents have made
this land their home. They have become people of this country while at the
same time preserving their traditions, religion and languages.
Noting that the Poles living in Polonezköy have maintained their identity
thanks to the tolerance of both the Ottomans and the Turkish Republic,
Demirel said: Polonezköy is a matter of pride for us. It is a good
example demonstrating the development and civilization of our country and
symbolizing the world's peace, humanity and development.
We today host a cultural unity that the world needs. Polonezköy is a
bridge between our country and Poland. Thus Polonezköy should maintain its
identity, he added.
Touching on the situation of mountain and forest villages in Turkey, Demirel
said the Industrial Revolution had eliminated the rural-urban divide in
Europe and added that Turkey was trying to do the same. "Although the
situation in mountain and forest villages in the past was not so good in
Turkey, it has changed today. There is a well-established mechanism that
provides health centers, schools and infrastructure. We are trying to
convert rural areas into urban centers", he said.
Best example of cultural diversity:
Meanwhile, Beykoz Mayor Muharrem Ergül said Polonezköy was a good example of
cultural diversity and globalization and that its residents lived in peace
while maintaining their identity.
Noting that the village was a tourism destination, one village resident said
Polonezköy hosted many social and cultural activities and should be further
promoted.
Dr. Elbir also made a presentation featuring slides of mountain and forest
villages and some from Polonezköy.
At the end of the discussion it was noted that institutes should be
established at universities to research issues of cultural diversity and
that schools providing Polish education should be established in Polonezköy.
Participants then viewed the photography exhibition featuring more than 50
pictures of mountain and forest villages taken by Elbir since the 1960s.
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