Anatolian culture goes on display in Shanghai

The exhibit displays items from different eras since the Neolithic Age. AA photos

Shanghai is getting a little taste of Turkey as part of a year of events celebrating the latter in the Far Eastern giant, with a new exhibition, “Anatolian Civilizations: From Neolithic Age to the Ottoman Empire,” opening Nov. 18 in the Pacific city. 

The exhibition is being held as part of Turkey Year in China events, which are being celebrated all around the country. 

The exhibition in China is displaying 122 items from the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, including stamps and tablets from the Hittite period, bronze goddess and emperor sculptures, Ottoman objects like swords, as well as helmets, kaftans, Qurans, carpets, prayer rugs and other artifacts.

A similar exhibition of objects from the Asian country was on display between November 2012 and February 2013 in Istanbul.

Turkish Culture Ministry Deputy Secretary Faruk Şahin said they had organized various activities in cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Urumqi so far this year for the Year of Turkey. “The opening of this exhibition will make a contribution to the improvement of Turkey-China relations,” he said. 

Topkapı Palace Museum Deputy Director Ayşe Erdoğdu said the Ottoman part of the exhibition presented dynastic symbols and other aspects detailing life in the seraglio. “The most important piece in this section is the caftan of Sultan Osman II,” she said.

November/20/2013