Tanpınar museum and library: Shrine for Turkish literature

ISTANBUL hürriyet daily news

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The museum is open to literary enthusiasts during weekdays between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m

The Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Literature Museum Library in Istanbul is housed in a historical 16th century building close to the Topkapı Palace and dedicated to Turkish literature. The museum is named after renowned 20th century Turkish author, Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar, one of the most formative figures in modern Turkish literature. Tanpınar’s books are beginning to draw an increasing interest in the English-speaking world, 50 years after his death.....

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Museum dedicated to Islamic scholar Mevlana breaks visitor record

KONYA - Anadolu Agency

Konya’s Mevlana Museum, which is home to the tomb of the famous 13th century Islamic poet and mystic Mevlana Jalal ad-din Rumi, broke a new record last year with 2.93 million visitors

The Mevlana Museum hosts hundreds of thousands of guests every year. Home to the tomb of the 13th century mystic Rumi, the museum is among the most visited museums in Turkey.

The Mevlana Museum in the central Anatolian province of Konya, which draws people from all around the world every year, broke a new record last year with 2.93 million visitors.

The museum, which is home to the tomb of famous 13th century poet and mystic Mevlana Jalal ad-din Rumi, hosts hundreds of thousands of local and foreign guests every year. Having a significant potential in terms of history, culture and faith tourism, it is among the most visited museums in Turkey.

Visitor number increases every year

Tourists flock to Konya to visit the tomb of Rumi, who give the messages of love, peace and brotherhood in his peoms. The number of visitors was 1,565 million in 2012 and it reached 2.93 million with 33 percent increase.

Konya Museum Director Yusuf Benli said after Rumi died, his tomb began to be constructed in the place of the museum. He said with additions through time, the tomb took its current shape and it was turned into a museum in 1926.

Benli said the museum receives people from all over the world, with an increasing number every year, adding, “Last year’s figure was very good. Visitors come in different categories; those who come to the museum with regular tickets and the ones who make visits with the ministry’s campaigns or museum card. There are also some with institutional cards. Generally, the number of foreign visitors is over 450,000. The others are from Turkish provinces.”

Benli noted the increase in the number of visitors was caused by people’s love for Rumi. “We are working to offer a more comfortable environment in the museum for guests.”

The museum receives visitors from various parts of the world from the Far East to Europe Benli said, adding their profile changed monthly.

He said they had hosted nearly 60,000 people during the Şeb-i Arus (the night of reunion) ceremonies. “The modernization of museums and new presentations trigger tourism,” he added.

Mevlana, who is also known as Rumi in Western countries, was born in Balkh, now part of Afghanistan, and passed away in Konya, Turkey, where he was laid to rest. During his 66 years of life, he left a legacy of major works of poetry and prose, including “The Quatrains” or “Rubaiyat,” “Divane-Shams,” the great work of Shams and “Fihe Ma Fi,” a collection of mystical sayings.

He is better known for his six-volume “Masnavi Ma’navi” (spiritual couplets), which is considered by many to be one of the greatest works of both Islamic mysticism and Persian literature.

January/09/2014

Museum lovers spoiled for choice as number of facilities in Turkey on rise

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s 370 museums, 188 of which are affiliated with the ministry, serve millions of local and foreign history and culture aficionados every year.

Museum buffs have reason to smile in Turkey, with dozens of new facilities opening around the country to show off the nation’s heritage and artifacts.

The number of museums increased to 370 over the past three years with new ones such as the world’s largest mosaic museum, the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, the Kırşehir Kaman Kalehöyük Archaeology Museum, the Eskişehir Eti Archaeology Museum, the Aydın Museum, as well as the Tokat Archaeology and Ethnography Museum.

more. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/museum-lovers-spoiled-for-choice-as-number-of-facilities-in-turkey-on-rise.aspx?pageID=238&nID=60432&NewsCatID=385

Museum breathes life into old craftsmanship

TOKAT - Anadolu Agency

Professions that have slowly faded away to the ebb and flow of time, have been captured, brought to life, and celebrated by a museum in Tokat

‘There is a collective memory of this city and our job is to keep this culture alive, says Erbaa mayor Ahmet Yenihan. AA photos

Recently opened museum in the Black Sea province’s Tokat municipality seeks to put professions that have been said to be destined to be forgotten under the spotlight, remembering the individuals who worked in such professions. In this regard, artisans, for the most part will take a significant place in the museum’s exhibition.

The three-year Tokat City Museum in a sense preserves several professions that have been almost forgotten, including carpet makers, knife grinders, saddle makers, cobblers (shoemakers), tinsmiths and tobacco makers, all of which are typified in the museum’s collection. The museum receives many domestic as well as international tourists.

read more: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/museum-breathes-life-into-old-craftsmanship.aspx?pageID=238&nID=58871&NewsCatID=385