ISTANBUL - The exhibition of ''the Ottoman Magnificence in Palaces of Florence from the Medicis to the Savoys'' was inaugurated at Istanbul's Sabanci Museum on Sunday.
The exhibition organized in cooperation between Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sabanci University is comprised of portraits of Ottoman sultans, paintings, hand-made carpets, tiles, weapons and household utensils, all belonged to the Ottoman Empire era which were collected by the Medicis, a family that dominated Florentine politics for two and a half centuries.
The exhibition will remain open till March 21, 2004.
Meanwhile, speaking at the inauguration, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, ''there is not the clash of civilizations in this museum. On the contrary, one will witness the meeting of civilizations and cultures. During the European Union (EU) Term Presidency of Italy, we have expanded great efforts to put an end to the clash of civilizations. I believe that these unique works of art will make a valuable contribution to the meeting of civilizations.''
''We cannot realize the deep historical roots of Turkey-Europe relations from newspapers and political statements. Museums and such exhibitions will unveil the history of these relations,'' he added.
Meanwhile, Italian Ambassador to Turkey Vittorio Surdo said that despite Istanbul bombings in November, they had paid careful attention to open the exhibition at the date set earlier in order to further consolidate bilateral relations between Turkey and Italy.
Stressing that the works of art displayed in the exhibition were the symbols of centuries-long cultural relations between Turkey and Italy, Surdo expressed his wish that the exhibition would contribute to Turkey's inevitable journey to Europe.
(UK-AÖ) 22.12.2003