EDIRNE - Trakya University Rector Prof. Dr. Osman Inci has said that the Sultan Bayezid II Complex, which was awarded with European Museum Prize, was the only university museum making a significant contribution to the understanding of European cultural heritage.
Holding a press conference, Prof. Dr. Inci said on Monday, ``the Sultan Bayezid II Museum of Health Care was presented by the Council of Europe with the 2004 European Museum Prize in a ceremony held in Strasbourg, France, April 27. The complex has been the only university museum awarded by the Council of Museum since 1977.``
Noting that they would leave for Greek capital Athens tomorrow to attend European Museum Forum between May 6 and 9, Prof. Dr. Inci said that they had completed all preparatory works to promote the museum, the Trakya University and Turkey in the best way.
The museum is part of a hospital and religious complex, built in the 1484 by Sultan Bayezid II, which was a place for treating people with mental disorders using holistic treatments such as the sound of water, music and aromatic compounds. Visitors today can sit and listen to the sounds of music and water used to calm patients several centuries ago.
The jury of the prize commended, ``this successful and exemplary approach to the psychologically sensitive theme of mental disorder`` and expressed the hope that the museum might serve as a further bridge between the cultures of western and eastern Europe. The prize is awarded by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly`s Committee on Culture, Science and Education on the basis of a shortlist presented by a jury of the European Museum Forum.
The winning museum will be presented with a bronze statuette, which the museum will keep for a year, as well as a diploma and a cheque for 5 thousand euros.
(UK-AY) 03.05.2004