LONDON (AA) - An exhibition entitled ``Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years`` will be opened at the Royal Academy of Arts in British capital of London between January 22nd and April 12th, 2005.
The exhibition, exploring the artistic achievements of the Turks over 1,000 historic years, is expected to be visited by more than 400,000 people.
This is the first exhibition ever to explore the development of the Turks and comprises a wealth of materials, stretching from the eastern borders of modern China to the Balkans in the west.
The Royal Academy of Arts will hold artifacts of Turkish culture from 600 AD to 1600. It spans three Turkish empires, beginning with the Uyghurs of the 7th century. It also includes the Seljuks and the Ottomans, with 350 pieces covering 1,000 years of the region`s history.
Bringing together over 350 outstanding works, the exhibition is drawn principally from the celebrated collections of two Turkish museums, The Topkapi Palace Museum and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art of Istanbul.
Door designed by Architect Sinan as the door of Privy Chamber of Murat III in 1578, 6 square meters of a well-preserved carpet belonging to the 13th century (Seljuk era), valuable porcelain, helmets, diary of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, and caftan of Sultan Selim II from Topkapi Palace Museum are among artifacts to be displayed in the exhibition.
Conferences and meetings will be held within the framework of the exhibition.
On the other hand, Akin Alptuna, Turkey`s Ambassador to Britain, said that they expected an increase in interest of English people in Turkey after this exhibition.
Alptuna stated that Turkish Culture & Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu would attend the inauguration, while Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul might arrive in Britain for the opening ceremony if his schedule permitted.
Akin Alptuna added that they expected the British government to be represented in the inauguration in the same level.
2005-01-10