The 1st International Artuklu symposium which was organized last month under the main sponsorship of Genpa with the objective to share the cultural heritage of Mardin’s history and the Artuklu civilization has been attended by local and foreign scientists as well as many Mardin residents including the Wali of Mardin Mehmet Kılıçlar and his wife Asst. Prof. Dr Arzu Kılıçlar, deputy Wali’s, district governors, Mardin province and district municipality heads, and Genpa chairman Dr Zeynel Abidin Erdem.

"We are proud of our history"

Dr. Zeynel Abidin Erdem, whose family claims a 600-year history in Mardin said in the speech he gave at the symposium that as the people of Mardin they protect and take pride in their history. Mr Erdem stated that local and foreign researchers attending the symposium and sharing their knowledge on Mardin’s history and the Artuklu era with a Turkish and international audience are making a contribution and enhancement to Turkish history and cultural life, adding that it is a duty, honor and joy to introduce the cultural values of the Artuklu civilization to Turkey and the world.

Mr. Erdem continued his speech by saying: "As the Wali of Mardin, Ministry of Culture and UNESCO we are making great efforts to pass on this precious heritage to the next generations in a well preserved state. All of us, the people of Mardin, politicians, diplomats, businessmen, journalists are working to explain that the city where we were born is a "World Cultural Asset" I would like to thank every one of the historians, scientists, academicians attending the 1st International Artuklu symposium and the friends of Mardin all over the world". Istanbul Technical University academic lecturer Prof Dr Metin Sözen who participated in the symposium emphasized in his speech that cities in many Turkish provinces including Mardin are lacking an architectural preservation plan. Mr Sözen said, "Unfortunately all our cities are in a state of struggle in this respect. We have to find those sites of love that create a city out of a city. Talking in this territory is different from talking in other territories. People living on this geography have talked about the future years ago and written about our wishes. The people living in this geography have a duty to see, and discuss the values of this geography."

Another speaker of the symposium, Prof Dr Ahmet Ağırakçe pointed out that in this place where four different languages are spoken and four different religions practiced, it is obligatory to set up a faculty of languages and civilizations under the auspices of the Artuklu University. Mr Ağırakçe said "I ask young people to dedicate one hour of their day to the city. I want them to dream about their cities and their future."

Result declaration

The result declaration published after the symposium included the following : "Mardin is characterized as "Cultural Legacy" both for Turkey and the world and should be protected. Universities should be assigned responsibility for the collection of the cultural legacy and customs in line with scientific principles. To this end, it is deemed beneficial to organize a "Mardin Researches Center or Institute" under the auspices of the Mardin University which is newly founded with the objective of further development to collect all accumulated knowledge within the organization by using contemporary methods and equipment for research and development purposes to be ultimately opened up to utilization and counseling. Doubtlessly, the Mardin Historical Specialization Library existent in Mardin will constitute the core of said center or institute. The university to be established in cooperation with the Mardin Wali Office, local administrations, NOG’s and private sector will be of great significance for the promotion and preservation of Mardin and Artuklu’s heritage."

School for Fallen Veterans

Erdem Holding Chairman Dr Zeynel Abidin Erdem will undertake the building of a school dedicated to the memory of fallen soldiers within the scope of the "Support for the Fight against Terrorism" campaign organized by the Habertürk channel.

Erdem Holding Chairman Dr Zeynel Abidin Erdem announced that businessmen should support organizations set up to aid the relatives of fallen soldiers. Mr Erdem promised to build a school in memory of fallen soldiers to contribute to Habertürk channel’s campaign, adding "The Turkish people should think about who lies on the musalla stone? Why is he lying there, who has he left behind? We have 1 million soldiers for every handful earth of the Turkish Republic. And these soldiers are unlike other soldiers. They will never ask where is my glass of wine, my girl friend, my salary. I will have a school built in memory of our fallen lieutenant whose wife tells his children when they cry out "mother where is father?" that "my son, your father will come, do not cry". The late (President) Turgut Özal often repeated a phrase, "Do not give them fish, teach them how to fish". As businessmen it is our duty to set up such organizations for the relatives of our fallen soldiers."