Haluk Dursun

The touching story of the Ertu?rul Frigate, which sank in 1890 in the coast off Japan, and the rescue of 215 Japanese citizens during the Iran-Iraq war in 1985 upon the order of the Turkish prime minister of the time, Turgut Özal, was launched at a press conference held at the Y?ld?z Palace Theater on April 28 in Istanbul. 

A museum is under construction on the castle of Zile, known for Roman Emperor Julius Caesar?s famous phrase ?veni, vidi, vici? (I came, I saw, I conquered) to the Roman senate. A stone building, which was established on the land on the right side of the historic castle in the northern province of Tokat, is set to open as a museum when the refurbishments are complete.

A press conferences was held Jan. 23 to provide information about the progress of the ?Turkey: Home? campaign, which was launched by the Culture and Tourism Ministry for Turkey?s promotion abroad.

The campaign includes a detailed digital and social media campaign as well as newspaper, magazine and open air advertisements all around the world.

Leading cultural, historical and business figures came together on Jan. 21 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris for a conference on Göbeklitepe, during which participants reiterated their commitment to improving the Neolithic site.

The Presidential Culture and Grand Awards of 2014 will be presented to actress Gönül Ülkü Özcan, elegy performer Celal Yilmaz, lyricist Beşir Ayvazoğlu and the Kubbealtı Academy Culture and Arts Foundation, Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik has announced.

The recipients of this year’s Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Awards were announced Oct. 29, with famous actress Hülya Koçyiğit leading the list of winners.

Koçyiğit took home the award in the field of cinema as Niyazi Sayın won in the field of music, Alev Alatlı was honored in literature and Professor Engin Akarlı was selected for history.