Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy attended the groundbreaking ceremony of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Congress, Culture and Fair Center.
Speaking at the ceremony attended by Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, Şehitkamil Mayor Umut Yılmaz, Şahinbey Mayor Mehmet Tahmazoğlu, AK Party Gaziantep Provincial Chairman Fatih Muhaddis Fedaioğlu and MHP Gaziantep Provincial Chairman Mehmet Sait Kılıç, Ersoy wished that the center would be completed in a short time and put at the service of the people of Gaziantep.
Stating that, as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, they adopt a human-oriented approach in every project implemented, from culture and art centers to libraries, from museums to other cultural buildings, Ersoy said:
"As the Ministry, we aim to ensure that every work we build, whether it be culture and art centres, libraries or museums, adds value to people's lives, enables them to use their time both enjoyable and productive, includes knowledge, culture and art no matter which area it is built specifically for, and meets expectations such as learning, entertainment and experience. For this reason, we always implement the concept of social living space and create corporate structures that will be frequented by all ages and segments of society."
Stating that Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality has put forward an understanding that aims to provide the highest standards of service to citizens, Ersoy said that this is satisfactory.
Touching on the technical features of the building in his speech, Ersoy stated that the center will make significant contributions to the trade, culture and art life of the city with its auditorium for 1788 people and a closed fair area of 4 thousand square meters.
Emphasizing that the center, which consists of congress halls, exhibition and workshop areas, pocket cinema, hearing and visually impaired audience halls and social facilities, is an exceptional project, Ersoy said that it will host very special art events with its sound, light, decor systems and movable front stage platform suitable for all kinds of shows.
"When this structure is completed, it will be a very serious gain for our city, from economic life to socio-cultural life, and it will undoubtedly open the door to different gains with the opportunities it offers."
Minister Ersoy thanked Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin and everyone who contributed to the construction of the center and wished that the project would be beneficial to Gaziantep.
Stating that Gaziantep is a blend of Mediterranean and Mesopotamian cultures and has hosted many great civilizations from Babylon to Hittite, from Egypt to Persia and Rome, from Commagene to Seljuk and Ottoman, Ersoy stated that this historical accumulation is one of the most important values of the city.
Stating that Gaziantep carries thousands of years of cultural heritage to the present day due to its location on the Silk Road, Ersoy stated that the city has a versatile cultural treasure, from faith to architecture, from traditional arts to cuisine.
Stating that Zeugma, Yesemek, Karkamış, Dülük, Tilmen Höyük and Gaziantep Castle shed light on different periods of human history, Ersoy noted that the city continues to keep its past alive, from traditional houses to historical streets, from coppersmith tradition to Yemen mastery.
Minister Ersoy, who devoted a special place to Gaziantep cuisine in his speech, said that gastronomy is one of the most important identity elements of the city, with approximately 500 unique food varieties, 35 of which are registered.
Reminding that Gaziantep received the "Local Gastronomy and Tourism" award within the scope of the European Distinguished Destinations Project in 2015 and was included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of gastronomy in the same year, Ersoy stated that Gaziantep, which has a say in the world culinary literature, is one of Türkiye's strongest gastronomy cities in the international arena.
Minister Ersoy stated that activities continue uninterruptedly to protect the historical and cultural values of Gaziantep and to fully transfer them to future generations, and made evaluations about the future of the city.
Minister Ersoy stated the following in his statements:
"As the Ministry, we work tirelessly to protect and preserve every unique element of these lands and to convey them to our generations in full. I can easily say that Gaziantep will continue to be one of the main destinations of Turkish culture and tourism in the future, as it has been until today. All the different riches and potential it has will be meticulously evaluated and will continue to provide benefits and profits to our country and people."
Ersoy concluded his speech by stating that together with all public institutions and private sector stakeholders, especially the Governorship and Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, they will continue their determination to move Gaziantep further in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Turkey Century vision.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy also opened the Digital Art Museum within the scope of the Gaziantep program. Ersoy also visited Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality's Gluten-Free Another Cafe, which contributes to the vocational training and employment of disadvantaged individuals and is the first "Protected Workplace" implemented by local governments in Türkiye, and chatted with its employees.