‘Treasures of Konya and Sille’ exhibition opens in Greece, celebrating shared cultural ties

“Treasures of Konya and Sille” exhibition, showcasing items and photographs belonging to Cappadocian refugees, has officially opened in Kavala, Greece.

The exhibition, a collaborative effort between Konya Selcuklu Municipality, Kavala Municipality, the Muhammed Ali Research Center (MOHA), the New Gerveli Cappadocia Research Center and Necmettin Erbakan University – aims to highlight the rich cultural ties between Türkiye and Greece.

Key figures, including Konya Selcuklu Mayor Ahmet Pekyatirmaci, AK Party Konya Deputy Mustafa Hakan Ozer, Türkiye’s Consul General in Komotini Aykut Unal and Necmettin Erbakan University Rector professor Cem Zorlu, attended the opening ceremony.

Mayor Pekyatirmaci emphasized the exhibition’s significance in preserving and promoting shared cultural heritage.

He noted a similar exhibition was held during last year’s International Sille Symposium in Konya and expressed pride in bringing these treasured artifacts from Konya and Sille to Greece.

‘Glimpse into our century-old coexistence’

Pekyatirmaci highlighted the exhibition’s role in showcasing the coexistence and tolerance that existed a century ago, adding that such cultural initiatives positively impact relations between Türkiye and Greece.

He reminded attendees that the exhibition reflects the history of Muslims migrating from Greece to Anatolia and Christians moving from Anatolia to Greece – underscoring past shared spaces and cultures.

Turkish-Greek friendship: Legacy of Ataturk

Consul General Aykut Unal reaffirmed the importance of Turkish-Greek friendship, describing it as a legacy left by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. He stressed the need to preserve this legacy and emphasized the shared experiences of both nations, rooted in a common geography and destiny.

Unal also referenced the Athens Declaration, signed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek President Kyriakos Mitsotakis on December 7, 2023, highlighting the renewed cooperation between the two countries and urging collective contributions to this process.

The exhibition will be open until Sept. 10, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the intertwined histories of Konya and Sille.