Head of Communications Altun stated, "The genocide perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinians has been one of the greatest tests of global conscience since October 7, 2023. The resolution of this issue, which has stained the common heritage of humanity across the entire world with blood, requires a global initiative, one that is inclusive and fair, with a strong voice."
The Directorate of Communications organised a panel entitled "Bridging Nations: Strengthening Türkiye-United Kingdom Relations through Cultural Diplomacy" as part of the "Ramadan Tent Project" in London, the capital of the United Kingdom.
The Presidency's Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, addressed the programme participants via video message, stating that the relations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom have a longstanding history, encompassing not only political and economic ties but also cultural interactions. Head of Communications Altun emphasised that the two nations have developed a deeper understanding of one another through cultural diplomacy throughout history and that cooperation has been established in a diverse array of disciplines, including academia, media, and art. Head of Communications Altun noted that they convened to further advance deep-rooted relations and further reinforce the basis of mutual understanding between the two nations, noting that Ramadan is a time when we feel the strongest sense of unity, sharing and solidarity.
Head of Communications Altun stated that the Ramadan Tent Project in London was extremely valuable, adding that the event, along with numerous others, plays an important role in bringing together different cultures, uniting around shared values, and showcasing the universal power of a humanitarian stance.
Head of Communications Altun highlighted that the defining element in Türkiye's foreign policy is its humanitarian, conscientious stance and a perspective that prioritises peace above all, stating that Türkiye continues to be the voice of the oppressed and victims today, just as it has been throughout history, with its stabilising power. Head of Communications Altun said, "The genocide perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinians has been one of the greatest tests of global conscience since October 7, 2023. The resolution of this issue, which has stained the common heritage of humanity across the entire world with blood, requires a global initiative, one that is inclusive and fair, with a strong voice."
"Türkiye ready to do its part for peace"
Head of Communications Altun remarked that the Russia-Ukraine war and the humanitarian crisis it has caused are still ongoing and have not reached a definitive conclusion despite several attempts and added:
"As our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasised during his talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Türkiye is ready to do its part to facilitate peace, including hosting negotiations, as it has done so far. In this context, the enhancement of diplomatic and humanitarian cooperation between Türkiye and the United Kingdom is not only a requirement of inter-state relations but also of human dignity. Our bilateral relations, which have survived different challenges throughout the centuries and successfully overcome the tests of time, continue to serve as a guarantee of peace, stability and mutual understanding on a regional and global scale."
Head of Communications Altun stated that a significant element of this guarantee lies in the profound cultural relations that exist between our nations and that mutual student exchange programmes, joint studies conducted by scientists, and cultural and artistic events are among the pillars of the ties between the two countries. Head of Communications Altun highlighted that Turkish cinema, literature, and music are gaining traction in the UK, noting that British literature and arts appeal to a large base of followers in Türkiye.
Head of Communications Altun underlined that enhancing cultural exchange in every field, from theatre to festivals and documentary projects to gastronomy events, is invaluable in fostering friendship between the two societies.
"Bridging Nations: Strengthening Türkiye-United Kingdom Relations through Cultural Diplomacy" Panel
The panel was held by our Directorate as part of the "Ramadan Tent Project" at the residence of the Embassy of Türkiye in London and was attended by Ambassador of Türkiye to the UK Osman Koray Ertaş, Coordinator of the Türkiye Brand Office of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications Nur Özkan Erbay, and a British historian and author, Bettany M. Hughes.
Along with "Forward Thinking" Programme Director Jordan Morgan and academician Dr Carla Figueira, many guests attended the event.
"Our cultural ties continue to enrich our partnership"
Ambassador Ertaş delivered a speech at the commencement of the panel hosted by journalist Enda Brady, stating that Türkiye and the UK are strong allies, adding, "Our cultural ties continue to enrich our partnership." Ambassador Ertaş noted that millions of British tourists visit Türkiye each year, and tens of thousands of Turkish students, academics, and entrepreneurs travel to the UK for education and work, and emphasised that the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) in London and the British Council in Türkiye continue to build strong bridges.
Ambassador Ertaş stated that the decades-long cooperation between the two countries in the field of archaeology continues to connect the past to the present and said the panel held in London provides a ground to reflect on how culture shapes relationships.
Speaking at the panel, Coordinator of the Türkiye Brand Office of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications Nur Özkan Erbay touched upon the efforts exerted by the Office, saying that they act with the understanding that every Turkish citizen, whether at home or abroad, is a stakeholder and founder of the Türkiye brand. Erbay said, "All Turkish citizens, both in Türkiye and abroad, are brand ambassadors of Türkiye. That is why we are so fortunate."
Erbay underscored that Türkiye has placed the goal of bolstering the Türkiye brand at the centre of its communication policies and practices and said, "Therefore, these objectives derive their inspiration and strength from the vast culture and civilisational legacy of Türkiye, which has been home to numerous civilisations for centuries as well as the national identity of the Turkish nation and its people." Erbay underlined that they attribute great importance to cultural and humanitarian diplomacy in this context.
"I fell in love with Türkiye"
Speaking at the panel, British historian and author Hughes said that she has been producing films about Türkiye's cultural heritage for 25 years and that she has visited many of Türkiye's historically significant areas. Hughes said, "I fell in love with Türkiye. I was 18 when I first travelled to Türkiye for research. It was a world of many cultures. Türkiye had been home to numerous civilisations, and from that very moment on, I was determined to share this story with a wider audience."
Hughes noted that a movie she prepared with an emphasis on Türkiye's historical and archaeological importance was watched by over 50 million people worldwide, stating that an independent media agency also reported the movie was viewed by over 2 billion people.
"Türkiye's geographical position in the Middle East holds great importance"
Director of the "Forward Thinking" Programme Morgan indicated that he has been working in the field of conflict resolution for over ten years, with a primary focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and said:
"We have witnessed the devastation in Gaza in the last 16 months, and this has led me to reflect deeply on the state of the world. We are witnessing the breakdown of international law, international humanitarian law, and the rules-based system established after World War II, with military power frequently substituting communication. This holds dire consequences for all of us, not just in the UK and Türkiye but also for global security as a whole. I believe that Türkiye's geographical position in the Middle East holds great importance in this context."
Portuguese academician Dr Figueira also emphasised the importance of cultural diplomacy in her speech, referring to the critical role of artists, cultural ambassadors, and civil society in the development of cultural diplomacy.
As part of the panel, trucks with LED screens toured areas in the capital, London, including ministries, government institutions, and the parliament, as well as historical and touristic landmarks, while also highlighting the cultural ties between Türkiye and the UK.
