The screening of the documentary "Treasures with Bettany Hughes: Türkiye - Ancient Origins," which focuses on the cultural heritage of Türkiye by the famous British historian Bettany Hughes, was held in London.
In addition to Hughes, Osman Koray Ertaş, Türkiye's Ambassador to London; Büşra Karaduman Aktuna, the Communications Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy in London; and a large audience attended the screening held at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in London.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Ertaş stated that Anatolia had been the home of various civilisations throughout history, and the documentary captured this depth in a powerful way.
Ambassador Ertaş said, "With its heritage extending from the Hittites and Phrygians to the Romans, Seljuks, and Ottomans, Anatolia has served as a bridge not only between continents but also between ideas, beliefs, and cultures. These lands tell stories of abundance, love, and compassion," and stated that Türkiye attracted visitors from all over the world not only with its natural beauty but also with its cultural wealth and historical heritage.
Ambassador Ertaş emphasised that Türkiye's status as the world's fourth most popular tourism destination was no coincidence and that approximately 4.5 million British nationals visited Türkiye in 2024.
Ambassador Ertaş also expressed gratitude to famous historian and documentary filmmaker Bettany Hughes and to the Presidency's Directorate of Communications for its contribution to the organisation of the event.
"My journey to Anatolia changed my life"
Following the remarks of Ambassador Ertaş, segments from the documentary were screened during a panel moderated by TRT World anchor Maria Ramos.
Sharing her experiences from the documentary, Hughes recounted how she first visited Türkiye 40 years ago at the age of 18 and spent eight weeks hitchhiking around Anatolia.
Hughes, who noted that she was deeply moved by the sunrise view in Ephesus, said, "Suddenly, I understood the story of the world, how profound this story is, and how cultures come together. That was the moment I decided what I wanted to do with my life. I was going to be an academic and professional historian. That journey changed my life."
Hughes described how deeply impressed she was by the hospitality she experienced during her visit to a Yörük family, and segments were shown from the time she was at the home of İbrahim, a retired worker who participated in the excavation of the ancient city of Aphrodisias in Aydın.
The screening also included segments from the chapters of the documentary filmed in the ancient cities of Bergama, Sagalassos, Gordion, and Aphrodisias.
"A moment of shared discovery"
At the end of the screening, Büşra Karaduman Aktuna, the Communications Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy in London, took the floor and thanked Ambassador Ertaş, Presidency's Directorate of Communications, Hughes, and the audience.
Stating that Hughes approached history with elegance and passion, Aktuna said, "For us, this event is not just a film screening but also a moment of shared discovery. Being here with such a distinguished audience brought together by curiosity and admiration reminds us of the power of storytelling to unite us beyond time and space."
Aktuna stated that discovering Türkiye's riches and cultural heritage together was a very special feeling.
