Regarding the Gaza Child Artists Exhibition held within the scope of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum (ADF), Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun said, "We sincerely want, on the one hand, to reveal the oppression in Gaza, and, on the other, to clearly demonstrate to the entire world Türkiye's just struggle against this oppression, so that such oppressions never take place. To prevent these atrocities, the entire world must work together and fight for truth in the name of rights and justice."
Director of Communications Altun visited the "Bulletproof Dreams: Gaza Child Artists Exhibition" organised by the Directorate of Communications within the scope of ADF, which kicked off at the NEST Congress and Exhibition Centre in the Belek Tourism Centre in Antalya with the theme "Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil."
In his statement to reporters, Director of Communications Altun noted that the ADF is one of Türkiye's most important international public diplomacy brands, having hosted numerous leaders.
Remarking that this Forum was realised under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Director of Communications Altun said, "It is a crucial and important forum where critical global and regional issues will be discussed under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With an innovative exhibition logic, we hoped to inform the international guests attending this Forum about the Gaza issue, one of the world's most pressing problems right now. The Gaza Child Artists exhibition, which debuted in Taksim with the First Lady's gracious presence and is still ongoing, is something we wanted to showcase and shine a spotlight on here. Our President will open the Gaza Child Artists Exhibition alongside other leaders. As they make their way through here, they will deliver the opening remarks of the Forum."
Director of Communications Altun indicated that the exhibition essentially depicted the atrocities perpetrated by Israel during Operation Cast Lead in 2009, as well as the cruelty committed through children's minds, hearts, and eyes.
Remarking that the paintings drawn by Gazan children are featured in the exhibition, Director of Communications Altun said, "Each of these paintings is a true work of art. These paintings essentially reveal how Israel's oppression is a historical oppression. Since that day, Israel has continued to increase its atrocities in Gaza and Palestine. When you visit and examine the exhibition that is currently open, both here and in Taksim, you can clearly see that, unfortunately, Israel had used phosphorus bombs, bombed civilians, murdered children and women, and targeted both civilians and healthcare workers on that day as well. And it continues its massacres today."
"The whole world must fight in cooperation to prevent these atrocities"
Stating that children also witnessed the massacres, Director of Communications Altun said:
"The children have depicted it in their own pure and clear way. You can see that here. We sought to showcase this in our exhibition through innovative digital display methods and digital art techniques. Here, we really wanted to tell the world about the atrocities in Gaza through the eyes of children. Tomorrow, our exhibition will have the honour of welcoming the First Lady and the spouses of the leaders. We sincerely want, on the one hand, to reveal the oppression and, on the other, to clearly demonstrate to the entire world Türkiye's just struggle against this oppression so that such oppressions never take place. To prevent these atrocities, the entire world must work together and fight for truth in the name of rights and justice. Because this exhibition also aims to expose the policy of deceit that Israel essentially pursues. What we are carrying out in this regard is one of the manifestations of the struggle for truth carried out by Türkiye under the leadership of our President."
Director of Communications Altun emphasised that exhibitions were conducted using innovative methods and approaches within ADF and said, "We must highlight them as well. Mr Refik Anadol's exhibition is truly significant. Similarly, the Diplomacy Tunnel is an exhibition that unveils the richness of Türkiye's diplomatic history, illustrates the point this diplomacy has reached with the 'Century of Türkiye', and how it has propelled Türkiye into a regional and global power."
Director of Communications Altun stressed that they were endeavouring to bolster the process with exhibitions to complement the diplomatic activities at the ADF and said, "Hopefully, the forum will be a resounding success. Under the leadership of our President, this Forum is evolving into an international brand. Our President also conducts numerous bilateral meetings within the framework of this forum."
