Presidency's Head of Communications Fahrettin Altun attended the launch event for the book titled "Türkiye's Cultural Mobilisation in the 21st Century" and the opening of the Exhibition "No Way Out" organised by the Directorate of Communications at Atatürk Cultural Centre.
During the symposium's opening, Head of Communications Altun remarked that today's world is often referred to as the "Age of Speed, emphasising that society is facing extremely aggressive cultural attacks. Head of Communications Altun expressed his belief that Türkiye must engage in a cultural mobilisation to counter these attempts as cultural encirclement, stating, “We continue to advance our efforts in this direction. Mobilisation, as you know, is a method employed during times when national unity and solidarity are threatened. We have purposefully chosen this title for our symposium and book. We believe that our nation, Türkiye, is engaged in "a pitched battle," a "tough struggle," particularly in the realm of culture and that there is an urgent need for mobilisation in this endeavour. Our 'No Way Out' exhibition and the initiatives that led to it are current examples of this struggle."
The Head of Communications highlighted that this exhibition would not only contribute to the prevention of damage and smuggling affecting our cultural assets but would also raise awareness of the harms caused by illegal excavations. He went on to say, "Our Ministry of Culture and Tourism is genuinely exerting great effort to repatriate many historical artefacts that have been taken abroad by illegal means, bringing them back to their rightful home. Since 2002, more than 12,000 artefacts have been repatriated to Türkiye. Nearly two-thirds of these repatriations, which account for about 8,000 artefacts, have occurred in just the last six years."
Head of Communications Altun quoted the late philosopher Teoman Duralı, who said, "There can be no society without culture, nor culture without society," and explained that societies like Türkiye have faced the threat of cultural erosion under the guise of "Westernisation" for years.
Head of Communications Altun pointed out that these attempts at cultural erosion are efforts to dismantle the society and continued:
"The fight we will wage for our culture as a nation in unity and solidarity is one of the assurances of our independence and future. There are those who strive to stop us from embracing our struggle, from living our culture in unity and solidarity, and from preserving the values distilled from it. Those who persist in this pursuit aim to institutionalise national and international exploitative relationships in the cultural realm. We are facing a global hegemony that normalises cultural colonisation. This hegemonic system, on one hand, is sustained by hedonism."
Head of Communications Altun added, "We do not need another version of existing cultural hegemony models, either locally or universally. We are making a call that is deep-rooted in our historical, social, and cultural existence when we call for cultural mobilisation in response to cultural attacks and attempts at hegemony, from which we suffer various forms of exploitation and which we face both globally and locally."
"We must defend cultural authenticity"
Head of Communications Altun shared that nearly seven years ago, when he came across a display at a bookstore featuring books promoting terrorism, he took a photo and posted it on social media with the note, "Your political hegemony is over; your cultural hegemony will end too!" He then continued,
"I must say clearly that the stance I held that day, the thoughts I had, remain the same today. I believe now, as I did then, that we need a cultural foundation and pluralism that authentically reflects Türkiye’s diversity; that is, we need genuine pluralism! The mechanisms that produce culture must represent the true culture of society. I believe that cultural representations should reflect societal representations. Now, as then, I advocate that we do not need one cultural hegemony to replace another but rather an authentic cultural interaction ground and a true cultural mobilisation. Now, as then, I argue that we must advocate for cultural pluralism and cultural authenticity against the so-called cultural intelligentsia that marginalises, excludes, insults, and applies peer pressure on others. I argue that we must defend cultural pluralism and cultural authenticity. Now, as then, I highlight that it is a clear example of 'cultural fascism' to present the writings and drawings of those who glorify terrorism, engage in so-called 'revolutionary violence' to propagate terrorism, and romanticise vandalism as 'the reality of Türkiye.' 'We will fight against this'. We must. Thus, I promise to rise against the "mankurts" (mindless slaves), those "half-portion intellectuals," as the late Turkish musician Cem Karaca so poignantly characterised them, who seek to bind Türkiye once more with the chains of dependence—everywhere, in every sphere, and to the utmost degree."
"The privileged elites imposing cultural hegemony on society have also lost their legitimacy."
Fahrettin Altun said the modernisation experience Türkiye has gained under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over the past 22 years since the year 2002 tells us a great deal.
Stating that "During these 22 years, Türkiye has not only overcome significant challenges but has also achieved monumental breakthroughs," Head of Communications Altun said:
"Türkiye has faced down centres of tutelage, terrorist organisations, and international powers that protect them. It has dethroned Western hegemony. Türkiye has begun to develop its own political agenda and strategy. In this process, Türkiye has transformed; as it transformed, our nation has triumphed. Türkiye has grown, become freer, and reached a higher level of prosperity. Alongside Western hegemony, the Western modernisation paradigm and the privileged elites who imposed cultural hegemony on society within that paradigm have lost their legitimacy."
Head of Communications Altun pointed out that this cultural awareness emerging in Türkiye, in essence, became an inspiration not only for the Islamic world but also for all non-Western societies and emphasised that Türkiye’s public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy activities made significant contributions.
Altun, emphasising the importance of cultural diplomacy, noted that institutions such as TİKA, the Yunus Emre Institute, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, TRT, and the Anadolu Agency have made significant contributions to cultural mobilisation.
Head of Communications Altun stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wrote the foreword for the book "Türkiye's Cultural Mobilisation in the 21st Century."
On the occasion of the symposium, Altun expressed his hope that the suffering of all oppressed people around the world, especially in Gaza, who are subjected to the cruelty of tyrants, will come to an end. He stated, "I want to reiterate that we will continue to work with all our strength for a fairer and more livable world."
Head of Communications Altun, together with Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Governor of Istanbul Davut Gül, inaugurated the exhibition titled "No Way Out," organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications. Following the opening, Altun explored the exhibition and received insights about the artworks.
The exhibition features artefacts, including the Cybele statue, repatriated from the United States, a red-beaded gold necklace, and a beak spouted ewer repatriated from the United Kingdom, along with the Holy Quran.
Head of Communications Altun's post
In a message shared on his social media account regarding the program, Head of Communications Altun stated:
"I was truly delighted to gather at the 'Türkiye's Cultural Mobilisation in the 21st Century' Symposium, organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, to present our book of the same name and our exhibition, 'No Way Out,' which highlights the struggle against cultural heritage smuggling.
I hope that our symposium, our exhibition, and our book, which address Türkiye's public policies in the field of culture in depth, will be successful and will yield auspicious outcomes.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to the preparation of the symposium and exhibition. I would like to express my gratitude to our Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, for his participation."
