How can attacks on cultural heritage in Turkey be prevented? 'It doesn't bring back what was lost'
Last month, first the Double Minaret Madrasa and then the Akbaş Baba Tomb were damaged by graffiti spray-painted on their walls. While the destruction of cultural heritage deeply saddens the people living in the region, efforts have been initiated to restore the historical monuments to their original state. Art Law Institute Board Member Lawyer Aşkın Sultan Kurt and art historian Burhan Kurtulmuş Aytoslu shared their assessments with 12punto.com.tr regarding the damage caused to these works.
Ezgi Sivritepe
Ezgi Sivritepe- 12punto.com
Last month, in Sivas, the Double Minaret Madrasa was damaged by graffiti spray-painted on it. The Sivas Governorship stated that it had launched an investigation into the 4 individuals who caused the damage, and the Regional Directorate of Foundations , the graffiti written was temporarily coveredwith a tarp. Subsequently, the Akbaş Baba Tomb, also in Sivas, was damaged by graffiti spray-painted on its walls. The perpetrator of the damage could not be identified.
The frequently encountered "cultural heritagedestruction"inTurkeyis a pressing issue. evaluating Art Law Institute Board Member Member Lawyer Aşkın Sultan Kurt made statements.
HOW DOES THE LEGAL PROCESS WORK?
CuAddressing the legal process regarding the destruction of cultural heritage, Kurt stated, " Cultural assets are protected under Law No. 2863 on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Property, as well as regulations and international conventions. The destruction of cultural assets is divided into two categories: movable and immovable. According to Law No. 2863, regarding immovable culturalcultural assets, and every act that may cause their deterioration or destruction is prohibited. For this type of crime, there are sanctions of imprisonment from two to five years and judicial fines of up to five thousand days," she said.
"IT DOESN'T BRING BACK WHAT WAS LOST..."
Existing laws and regulations; regarding the historical, cStating thatsuch actsdo notbring back losses such as cultural and aesthetic value, Kurt noted, "Public institutions and organizations takingthe necessary precautions iscrucial.isofgreat importanceimportance," she stated. Kurt also added thatcultucultural heritage to protect for the responsible authorities are stated.
Explaining the legal sanctions that can be applied to prevent the loss of cultural heritage, Kurt stated the following:
"Compensating for the damage caused to a cultural asset is not a min cases where it is not possible, deciding to open an investigation immediately would be beneficial in preventing this situation. Because from the relevant authorities "protection" the decision-making process regarding this is in need of acceleration"
TuStating that Turkey has an internationallevelof responsibility due to its possession of these works,Kurtsaid, "As the Art Law Institute, our legal follow-ups continue alongside academic studies regarding the destruction of artworks and cultural assets, as well as the smuggling of such works."
“A PART OF HUMANITY…”
Art historian Burhan Kurtulmuş Aytoslu, while offering ideas on how to prevent the destruction of cultural heritage, also discussed how damaged works are restored to their original state.
Aytoslu stated thatifgraffiti is spray-painted on a plain wall made of cut stone, it will not damage the structure and can be removed using the sandblastingmethod,adding, "In the simplest terms, completely demolishing some historical structures and rebuilding them using different materials is one method, and there is no technical issue with choosing it. However, when it comes to a painting, the restoration process becomes more difficult. For those living there, historical monuments are a part of humanity. If we want to protect cultural heritage, we must explain the importance of the monument to the people living in the area where it is located” he said.
“WE MUST TEACH IT AT SCHOOL AGE”
Aytoslu, who believes that education is currently poor, stated that the solution for protecting cultural heritage lies in education and added:
“Course content is quite inadequate. If there is a 500-year-old inn in the city where a child lives, we have to make them 'grasp' what that inn is. Just mentioning it in lessons doesn't mean anything. What matters is that all 30 students in a class leave having 'understood' it. For this reason, the public living in a unique open-air museum like Anatolia must be provided with art history education from school age that explains this museum they live in and encourages them to take ownership of it" he stated.
“THE PUBLIC KEEPS THE MONUMENT STANDING”
Stating that state institutions must apply legal procedures without listening to orders or nepotism, Aytoslu said that some structures should be exhibited without being restored, and concluded his remarks as follows:
“The owner of a monument is the public living there. If we want a monument to remain standing, the public is what keeps that structure standing. Unfortunately, a model of a person who is alienated from the street, neighborhood, city, and even the world they live in is being created. Art history education should be reprogrammed and taught in schools according to our country's historical assets. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's following words actually summarize the whole issue: 'The way to own a homeland is to know the historical events that took place on those lands, and to recognize and possess the civilizations that were born there'’”