Turkish City Hosts Conference Focused On Genoese Artifacts

Turkey's third-largest city Izmir hosted a conference Monday gathering experts from Turkey and Italy within the scope of joint efforts to include Genoese artifacts on UNESCO's World Heritage List and promoting them to the world.

The conference was attended by diplomats, businesspeople and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from Italy as part of the joint work initiated to include the artifacts on the shores of the Black Sea and Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean seas.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Izmir Governor Yavuz Selim Kosger stressed that the Genoese discovered the commercial potential of Izmir years ago and built "permanent works of art" in the region.

He also emphasized that Izmir, which has been a trade center for centuries, has an important infrastructure in tourism nowadays with its natural beauty and genuine cuisine.

"We need to think about where we want to reach in tourism and bring all the components together and move Izmir and Turkey to the point it deserves," he added.

Strengthening cooperation

Italy's Ambassador to Turkey Massimo Gaiani said the meeting in Izmir meant strengthening the cooperation between the two countries.

"These meetings on the Genoese castles can also be considered as a regional development opportunity," he said.

Reminding that the Genoese carried out trade activities in the Mediterranean in the Middle Ages, Gaiani said the Mediterranean Sea is a "great bridge" in terms of culture, wealth and communication.

"For both sides, this cooperation project will be an added success to the archaeological cooperation of Italy and Turkey," he said, adding that more than 12 Italian archeology teams work in Turkey, sharing their experiences and making contributions.

"I also believe that the cooperation will be very beneficial for Turkey and Italy in terms of tourism. It is a very intense process for UNESCO. We will do our best for this," he said.

Valerio Giorgio, the consul of Italy in Izmir, emphasized that the protection and promotion of Genoese heritage will bring a touristic and commercial presence to the Aegean coast.

Cooperation protocol

Gokhan Yazgi, head of the General Directorate for Cultural Heritage and Museums, who attended the meeting online, underlined that they are working with NGOs for the protection of Turkey's cultural heritage.

Yazgi highlighted that they signed a cooperation protocol to work with the Turkey ONE Association for the inclusion of "Castle and Walled Settlements on the Genoese Trade Route from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea" on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

It comprises some of the noticeable trading ports situated in areas where the Genoese influence is still being observed. The property consists of the Yoros, Foca, Candarlı, Cesme, Amasra, Akcakoca and Sinop forts as well as the Guvercinada Fortress and the City Walls and Galata tower.

Demet Sabanci Cetindogan, head of the Turkey ONE Association, said the Genoese, one of the most important actors of world trade in Anatolia, left unique works in the region.

"Understanding these works is a historical responsibility for us. We will try to do our part and pass it on to future generations. The Genoese heritage trade route is alive and has a lot to tell us," said Cetindogan.

After the opening speeches,
Ilber Ortayli, a well-known veteran Turkish historian of Ottoman studies, gave a conference on the past political and commercial activities of the countries in the region.

*Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev from Ankara -