Speech By H.E.Abdullah Gül at the Opening of Mimar Sinan Exhibition

09.11.2010
Yazdır Paylaş Yazıları Büyült Yazıları Küçült

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the great pleasure to inaugurate the Mimar Sinan exhibition on the occasion of my visit to London. I would like to thank you all for joining us today in celebrating the works of a genius architect.

Mimar Sinan is a part of Ottoman and Turkish culture, a milestone and a source of inspiration in Islamic architecture and a part of the common heritage we share with countries from Romania to Saudi Arabia, from Greece to Israel.

And I am sure we are all united in our appreciation and admiration of his works.

Mimar Sinan has built over four hundred buildings through his career as the Chief Royal Architect to the Ottoman Court in the sixteenth century. Today, in this exhibition, we are going to see some of his works which are technical as well as aesthetical masterpieces built over four centuries ago, standing the test of time.

Some people tend to compare Mimar Sinan to his contemporary, Michelangelo, but Sinan’s devotion to improve the quality of life for the people was unrivalled. He did not only build mosques.  Other structures such as bridges, baths, schools, hospitals, viaducts are parts of his legacy.

Mimar Sinan’s work is scattered around a very large area stretching from the Middle East to Europe. In addition to his works, Mimar Sinan was also a school that trained and influenced a marvellous generation of architects through which his impact reached even further places. One of his apprentices was the architectural designer of Taj Mahal in India. Another built the Mostar Bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mimar Sinan is one of the most precious values of Turkey, for whom I take personal pride for being from the same town.

Unfortunately, Mimar Sinan is almost unknown in the West. I believe that through this exhibition, we will contribute towards a better understanding of this great architect in the Western World.

On this occasion, I would like to thank Royal Institute of British Architects for opening its doors for this exhibition. There couldn’t be a more appropriate venue and audience in London to celebrate the architectural genius of Mimar Sinan.

I would also like to thank DOKU Film for putting together this wonderful exhibition after a painstaking research period.

Thank you.

Yazdır Paylaş Yukarı