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Speech by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Ms Zeynep Yıldız,

Mr. Fatih Dönmez,

Parliamentarians, Excellencies, Ambassadors,

Dear friends,

I am delighted to welcome you on behalf of the Council of Europe, to the opening of this unique event: “Türkiye Weaving Atlas — Memory of Fabric” exhibition.

Türkiye has been a key member of the Council of Europe since 1949, choosing the silver lining of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

These three threads, woven into the fabric of a united Europe.

But Türkiye’s impressive cultural heritage precedes our 1949 founding by centuries.

Situated at the apex of the Silk Road, Türkiye’s history is interesting, rich and varied — as rich and varied as these visible and unique symbols we see here today of memory and culture.

And each region of Türkiye has its own style, its own motifs, its own traditions.

Through this exhibition we can picture the women engaged in weaving and sewing.

The weavers at their looms, the sewers with their needles — continuing ancient traditions while sharing the news of the day, their joy and their grief.

They weave and sew, using their cultural memory combined with skilful craftsmanship, to create silks to be exported, alongside costumes to be worn every day.

And, of course, outfits for the special events that mark our lives.

A birth, a wedding, a funeral.

The fabric of society is stitched into the textiles and outfits we are privileged to admire here today — sustainable and durable, created to outlast us all.

At the same time, a colourful and profound cultural map of Turkish history and resilience.

Dear friends,

The Council of Europe is committed, through many programs and treaties — such as the Culture Convention and the Faro Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society - to the preservation of heritage, identity and culture.

And we, too, are in some ways like these textiles — the threads of different nations woven into a fabric so much stronger for the diverse threads that bind it together.

And may I, at the end, underline that this is the first time that Türkiye’s diverse weaving heritage has been united in a single exhibition.

And I congratulate Her Excellency Emine Erdogan and the Turkish delegation on this superb demonstration of Turkish culture, heritage and expertise.

I thank you.