H.E. Mr. Firat Sunel is the Turkish Ambassador to India, dedicated to promoting Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage and sustainable tourism practices. With extensive experience in cultural affairs, he emphasizes the significance of UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Göbeklitepe and Ephesus, in shaping global narratives about early civilization. Ambassador Sunel advocates for the protection and promotion of Türkiye’s lesser-known heritage sites, highlighting initiatives like the “Golden Age of Turkish Archaeology” project. His commitment to international cooperation underscores Türkiye’s leadership in preserving cultural heritage while accommodating the growing demand for tourism.
Türkiye boasts important UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Göbeklitepe and Ephesus. How do you think they shape global historical narratives about early human civilisation and ancient architecture?
UNESCO Heritage sites, such as Göbeklitepe and Ephesus, reshape and enrich our view of early human civilization and history of ancient settlements. Göbeklitepe in Upper Mesopotamia, known as the cradle of human civilization, is the earliest known temple complex, dating almost 12.000 years back. It helps us unlock ancient Mesopotamian societies’ daily rituals in all their complexities. Göbeklitepe still preserves its mystery, as one of the most important discoveries in the history of archaeology and is considered as “zero-point” in time. The wider area is still an excavation site. The new inventories found, drastically expand our knowledge and understanding of humankind and civilization.
The ancient city of Ephesus, on the other hand, is located in the western-most city of İzmir. Today an awe-inspiring historic site, Ephesus has been a city since the Neolithic times, with a history extending back to 7.000 BCE. However, it came to full prominence under the Roman Empire, renowned for its exceptional urban planning. Ephesus today showcases the engineering skills of that ancient era. The city has played a significant role in science, culture, and art, making it one of the most important metropolises of the ancient world. Highlights of Ephesus include the Temple of Artemis, as well as the Great Theatre and the Library of Celsus. Ephesus is significant for it is also home to early Christian archaeological remains.
These two sites are a couple of many historical wonders of Türkiye. They provide crucial insights into the early history of humanity and enrich our historical narratives, offering important insights into ancient civilizations.
How does Türkiye balance preserving Cappadocia’s landscapes and cave dwellings while promoting tourism?
Cappadocia is an open-air museum that is truly one of its kind. It has been designed and carved by the hand of nature, and of skilled labourers, over the course of centuries. This volcanic landscape, boasting conic structures known as “fairy chimneys,” underground cities, cave dwellings and other historical monuments in a large geography spanning 5 different provinces.
Türkiye takes measures to protect and preserve Cappadocia in the best possible way. To ensure the sustainable development and protection of the region in a holistic manner, while balancing the high tourism demand, a specific Law was enacted in 2019. As a result, a dedicated entity titled, “The Cappadocia Area Presidency” was established. It is affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and collaborates with local and regional stakeholders for the successful management and supervision of the area. The Presidency develops and implements projects to provide eco-friendly infrastructure solutions and services to businesses and the local community, regulate the number of visitors, and encourages responsible tourism. These measures ensure that the region’s natural and historic beauty is protected, while allowing tourists to experience its wonders.
What are some other policies of Türkiye with respect to the protection of UNESCO heritage sites while maintaining her sustainable tourism practices?
Türkiye is among the epicenters of world history and heritage. My country is a leading tourism destination, ranked the 5th among most-visited destinations globally in 2023. Our success comes from the institutional capacity, skilled experts and sustainable and effective collaboration among stakeholders. The legal and policy framework of Türkiye on cultural affairs also reflect the values of the international community, materialized in international conventions. A founding member of UNESCO and a party to primary Conventions, Türkiye endorses and supports national and international endeavors that underline our role and responsibility in preserving the cultural heritage that is so valuable to humanity as a whole.
Türkiye considers culture and tourism as spheres that complement and strengthen each other and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism adopts a holistic perspective in this vein. Each UNESCO site has a Management Plan that outlines conservation measures, visitor management strategies and seeks to minimize environmental impacts of tourist flows.
What efforts are being made to promote the lesser-known UNESCO sites in Türkiye? How do they enhance the country’s cultural diversity?
Türkiye is home to 21 properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, 19 of which are cultural and 2 of which are mixed. There are a total of 79 sites, with 72 cultural, 4 mixed, and 3 natural in UNESCO’s Tentative List. In addition to those listed, we have numerous ancient sites and monuments in our national inventory. I would like you to imagine the extent of our cultural wealth and the intensity of the work and effort involved in protecting and promoting heritage areas.
Türkiye is focusing on promoting all her UNESCO sites through various marketing campaigns and local tourism projects. By spotlighting locations such as the archeological site of Çatalhöyük and the Mount Nemrut these campaign initiatives aim to showcase the country’s rich cultural landscape. The goal here is to encourage tourism to a diversity of areas and foster greater appreciation for Türkiye’s distinct historic heritage.
Another important step forward, “Golden Age of Turkish Archaeology – Heritage for the Future” project has begun in 2023. All resources have been mobilized to ensure that in the next four years, our cultural heritage, particularly our ancient sites will be excavated, restored and preserved. The number of ongoing archeological excavations and projects in Türkiye increased from 670 to 720 in the last couple of years. They are set toreach 750 in 2024, with a goal of 800 excavations and projects by 2026.
How does Türkiye manage the promotion and conversation of its UNESCO sites amidst growing tourism? Are there new strategies of technologies being used?
Türkiye assumed responsibilities in both the UNESCO Executive Board and the World Heritage Committee. As a country dedicated to international cooperation, peace and dialogue, we contribute our share of experience, know-how and skills to UNESCO and play a part in leading sustainable practices and strategies in protecting and promoting heritage.
I would like to note that combatting illicit trafficking of cultural property has always formed one of the backbones of the Turkish cultural policies. We are among the leading countries to persistently emphasize the necessity of returning these artifacts to their homeland on both bilateral and multilateral platforms.
As stated, Türkiye manages its UNESCO heritage sites by implementing sustainable conservation practices and by regulating visitor access. By promoting our sites through targeted marketing and managing tourist flows, we ensure the preservation of its cultural heritage while accommodating for growing tourism. Moreover, we are implementing nighttime activities in certain museums and historic sites including Ephesus, Hierapolis and many others during peak seasons. I strongly recommend Indian visitors not to miss enjoying these spectacular ancient ruins.
