Under the hospitable roof of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye, located in the heart of The Hague, an animated celebration of cultural heritage unfolded. Marking the remarkable milestone of the 100th anniversary of the friendship treaty between the Republic of Türkiye and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dr. Lerzan Kayıhan Ünal, spouse of His Excellency the Ambassador Selcuk Unal, graciously hosted an enlightening introduction to Ebru art at the Turkish Residence.
The gathering was attended by members and friends of ASA, the Diplomatic Spouse Association of The Hague, including the spouses of the ambassadors of Egypt, Morocco, Germany, France, Brazil, Moldova, Kosovo, South Korea, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, among many others.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Lerzan Kayıhan Ünal, the hostess, warmly welcomed the guests to the Turkish Residence, a historical Dutch cultural heritage building with a rich collection of stories dating back 290 years. She eloquently portrayed the shared history that this architectural gem has witnessed, serving as a silent witness to the evolving Turkish-Dutch relations and the broader history of The Hague.
As the day unfolded, the spotlight turned to the ancient Turkish art of Ebru, also known as marbling paper art. Dr. Ünal emphasized the significance of Ebru, a painting technique steeped in 1,300 years of Turkish culture. With water, paint, and brushes, Ebru artists create intricate patterns and symbols on the surface of water, a mesmerizing dance of colors and shapes that culminate in unique works of art. In 2014, Ebru was rightfully inscribed in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Leading the Ebru Art Workshop was the talented Mr. Okan Akın, a visual artist born and raised in Türkiye, whose passion for traditional and contemporary art shines through his work. With skillful hands and a wealth of experience, Mr. Akın guided the guests through the intricate process of Ebru, demonstrating the delicate balance between technique and creativity.
The event was made possible through the support of the Yunus Emre Institute in Amsterdam, an institution dedicated to promoting Türkiye’s language, literature, history, culture, and art on a global scale. By preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of Türkiye, the Yunus Emre Institute serves as a bridge between nations, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation.
Guests were treated to Turkish cuisine, courtesy of the timeless recipes featured in the book “Turkish Cuisine With Timeless Recipes,” published under the auspices of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, spouse of H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It was a fitting finale to a day filled with art, culture, and friendships.
