CIRCASSIAN HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION OPENS

Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality has opened its doors to a new exhibition showcasing a diverse range of cultures. The "Ancient Circassian Handicrafts and Contemporary Practices" exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Şamil Education and Culture Foundation and the Adiyuf Handicrafts Workshop, was presented to art lovers.

The "Ancient Circassian Handicrafts and Contemporary Practices" exhibition, organized in partnership with the City History and Promotion Department, the Şamil Education and Culture Foundation, and the Adiyuf Handicrafts Workshop, opened in the Exhibition Hall of the City Museums Complex. The opening was attended by Eskişehir Governor Hüseyin Aksoy, Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Vural Yörük, Şamil Education and Culture Foundation Chairman Cengiz Gül, Circassians living in Eskişehir, and numerous art enthusiasts.

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, which showcases works from the Circassian people's centuries-old handicraft tradition, ranging from clothing and jewelry to wood carving and leatherwork, Şamil Culture Foundation President Gül thanked the Metropolitan Municipality for hosting the exhibition. Acting Metropolitan Mayor Yörük began his speech by conveying the greetings of Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce, saying, "This exhibition is not just a gathering of art; it is also a special journey reflecting the collective memory and identity of a culture spanning thousands of years."

Governor Aksoy also stated, "Eskişehir is a city that receives immigrants from different parts of the world and, with this immigration, has enriched its cultural richness. Circassians are one of the communities that have made significant contributions to this richness. Preserving our traditional values and culture and passing them on to future generations is of paramount importance."

The exhibition showcases the aesthetics, identity, and collective memory of Circassian culture through traditional objects of daily life. Each work reflects the Circassian community's connection with nature, their production style that transforms functionality into art, and the tradition of handcrafted craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation. The exhibition, which opens a new window into Eskişehir's cultural life, will be on display until September 21st.