The exhibition "Turkey Through The Eyes of South Africans" featuring photographs and drawings met with art lovers at Akademi Beyoğlu.

The exhibition, organized by Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) with the support of the Istanbul Office of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), showcased the works of South African artists who learned Turkish.

Photographer and travel writer Marion Kate Smith, who attended the Turkish courses at the Johannesburg Yunus Emre Institute, took photos of the places she visited in Turkey for 10 years and wrote about her experiences.

The journal of the artist, who traveled to nearly 40 cities in Turkey, including the evaluations he wrote about 15 cities, was turned into a book in Turkish and English.

Alex Maswanganyi, a charcoal artist who participated in calligraphy and marbling courses as well as Turkish language education at Yunus Emre Institute, reflected Smith's photographs in his paintings. Maswanganyi, who paints portraits of people, painted Turkey's historical and architectural values, especially Hagia Sophia, after participating in many cultural and artistic activities organized by the institute.

I FOUND LOVE, PEACE, AND FRIENDSHIP AT YUNUS EMRE INSTITUTE

Alex Maswanganyi noted that he was born in the Soweto district of Johannesburg, where Nelson Mandela fought for freedom.

Stating that he received calligraphy education in his country and that he met Yunus Emre Institute in 2018 upon the advice of a friend, Maswanganyi said the following:

"I have been attending Turkish lessons for a month; I am at the beginner level. I found love, peace and friendship at Yunus Emre Institute. When I read Yunus Emre's works, I saw that his teachings also included love and peace. Turkey and South Africa are very similar in terms of love and peace coming together. That is why I drew the portraits of Nelson Mandela and Yunus Emre together."

The young painter said that he found freedom, love and peace in Istanbul, where he came for the first time, and that he saw in person the response of the sincere teachings of Yunus Emre, which he had read before coming to Istanbul.

Emphasizing that he went to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and spent hours in and around the mosque, Maswanganyi said, "While I was drawing, people came to me, and we took photos together. They were happy to learn that I came from South Africa. Visual arts are a form of communication. That's why I think my drawings are essential for communication between South Africa and Turkey. No matter how much love we have, let’s unite and be one; I will never give up on this."

Maswanganyi thanked Yunus Emre Institute for hosting him in Turkey and said, "I really appreciate the love you have shown me. You know, I feel very unfettered here as if I am in South Africa."

"WE SELECTED 10 PHOTOGRAPHS FROM DIFFERENT CITIES IN TURKEY"

South African photographer Marion Kate Smith said that she has been coming to Turkey for 10 years at different times, has been to more than 40 cities, and has taken photographs in all the cities she has visited.

Smith, who took the photographs inspired by Maswanganyi's paintings, expressed his happiness to take part in the project of Yunus Emre Institute and said:

"We then wanted these images to be exhibited publicly and reach a wider audience. So we selected 10 different photographs from different cities in Turkey, and Alex sketched them. This exhibition, which shows Turkey through the eyes of South African artists, is also important in that it is a collaboration between white and black, male and female artists."

Underlining that he found Turkish people very hospitable, Smith said, "I have been here many times. Everyone even calls me 'Half Turkish'. Because I spent a lot of time in Turkey. I love being here; it feels like a second home. I find people always willing to help wherever they are needed."

Marion Kate Smith stated that people were surprised when she told them where she came from and continued as follows:

"When I say I come from Africa, people ask why I am white and want to know more about South Africa. I also like to share where I come from and give information about my country. We will visit a few more cities in Turkey. We will go to Bolu, Ankara, Cappadocia, and Alanya and return to Istanbul. We will reopen the exhibition when we return to South Africa, and we will do everything we can to ensure that Alex continues to be a successful artist in his field."

"YUNUS EMRE INSTITUTE HAS BEEN CARRYING OUT SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS IN MANY COUNTRIES"

Remzi Gür, Honorary Consul of the Republic of South Africa in Istanbul, who examined the exhibited works and chatted with the artists, stated that Yunus Emre Institute has carried out successful projects in many countries and said, "It introduces Turkey not only to Turks but also to the citizens and foreigners of the countries there, acts as a tourism ambassador and is successful in these matters."

"SOUTH AFRICAN STUDENTS WILL WORK AS TURKISH CULTURAL AMBASSADORS"

Gür emphasized that he liked the works of the artists and that the works related to African countries and South Africa are important in every respect, and noted the following:

"South Africa is one of the richest countries in Africa. Therefore, it is close to Turkey in terms of standards. Commercial and social cooperation there is beneficial for both Turkey and South Africa. The fact that students from many African countries come and receive education in Turkey further strengthens our ties with Africa. Incoming students will both receive education and learn Turkish here. Therefore, when they return to their hometowns, they will work as Turkish cultural ambassadors."

The exhibition, which was first opened in Istanbul as part of the project, will later be exhibited in other cities.