On the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye, Yunus Emre Institute in Cairo organized a conference and exhibition titled “Egyptian Albums in Sultan Abdul Hamid II's Yıldız Palace Photography Collection.”

Conducted at the American University in Cairo, the event cast a spotlight on Egypt’s cultural and artistic legacy, spanning from Antiquity to the late 19^th century.

The event was attended by numerous guests, including Salih Mutlu Şen, Turkish Ambassador to Cairo, foreign heads of mission, and notable figures from Egypt’s cultural and artistic circles.

Emin Boyraz, Coordinator of the Yunus Emre Institute in Cairo, delivered the opening speech of the program and highlighted the enduring interest and affection between the Egyptian and Turkish people, noting, “A significant example of this Turkish affinity for Egypt, not just in the present but also historically, is the focus of today’s program – the Egyptian albums of Sultan Abdul Hamid. We are happy to highlight and share the robust connections between the two nations and their people on the occasion of this meaningful event.”

Showcasing the Rich Cultural Tapestry of Egypt: Selected Samples on Display

Prof. Ayşe Melek Özyetgin, Director of Yıldız Technical University Sultan Abdul Hamid II Application and Research Center, and Assoc. Prof. Ayşe Ersay Yüksel, Head of the Department of Turkish Islamic Art History at Ankara University Faculty of Theology, delivered presentations under the theme “Egyptian Albums in Sultan Abdul Hamid II's Yıldız Palace Photography Collection.”       After the presentations, a curated selection of examples from the albums, showcasing the cultural richness of Egypt, were exhibited, with additional information provided about these exhibits.

In her presentation, Prof. Ayşe Melek Özyetgin commented, “A highly extensive collection of photographs was compiled in the palace at the close of the 19^th century under the patronage of Sultan Abdul Hamid.   This collection of photographs encompasses images from the 19^th century originating from nearly 50 countries outside the Ottoman geography. Among these photographs, numerous Egyptian albums are featured. The collection comprises 20 albums, featuring over 800 photographs of Egypt. This heritage represents a shared universal memory, featuring photographs not only from Türkiye but also from various regions around the world. It is a collective product of global heritage.”

Assoc. Prof. Ayşe Ersay Yüksel stated, “The presentations we delivered in the program illustrated the longstanding relations between the two countries and highlighted the rich content concerning Egypt’s architectural heritage and social life during the Ancient and Islamic periods, which has been a topic of interest for both nations.” 

The “Egyptian Albums in Sultan Abdul Hamid II's Yıldız Palace Photography Collection Photography Exhibition” organized in collaboration with the Yıldız Technical University Sultan Abdul Hamid II Application and Research Center, remained on display at the American University in Cairo until January 2, 2024.