The first branch of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü in America was opened within “Diyanet Centre of America” complex with an opening ceremony attended by Turkish President on April 2^nd Saturday. Following the opening speeches by President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez, the official opening of “Diyanet Centre of America” and Yunus Emre Enstitüsü in the complex was held.

President Erdoğan addressed the multi-purpose complex and its service capacity in his opening speech. Erdoğan marked that Yunus Emre Enstitüsü to provide services in the complex will also play a major role in promoting Turkish language and cultural wealth to Americans living in that region. Erdoğan continued as follows: “We must learn the languages, religions, cultures and customs of one another correctly in order to further the cooperation between individuals which has become as substantial as the relations between governments.” Erdoğan underlined that opening of this centre is a major step for alliance between civilizations and thanked all who made contributions.

Enstitü Director Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş who shared his opinions regarding the opening with the press, spoke as follows: “We are glad to have launched our operations in America continent in Enstitü's 7^th year of operation. We would like to thank the Ministry of Religious Affairs for this opportunity.”

Complex built as a campus in 16^th century traditional Ottoman architecture, features a mosque, Islamic Arts museum, library, conference, exhibition and assembly halls, Turkish bath and 10 mansions representing architecture of three different periods. One of the mansions started its services as liaison office of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü. After the first liaison office in the complex located in Maryland, Enstitü aims to open centres soon in Washington D.C. and in important destinations in USA, and contribute to promotion of Turkish language and culture also in this continent.

Rich cultural content specific to the opening

An exclusive culture-arts program was carried out for the opening ceremony, broadly attended by Turkish and American senior officials, representatives of various religions and Turkish and American communities living in the area. In the program also supported by our Enstitü, exhibitions under main heading “Divine Ground” featuring valuable artworks and documents, workshops introducing the important assets of our culture and concerts were organised. The exhibition schedule includes 33 Splendours of Islamic Calligraphy exhibition featuring rare works by world-famous calligraphers, Visual Storytelling: Ottoman Miniatures where rare examples miniature art are presented, Piri Reis Worlds of Wonders that features important information and documents on Piri Reis’ cartography, historical postcards exhibition From the USA to Dersaadet and Pax Ottomana, an Ottoman document and decree exhibition that reflects the cohabitation and tolerance culture in the Ottoman. Among the exhibitions in Maryland program which will take the visitors on an all-round cultural journey is The Divine Design of Ottoman Era Objects exhibition, featuring designs of special objects used in the Ottoman period and examples that bear deep meanings. After the opening events of exhibitions, Divine Ground Turkish music performance was held. On calligraphy, marbling and miniature arts, Turkish coffee making, Ottoman cuisine and hard candy making were offered to the attention and taste of visitors.