Newsletters
Turkish city Canakkale, known for its distinctive pottery tradition, has opened its second international ceramics festival, bringing together artists, academics and art lovers from Türkiye and abroad.
The event, called CANAKFEST, runs under the theme "Intersections in Ceramics: Cultural Interaction and Contemporary Approaches."
It is held under the patronage of Türkiye’s Culture and Tourism Ministry and organized with the Canakkale governor’s office.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at the historic Anadolu Hamidiye Fortress, Canakkale Governor Omer Toraman said the history of ceramics is part of humanity’s shared past.
Pottery production began in settlements around the world roughly 10,000 years ago, he said, and Anatolia was one of its key centers.
Toraman said ceramic production continues today in three Turkish centers, Iznik, Kutahya and Canakkale.
"Local craftspeople have passed their knowledge and skills on to new generations, helping keep this knowledge alive," Toraman said, citing master potter Ismail Butun, who holds Türkiye’s "Living Human Treasure" title.
He said the municipality and the university support the transfer of skills through workshops, while archaeologists are uncovering the city’s ceramic past through excavations.
Prof. Cuneyt Erenoglu, rector of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, said the festival aims to pair traditional ceramic culture with contemporary art and pass cultural heritage on to future generations.
Prof. Tulay Guzel, head of the organizing committee, presented a book on Canakkale ceramics by Prof. Erdinc Bakli.
Oriol Calvo Vergesi, president of the International Academy of Ceramics and managing director of the European Ceramic Cities Group, spoke about the characteristics of Canakkale ceramics and their historical significance.
The ceremony ended with Toraman presenting a gift to Butun. The officials then toured the booths of participating ceramic artists.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
