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Talas Mayor Mustafa Yalcin’s collection of 229 dolls from 25 countries has gone on display at an exhibition in Kayseri, a city in central Türkiye. Talas is a district of Kayseri.
Speaking at the opening of the “World Dolls Exhibition” at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Nation’s Garden Art Gallery, an arts venue in a public park, Yalcin said he bought a bride doll for his one-year-old daughter during a trip to Germany 34 years ago. That, he said, was the family’s first encounter with dolls. His interest grew after his second daughter joined the family.
The collection expanded with the support of friends from the antique market, and some pieces were gifts. It is the product of about 30 years of collecting and was curated by Nevin Kilic, according to local reports.
“A doll is an expression of innocence and purity. Innocence and purity are things we all see in dolls, and we all need them,” Yalcin said.
Yalcin said the opening came around the 38th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Palestine, which was declared on Nov. 15, 1988. He said that whenever he sees or deals with anything related to dolls or babies, Palestinian children come to mind and “our hearts ache.” He expressed hope that they will be relieved of their hardships as soon as possible.
The exhibition includes a special section dedicated to Palestinian children, and Yalcin thanked everyone who contributed to the event.
Kayseri Metropolitan Mayor Memduh Buyukkilic and Talas District Governor Ilyas Memis also said the exhibition brought a meaningful project to life. After the speeches, protocol members and children cut a ribbon to open the exhibition, which will welcome visitors until Nov. 21.
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