Expo 2015 - Turkey on display Tour open-air at the Turkish Pavilion

The Turkish Pavilion with its 4,170 square meters of exhibition structure chose to present itself to the world through different architectural reproductions and materials that exalt the perfect fusion of the values of the different civilizations that lived for centuries in Anatolia and in Mesopotamia and that helped define their culture. A journey through history and identity summed up by the slogan "Digging into history for the future of food." The pavilion which consists of three main parts, an open area, a semi opened and a closed one, is designed with the artistic contribution of different civilizations who lived in Anatolia. The Pavilion to better translate the concepts of "preserve, maintain and recycle" includes modern tools representations, such as baskets and earthen vessels typical commonly used in the past. And then a succession of the most famous Caravanserais, çeşm-i Bülbül, Ottoman Fountain, Göbeklitepe, Seljuki Star, Topkapı Palace, Traditional Turkish House, Çınaraltı or Tea Gardens make the Pavillon the country's cultural transposition at Milan exhibition. The pomegranate is the symbol which best expresses the country historical particularities. The Nar, Turkish word for pomegranate, is indeed both singular and plural, symbol of fertility and abundance just like Turkey that has been home to dozens of different civilizations for thousands of years. The design and the construction of the Pavilion were inspired by the desire to share with the world the whole story and experiences, traditions, beliefs and visions for a better future. Symbol of the culture of hospitality, the Turkish Pavilion is the modern representation of a Caravanserai. A building that includes a large yard and a porch historically used for caravans parking crossing the desert, now a place of welcome and relaxation. The first construction you will find at the Turkish Pavilion host art objects of çeşm-i Bülbül, literally eye of the Nightingale, an ancient form of glassblowing. A technique reinterpreted for the modern design needs and traditionally used to make small boxes for perfumes, and in particular for the rosewater essence, a typical Turkish fragrance. And since history is the main protagonist, at the Turkish Pavilion you can also find a corner dedicated to spices. The Silk Road, the bridge between Asia, Europe and North Africa, has contributed to the trade development while becoming a transit area for food cultures. And Turkey, a crossroads of peoples already rich in local biodiversity has increased its wealth, which now it showcases. Not just spices but also ornamental plants and therapeutic herbs. Two are the architectural elements that lead the visitor to immerse himself in the Turkish culture. First we have the Ottoman fountain, called "Şadırvan", a sort of fountain topped by a dome that is usually built in the middle of the courtyard of the mosque and used for ritual ablutions. Second there is a recurring symbol the Seljuki star, the octagonal star, one of the key figures of the Seljuki Empire culture and arts, commonly used today as an ornament from the civilizations of the Middle East and the Islamic world. A tour based on the artistic Turkish heritage which saw the reconstruction of Göbeklitepe religious temple. This site, located in the southeast region of Turkey, 15 kilometers from Şanlıurfa, belongs to the "Fertile Crescent" and it is one of the places in which over 12 thousand years ago the first communities settled practicing agriculture. The reproduction of the Topkapı Palace, UNESCO Heritage since 1985, was inevitable. The Palace was used both as administrative headquarters as well as royal residence for over 400 years in the Ottoman Empire. The importance of house and hospitality are well replicated in the semi-open space, where under the plane trees has been setted up a tea garden. An area in which according to tradition the Turkish people sip tea and coffee, chatting friendly. And then the arts of weaving, embroidery, the processing of beaten copper, leather and manufacture will introduce the visitor in what are the architectural characteristics and the typical local dwellings furniture. The exhibitions of the Pavilion Not only architecture and culture. The Turkish Pavilion offers a series of exhibitions as a unique journey in Anatolia. An ideal path made with the clear idea to share, hold and safeguard. • Göbeklitepe Through the discovery of Göbeklitepe, religious temple dating back to 10,000 BC Turkey has become one of the countries that hold the evidence of the oldest civilizations in the world. Thanks to its reproduction, the exhibition shares the unique history of Göbeklitepe. • The story of wheat and bread The discovery of Göbeklitepe revealed that wheat production in Anatolia dates back to the Mesolithic, which is about 10,000 BC. Wheat and bread are the common food of all segments of society. And the bread, perceived as holy in Mesopotamia - one of the oldest areas of agricultural production, has more than 120 types of bread- making. • Turkey, is the largest open-air museum in the world. Photographs, documentaries and artifacts from more than 186 Turkish museums and inherited from the civilization that over the centuries have lived in Anatolia, will tell the story of the country. • Istanbul’s Treasures: Findings Marmaray Marmaray is a transcontinental underground tunnel built under the sea and it connects the two sides of Istanbul. At the Pavilion visitors can find what was brought to light of the Marmaray during the construction of a modern transport project. It was and still is a surprising discovery. • The Mysteries of Palace Cuisine Meeting ground of different techniques for cooking and serving food, of recipes and dishes as well as of the different habits of eating and drinking, Turkey through the most developed form of art, the miniature, shows "The mysteries of the kitchen of the Palace". It shows the rich and elaborate Ottoman cuisine. • Energize the body and nourish the soul: The Turkish coffee Drawing from a private collection, the exhibition presents a selection of Medieval and Renaissance tools used for roasting, grinding and preparing the Turkish drink, the most famous in the world, coffee. The exhibition, whereof 60 pieces are usually displayed inside the Topkapi Museum, is part of the UNESCO cultural heritage. • A jewel of taste: Gaziantep Cuisine Large copper plates, jugs, tankards. It is the rich showcase that tells not only the culinary culture of the city of Gaziantep, - already a candidate for UNESCO City of Gastronomy - but also reflects the elegance of the Turkish working through the design and inlaid decoration of kitchen utensils. The queen of Turkish sweets, the "baklava", pastry filled with nuts, above all pistachio, is often associated with the Gaziantep cuisine. • Food & Art Food is life. Art is the primary complement to a good life. Next to the restaurant located in the centre of the Pavilion the visitor can find an exhibition of contemporary art dedicated to the culinary tradition. • The Man and agriculture. Some photographs were chosen to immortalize the link between man and agriculture. The exhibition presents a selection of images chosen to show how agricultural knowledge was a turning point in human history from the cultivation of the land up to its fruits, a link that goes further and extends to the whole nature.