Gebze Technical University (GTU) hosts a significant event featuring an exhibition and a seminar showcasing the cultural heritage of Aleppo.

Organized by the GTU Faculty of Architecture, the "Aleppo: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" seminar and exhibition, with Dr. Mahmud Zeyn El Abidin as the keynote speaker, took place on March 13, 2025 at the GTU Congress and Cultural Center's Blue Hall. The event, attended by GTU senior administration, deans, academic and administrative staff, and students, provided comprehensive insights into Aleppo's historical texture, the destruction it has endured, and the hopes for its future.

The opening speeches were delivered by GTU Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar; , Prof. Elif Özlem Aydın, Dean of the GTU Faculty of Architecture and Türkiye Representative of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) National Committee, and Asst. Prof. Mine Topçubaşı, Director of the GTU Cultural Heritage Conservation Implementation and Research Center.

Rector Prof. Hacı Ali Mantar emphasized that education must not be limited to scientific and technical knowledge, but must also include human values, cultural awareness, and ethical understanding. He pointed out that the destruction and tragedies experienced worldwide stem from a lack of these values. Highlighting the importance Türkiye's military and police forces place on humanitarian values, Prof. Mantar provided examples of the sacrifices made to prevent harm to innocent people, stating that Türkiye holds an exemplary position in this regard.

Prof. Elif Özlem Aydın stated that preserving cultural heritage is not just about maintaining physical structures, but also about sustaining the identities and memories of communities. She noted that such events play a crucial role in raising awareness. Additionally, she discussed the reconstruction process of historical buildings and urban structures in the 11 cities affected by the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş earthquake. Stressing the importance of collective intelligence and restoration projects in this process, she highlighted the ongoing efforts to revive destroyed symbolic structures and historic city centers.

Asst. Prof. Mine Topçubaşı emphasized the great importance of cultural heritage conservation in terms of social identity and belonging. She noted that during post-war and post-disaster reconstruction processes, not only must architectural identity be preserved, but social ties must also be considered. She underlined that this process must go beyond mere physical restoration to include the rebuilding of social and cultural fabric as well.

Seminar & Exhibition Shedding Light on Aleppo's Cultural Heritage

Following the opening speeches, Dr. Mahmud Zeyn El Abidin delivered a seminar titled "Aleppo: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow – The Current State of the City's Historical Artifacts." He provided valuable insights into Aleppo’s historical sites, discussing the city’s architecture during the Ottoman period, the main architectural groups in Aleppo, and the impact of war on its historical monuments. Presenting documented evidence of the war’s devastation on Aleppo’s cultural heritage, he underscored the importance of international cooperation in preserving and restoring these historical structures.

After the seminar, an exhibition was held in the foyer area, featuring historical buildings, markets, caravanserais, and houses from the Umayyad, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods in Aleppo. The exhibition showcased architectural drawings, photographs, and documents reflecting Aleppo’s transformation over time. Prepared in collaboration with the ICOMOS Türkiye National Committee and the GTU Cultural Heritage Implementation Application and Research Center, the week-long exhibition has raised significant awareness about understanding and preserving Aleppo’s historical texture.

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