A state's desire to preserve its memory.
Some ceremonies transcend the mere marking of a day on the calendar. Others clearly demonstrate a State's values, what it wishes to protect, and what it is concerned with transmitting to the future. The Ceremony for the Presentation of the Special Awards for Living Human Treasures and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism was precisely an expression of this stance.
This meeting, which was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan , was much more than merely symbolic for the world of culture and art. The message conveyed that day at the Presidential Palace was clear:
This state not only talks about its culture; it embraces it, along with its living bearers.
In his speech at the ceremony, President Erdoğan strongly emphasized that the Turkish nation's connection to its roots is not a matter of nostalgia, but rather a matter of the future . He stated that culture is the memory of a society and that nations that lose their memory also lose their direction, demonstrating that these tributes bestowed upon masters are, in fact, a solid bridge built between the past and the future.
This emphasis clearly explained why the concept of "Living Human Treasures" is so vital. Because this award recognizes not just an achievement, but a lifetime of patience and a legacy .
President Erdoğan's approach to culture and art, which he has maintained for years, was once again clarified at this ceremony:
culture is not a secondary area to be neglected, but a strategic value that must be at the heart of state thinking . Supporting the masters, preserving tradition, and keeping alive what is indigenous and national is only possible with strong political will.
In this context, the speech by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, offered content that complemented the broader framework outlined by the President. Ersoy defined culture as the "life story" of a nation, explaining the practical application of the President's vision. His assertion that culture is not a consumer commodity, but rather that its identification with consumption corrodes identity, reinforced this holistic approach.
However, the truly impactful message of the ceremony was the concept of "respect paid while the master is alive ." This point, which President Erdoğan particularly emphasized, distinguishes the Living Human Treasures award from all other awards. This title is not granted after an artist's death; it is a declaration of value given while he is creating, transmitting, and teaching.
The 92 Living Human Treasures announced since 2008 are a tangible result of this approach. The 10 new names added to the list this year demonstrate that cultural continuity is still alive. President Erdoğan's message on this point was clear:
These lands continue to produce people who perpetuate their traditions, and the State supports these people.
The Special Awards from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, presented at the ceremony, are also a historical continuation of this commitment and an institutional expression of the State's gratitude to those who work in culture and the arts.
Under President Erdoğan's leadership, it became evident that this tradition was not only preserved, but also strengthened and continued.
This vast heritage, which extends from the strings of the bağlama (a Turkish stringed instrument) to marbling, from mother-of-pearl inlay to calligraphy, from silkworm breeding to cymbal making, can only survive through the unity of the state and the nation , not through individual efforts. This ceremony was precisely the moment when that unity was reflected on stage.
The vision presented by President Erdoğan, as Minister Ersoy also stated, opens a "parenthesis." But this parenthesis is not temporary.
This area is a permanent conservation zone created around the culture and the masters.
The awards presented that night, accompanied by applause, proclaimed:
Culture is not without its protectors in this country.
The masters are not forgotten in this country.
And in this country, memory is still alive.
