Silk Route an 'anchor for new horizons'

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Silk Road is an “anchor for our new horizons” which provides an opportunity to “strengthen our relations,” said a calligrapher as Istanbul hosts an international symposium to reconnect people from the historic route.

Assylbek Orynbassar, an Arabic calligrapher from Kazakhstan, told Anadolu the Silk Road was a “phenomenon of Eurasian civilization” and “all that remains is to renew and give a modern shine to this centuries-old phenomenon.”

“The Silk Road is the anchor for our new horizons. We must take advantage of this great opportunity to strengthen our relations,” said Orynbassar.

More than 40 artists from eight nations showcased their work to recreate the Silk Route and reflect its “timeless legacy.”

Exhibited along the shores of Golden Horn in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul, the artists from Türkiye, China, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Uzbekistan put on display their work of calligraphy, illumination, miniature, paper-cutting, marbling, filigree, wood carving, mother-of-pearl inlay, and metal engraving.

Meryem Guney, the head of Bahariye Art Workshop and host of this international symposium-cum-exhibition, said: “Such projects are an elegant way to remove the boundaries between us and bring us closer, preserve our vision of civilization.”

A paper-cutting artwork artist herself, Guney said such exhibitions were important for the progress of “our decorative arts with new ideas and technical exchanges.”

Some 60 artworks have been put on display for people and the exhibition will continue until June 25.

After its inauguration by Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, some 40 scholars and thinkers from Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Tatarstan discussed the significance of art in bringing people closer, reflecting on the legacy of the Silk Route which originated in China and crossed continents until Europe.

This symposium is to “remember and remind the historical mission of the Silk Road (which is) the route of civilizations,” Guney said.

- Exhibit of cultural difference and interaction

The artwork on display brings together unique styles and tastes.

Guney’s work itself is a mosaic of different cultures. She uses architectural silhouettes from China to Bursa in Türkiye and her work “Direction” highlights thought and mysticism through a verse from the great saint Rumi.

“By tightly embracing our values and maintaining our direction, we can elevate our civilization to its peak once again,” she said.

- Revival of Silk Road to increase trade

Orynbassar from Kazakhstan said the revival of the Silk Road would have “a multiplier effect.”

“This project will help all countries increase their trade turnover. And most importantly, strengthen and expand cultural exchange,” he told Anadolu.

This “will lead to increased human capital. And increased human capital is an indicator of the country’s well-being,” he explained.

Kazakhstan, Orynbassar said: “Must in every possible way support and strengthen the goals and objectives of the new Silk Road.”

Reflecting on history, good neighborliness, brotherhood, and an era of peace, he said: “A country with a large territory and large resources should be among the first to implement projects on the new Silk Road.”

- Türkiye’s strategic advantage

On the significance of holding the symposium and exhibition in Istanbul, Guney said: “Türkiye has had a very important and strategic position along the Silk Road.”

Reflecting on the country’s role in “connecting and carrying civilizations together,” Guney said the past interaction with European travelers “brought our works to their countries.”

“With its strong ties from Turkestan to the Balkans and its location serving as a bridge from the east to the west, it will have a great and influential role in the center of the works that will revitalize the Silk Road, from trade to cultural projects,” said Guney.

Thus, it is “important to stay in touch with artists from the Silk Road route for the reconstruction of our common civilization,” the Turkish artist said.

This exhibition is “reflecting our common civilization, and reflections of intercultural difference and interaction,” Guney explained.

Amid instability in the world, Orynbassar said: “It is necessary to reinforce new relationships with old and proven ways: a common history, a common cultural moment, a common goal.”

“After all, the main task of the Silk Road was for all parties involved (countries) to be satisfied with the result. Mutual benefit was the main criterion,” he added.