Albayrak Group continues to bring its calligraphy art exhibitions, which have become a tradition over the past 10 years, to art lovers around the world. Following its recent exhibition in Somalia, the group has now expanded into Europe with a visit to Germany. The exhibition’s opening took place on November 7 at Germany’s largest library, the Berlin State Library, founded in 1661 and hosting nearly 2,000 visitors daily. This event was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in collaboration with the Yunus Emre Institute.
Crossing Turkey’s borders to meet calligraphy enthusiasts worldwide, Albayrak Group continues to deliver calligraphy art pieces internationally. The exhibition, organized jointly by Albayrak Group and the Yunus Emre Institute with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was held on November 7 at the Berlin State Library, renowned for its strong Oriental Studies collection.
The exhibition, attended by Turkish Consul General in Berlin İlker Okan Şanlı, Director General of the Berlin State Library (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin) Prof. Dr. Achim Bonte, Coordinator of the Berlin Yunus Emre Institute Samet Kapısız, General Manager of Albayrak Media Abdullah Hanönü, Corporate Communications Coordinator of Albayrak Group Esad Sivri, and calligrapher Mehmed Özçay, was met with great enthusiasm from art enthusiasts. Additionally, Christoph Rauch, Head of the Oriental Manuscripts Department at the Berlin State Library, gave a presentation on the library’s manuscript studies and the art of calligraphy in the Ottoman Empire.
A Journey to the Heart of Europe
The Albayrak Calligraphy Calendar Collection Exhibition continues its journey across the world. After being hosted in Somalia in recent weeks, the exhibition, which has previously traveled to countries like Albania, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tanzania, and Hungary, met with art lovers in Germany on November 7.
Held at the Berlin State Library, a cultural hub in Europe known for its vast collection and as a center for academic and artistic activities, the exhibition attracted significant interest.
During the opening, Abdullah Hanönü addressed the attendees and art lovers, stating, “As Albayrak Group, we are steadily advancing into our 11th year with calligraphy art. Each year, our thematic exhibitions, crafted by master calligraphers around a specific theme during Ramadan, along with our extensive collection exhibitions, have reached over 3 million art enthusiasts worldwide. I believe this exhibition will greatly contribute to the bond and cultural synergy between Germany and Turkey.”
Yunus Emre Institute Steps Up Its Role in Cultural Life
The Yunus Emre Institute, which aims to build connections between Turkey and people worldwide while increasing the number of Turkey’s friends, continues its efforts to boost Turkey’s international visibility, reliability, and reputation.
During the exhibition opening, Berlin Yunus Emre Institute Coordinator Samet Kapısız shared, “In a digitalized world, it’s not easy to bring pen and script together with art and make them eternal. With this vision, Albayrak Group, which has long strived to preserve and pass down traditional Turkish Islamic arts to future generations, is now one of the institutions in Turkey with the largest calligraphy collection. Through its works and exhibitions, it continues to engage art lovers in numerous countries. We are also greatly pleased that our exhibition is meeting art enthusiasts in Germany for the first time.”
