opinion SATURDAY HERITAGE MATTERS 10l08l2019 8-9

Images: International Institute for the Inclusive Museum WHY I LOVE

Glazed bricks in the Archaeological Museum, which along with the Topkapı Palace and provide valuable contemporary approaches to museology in World Heritage discourse. Hagia Sophia is a museum that is both a mosque and a church at once, used for prayers and Christian symbols and frescos are preserved along with the later Islamic motifs and overlay- ered architecture and calligraphy have worked on short- not love Rio for its music, dance tanbul was the European City of list at the loss of the praxis. rary world of broadened recrea- term and long-term pro- and carnival of samba. Despite Culture in 2010. I took advantage It was for the greatest period of tional spectrum of neighbour- jects on all the five conti- losing their national house of of the opportunity with Common its history known as Constantino- hoods is quintessential urbanism nents over the past four treasures and the government Ground Publishing and convened ple. The conservation of the herit- of Istanbul. Women in jeans and decades. I am often asked scrapping culture as a portfolio, our Inclusive Research Network age of the city is one of the best T-shirts marched in defiance of about my favourite cities. Rio celebrates life. It is about your meeting in Istanbul. (https://on- examples in the world for under- the imposition of burqa and It is easy as an interna- sense of belief in yourself as a museums.com/about). Theme: In- standing, assessing and conserv- niqab, not all that long ago. No tional expert on heritage cities to Brazilian. Rio is one of the most tercultural Dialogue and Bridging ing the layers of heritage signifi- wonder, they lead the intellectual Ianswer the question as one can exciting cities on the World Herit- Continents. circles of the city as different from cance over millennia. The rattle off names of so many amaz- age List. Samba is the spirit that International Institute for the research and evidence based her- the stereotypes of coffee houses ing cities. I learnt a very impor- lives on through the hearts of eve- Inclusive Museum considers the itage interpretation of its sites with men smoking. It is not as if tant lesson quite early on – that ryone as an egalitarian moment. 2001 Universal Declaration on Cul- and places of significance would women are into a segregated salon living is different from visiting. A The centrality of culture and crea- tural Diversity (UNESCO) as the make even the most populist her- culture, but they are there occupy- Finnish immigrant living in Mac- tivity to struggle with poverty al- framework for promoting cultural itage expert in India think twice ing the public space as equal to kay, Queensland, Australia, said leviation is best exemplified in diversity and universal heritage before uttering falsehoods like any one as multicultural that when you go somewhere you Rio. I lost my heart in Rio. My ap- through strategic partnerships. that Buddha had been to Amara- sophisticates. see but when you migrate you live petite in Melbourne. But my spir- (http://inclusivemuseums.org/) vathi and that a statue has been The public culture of Istanbul the difference. It was in 1990. I was itual self is in Istanbul. It was established as part of the built on his footsteps and promot- somehow defies all pigeonholing working on the national guide- – it is beyond the straightjackets lines for heritage diversity and of taxonomy. It is no wonder that cultural diversity capacity build- while Europe struggles to see how ing for the Department of Prime it could add intangible heritage to Minister and Cabinet in Canber- its over listed World Heritage in- ra. Understanding the difference scriptions, Istanbul lives the con- between living and visiting re- tinuity of its heritage values in a mains the global focus of the more inclusive and holistic way. struggle between host communi- Whether it is the covered bazaar ties and marauding visitation. Lo- or the churches and mosques or Covered Bazaar with its corridors of spices, sweets and a range of typically Turkish cal heritage values are often politics, Istanbul has an organic or Istanbuller shopping is an intangible heritage experience in itself. Its architecture drowned in the tsunamis of the character that projects for easy is deep with layers of history and diversity. If you get to Coptic quarters of the bazaar marketplace. So which cities ad- consumption and memory mak- then you realise the complexity of heritage values embedded in the bazaar dress this situation better and ing diverse experiences that are why do I like them. cross cutting. It is an exemplar of Copenhagen, Vancouver and the so called ‘experiential tour- Melbourne win us over with a Istanbul is layered with significant and aesthetically outstanding ism’ a phrase much used and range of quality of life indicators. cultural landscapes and waterscapes. Archaeological remains and abused in India. Once you have The former for it bicycle culture, outstanding architecture include an exceptional clustering of Ro- Istanbul is more integrated and evolved across the been to Istanbul, you are seduced winter swimming, creative ener- man, Byzantine and Ottoman monuments. It is surrounded by the cultural borders. This photo wall installation makes by it. But if you stay there long gy, intellectual ferment and pas- Bosphorus, the and the Marmara Sea. It is the only the statement that Europe could aspire to be inclusive enough you cannot leave it. A sion for democracy. The latter gar- World Heritage site that spans two continents – Asia and Europe as it struggles to accept Muslims as Europeans touch of spice is imbued across landed by its marine and Istanbul. What I respect most is mountainous hinterland offers a If is at the crossroads of Action Plan of the Universal Dec- ed in the name of Buddhist that even though the President range of opportunities for young civilisations from Asia and Eu- laration. The institute further ad- tourism. called fresh elections to see if he and all. It teaches you to respect rope then Istanbul is the epicentre dresses the 2005 UNESCO Conven- Istanbul with its 90% Muslim could capture the electorate, he the First Nations and the Salish of inspiration, innovation and tion on the Protection and population and a range of ethno- lost in quick succession. It is this values and the mosaic of Canadi- pluralism. It is often patronising- Promotion of the Diversity of Cul- specific cultural groups teaches fierce self-respect, commitment to an immigrant heritage. Mel- ly dubbed as the most moderate tural Expressions. Istanbul teach- one not just what is moderate Is- secularism and pride in one’s own bourne for me is not only one of Muslim nation. We never say mod- es you that pluralism is dynamic, lam but most importantly cross culture and heritage that makes the most culturally and linguisti- erate Christian nations in Europe. and it needs to be understood from cultural understanding and living Istanbul so special. cally diverse places on earth, it So why this framing of Turkey within the societal formations of together in neighbourhoods. In caters to the appetite and sensi- from the European gaze? Istanbul the place that are dynamic and some ways Europeans with its PROF. DR. bilities of all foodies. The first defies all stereotypes of Europe- continually evolving. So how can predominantly Christian and In- AMARESWAR time I went from London to Mel- ans. In fact, it is one of the most the institution of the museums dia Hindu could learn a thing or GALLA bourne I realised that the Austral- loved cities by Europeans who become inclusive remains an two from Istanbul. People respect ian city provides more diverse cui- love to visit, holiday and often in- open-ended project. It was our the other far more openly and in- a.galla@yahoo. sine at the most reasonable prices, vite its thinkers and writers to Eu- challenge in 2010 in the great city. clude you in their family like com.au compared to any other major city ropean literature festivals and There are several lessons to be friendship. The ability to be once in the world. conferences. Nobel Laureate learnt from Istanbul. I take away own spiritual self and at the same (Professor Dr. Rio de Janeiro. How could you Orhan Pamuk is most heard. Is- my three as more would be a wish time participate in the contempo- Amareswar Galla, an unhyphenated Indo Süleymaniye popularly known as the Blue Mosque to outsiders is a masterpiece of Sinan architec- The World Heritage listed property of Istanbul includes unique monuments and masterpieces of univer- NEXT Heritage Matters will take you to the Past Columns of Heritage Matters can now be downloaded at the new website: Danish Australian, has ture. Topkapı Saray and the Blue Mosque in the archaeological zone; the Sehzade and Süleymaniye sal architecture such as St. Sophia which was built by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus in been frequently in mosques are two of the architect Koca Sinan’s major works. These were constructed under Süleyman 532-537. Hagia Sophia became a model for an entire family of churches and later mosques and before the WEEK World Heritage site of Sanchi http://inclusivemuseums.org/index.php/heritage-matters/ Istanbul as a heritage the Magnificent (1520-1566) mosaics of palaces and churches of Constantinople influenced the Eastern and Western Christian art expert)