Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to be here at the opening of the exhibition of "On the Road to Porcelain: Blue and White". Let me first extend my sincere thanks to the Amsterdam Yunus Emre Institute for hosting this exhibition – another cultural event to recognize a significant milestone: the 100th anniversary of the signature of the Friendship Treaty between Türkiye and the Netherlands. I also salute and thank all of our artists who produced this exhibition and who made today possible.

Turkish-Dutch relations has various features. In addition to alliance, friendship and trade, they have striking cultural symbols. These include Angora (Ankara) mohair wool, influence of Turkish rugs on Dutch and Flemish painting, needlees to repeat tulip, but also as we see today, porcelain. Therefore, it gives us great pleasure that the fifth edition of this exhibition series is being displayed in the Netherlands. This collection is featuring original Blue & Whiteb ceramic works by 57 ceramic artists from Italy, the Netherlands and Türkiye. The motto of these exhibitions and events, which centres around ceramic material as an art medium, is “respect for the past, a gift to the future”.

Ceramics have long been a symbol where history, culture and innovation meet. The delicate blue and white patterns that adorn our living spaces as well as the intricate techniques have been inherited throughout generations. Ceramics tell the stories of the peoples who make them. The history of ceramic making dates back thousands of years, with roots in ancient civilizations across the world. And in Türkiye, ceramics have been cherished for centuries, from the tiles of the Seljuk and Ottoman Empires to the contemporary works we see today. The iconic İznik tiles, with their vivid blue and white designs, have not only adorned mosques and palaces, but have also become a symbol of the Turkish cultural heritage. These patterns, often inspired by nature, represent the deep connection between the artists and their environments.

Similarly, the Dutch also have left a mark in the world of ceramics. The Netherlands is renowned for its Delftware, which emerged in the 16th century influenced by Chinese porcelain. Hence, in a way, the blue and white designs of ceramics also reflect the influence of global trade and cultural exchange, a testament to the interconnectivity of our world.

Historically, the ties between Türkiye and the Netherlands have flourished, especially when trade routes brought not just goods, but also ideas and artistic techniques. This exhibition also displays the unique perspectives of our contemporary artists.

The artists featured here have taken the essence of their cultural backgrounds and woven it into their ceramics, creating pieces that are not just functional, but also rich in narrative and emotion.

On this note, I would like to congratulate all artists and experts who made this project possible and I hope the ties they have built will continue. I invite you all to immerse yourselves in the stories and craftsmanship on display. Each piece is a journey in itself.

While marking the 100^th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between Türkiye and the Netherlands, I wish this friendship continue to flourish in the centuries ahead with the contribution our artists.

Thank you.