"Turkey Knocks on Europe's Door With a Thousand Years of Culture
By ALAN RIDING
Published: February 1, 2005
ONDON - The Turks marched into central Europe in 1529 and again in 1683, but their troops were stopped at the gates of Vienna. Now, more politely, Turkey is looking to enter the European Union through diplomacy, but it still faces resistance. By all accounts, it must demonstrate over the next decade that a large Muslim nation deserves a place in Europe. To this end, it is mobilizing culture.
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One step is 'Turks: A Journey of a Thousand Years, 600-1600,' a large exhibition running through April 12 at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Most of the 350 objects on display come from two major Istanbul museums, while three Turkish business groups are the show's main sponsors. Turkey's culture minister, Erkan Mumcu, said he hoped the exhibition would help Turkey's campaign to become part of Europe.
And why not? Before Europeans hold referendums on whether to admit Turkey, they must better know a people whose popular image is still largely shaped by the clichés of warriors, harems and immigrants. Certainly, few Europeans today recognize Turkey as a modern secular state with a rich and sophisticated past. So, yes, if "Turks" travels around Europe, as proposed, it should prove something of a revelation."
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