During the month of January, Affinity Intercultural Foundation hosted the Studies of Religion & Ancient History students from a Uniting Church private school called Kinross Wolaroi School, based out of Orange. The senior high school students, who were mostly in Year 12, along with their teachers visited Turkey to observe the expression of faith and observe the cultural behaviours of the locals whilst taking in some breathtaking sites. They were also given an opportunity to visit a local school to interact with the local students to share experiences and information about their identity. The students also were given a chance to pay their respects to the diggers who sacrificed their lives in the Gallipoli campaign.
Students at Capaddoccia
The tour included 2 Affinity members – Ahmet Keskin and Ruveyda Ozturk. The tour commenced in Istanbul where the students were taken to a local school for interaction and genuine dialogue, learning about each other from their own frame of reference. The objective of the school visits were for the students to learn about their similarities and subtle differences in the context of their environment such as their family and the country and how it plays a role in their lives. These sessions were truly beneficial as the students quickly realised they had a lot in common and although there’s a great distance that separates the two sets of students, collectively they all shared a set of common goals and concerns. This was in reference to their desire for global peace, concern for the environment and respect for human individuality irrespective of their race, colour, ethnicity or religious orientation. The school experience was one of the key highlights of the tour as the Australian students were invited to one local students home for an evening meal and a quick rendition of a local tradition called the “Henna Night’’ which is the Turkish version of a Hens Night.Thereafter, we visited Fatih University, one of the leading education institutions of Turkey. It has the largest contingent of international students within Turkey. The university provided some wonderful Ebru paintings for the students to observe and take away with them. Ebru is a traditional water painting technique that was introduced during the Ottoman era and it is still being practiced today. The students also got to see some traditional Turkish musical instruments. A couple of students from the touring delegation sang songs for the local university staff/residents which was well received.
After Fatih University, we went to Canakkale or the region otherwise known to Australians as the Dardanelles. We visited the terrains of the Gallipoli peninsula to see the many sites where the ANZACs have been laid to rest whilst reflecting on the mission they were tasked to do. To think that some of those who are resting in Gallipoli are not much older than the students made a lot of us reflect on the destructive nature of war, not only to the environment but for the loss of a young promising life which was taken away from them without it blossoming. As much as the Gallipoli campaign was ferocious and merciless, our local tour guide summed up the ANZAC and Turkish troops spirit (and conduct) in the following sentence – “This war was the last gentlemen’s war”. This is evident based on the stories that have been passed down from each side regarding how respect for the fellow human being was developed in an ambience of hostility. This is a tribute to the 2 cultures, which are founded on common principles. Another virtue the Turks and Australians share.From Gallipoli we ventured down south towards Izmir but not before we stopped over to the legendary site of Troy and Assos. Troy gave us an imaginary glimpse of what life would have been like many thousands of years ago based on the architecture that has survived till modern times. The town of Assos was also an important crossroad in ancient Asia Minor as notable figures like Aristotle and St Paul had visited this city. The columns and other ruins are still in good tact, all situated at the hilltop with a breathtaking view out to the Aegean Sea, with the isle of Lesbos so close to shore. We then set off for Izmir.
The surrounds of Izmir hosts some very important historical sites, namely Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary. By initially visiting the House of the Virgin Mary, the students found time to reflect and offer a prayer. The ambience was felt by all, as we had to walk amongst the many international pilgrims and locals; it truly was a serene environment. Not too far away from the House of the Virgin Mary was Ephesus. A city that was very prominent in its prime, most likely visited by the Virgin Mary herself. Seeing the ancient ruins just made us imagine the grand scale of the city considering some buildings were very tall. The next day we visited Sifa Hospital in Izmir. We were all amazed at how advanced the cancer treatment process was and how they were able to put the equipment into good use.From Izmir we visited Bursa, one of the largest cities of Turkey. The Grand Mosque and the Silk Bazaar along with witnessing the Whirling Dervishes were some of the highlights. From there we went back to Istanbul to walk around the Sultan Ahmet Centre, witnessing the grand structures of Hagia Sophia Church and Sultan Ahmet Mosque followed by a visit to Topkapi Palace. The trip continued by visiting the Archaeological Museum and the Byzantine Cistern. Everyone was in awe of the ancient buildings and the role they played back then to the life it still gives to the people now.
In Istanbul we also visited the ancient Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar as we polished off our bargaining skills whilst purchasing gifts to bring back home. The Istanbul leg of the trip concluded with a visit to the Journalist & Writers Foundation (known as GYV), an intercultural dialogue organisation, similar to Affinity. It was a truly enriching experience to know that GYV facilitated platforms for people of different faith traditions and the diametrically opposed ideological organisations to come together, meet and discuss common ambitions and concerns in a friendly environment. Afterwards we visited the Humanitarian Foundation (Kimse Yok Mu ?) to hear how they have been able to reach out and aid thousands of people in need without discriminating on faith, ethnicity, colour, ideological views or other. This session kindled great interest amongst the students as it made them realise they could offer some form of assistance in the near future to help out their fellow human beings.
The tour also included a visit to Cappadocia. Witnessing a white Cappadocia was an amazing site and to think that many centuries ago, the early Christian period saw people would be living in those cave dwellings during the harsh periods of winter made us all realise the great level of sacrifice people gave to preserve what is dear to them.Generally the feedback of the tour was quite positive with many of the students saying the tour has exceeded their expectations and has broadened their perspectives on service. That is that life is not only about earning an education degree, whether it be a HSC or University degree and then get a job to settle down or travel the world…… at some stage in their lives they should feel the compelling urge to put back in to the community and support social harmony…… help your fellow human being in whatever capacity you can. Many of them also said they will definitely be coming back again in the future to relive the experience and see some more sites as clearly Turkey is rich in its heritage and legacy for future generations.
