Respect for History Local Conservation Awards Presented
The ceremony for the ´18th Respect for History / Local Conservation Award´, a symbol for awareness of Izmir´s historical and cultural heritage, organized by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality was held. People who have been working for Jews and Judaic culture were also seen as worthy of the award.The award ceremony held on Tuesday, January 10th, was in one of Izmir's significant historical venues, the National Cinema - Izmir State Opera and Ballet Elhamra Stage. 'Respect for History / Local Conservation Awards Program is being organized by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality since 2003, to show much-deserved respect to the historical heritage and to encourage the preservation of historical buildings.
The Mayor of Izmir Tunç Soyer, giving a speech during the ceremony where 31 applications were awarded, said, "Together we will protect the future of this country and the dreams of its people. And you will see Izmir will be the place where the future of Turkey is built. I would like to remind you that our project is not a competition. With the Respect for History Local Conservation Awards we are building a bridge of eternity to take Izmir's past to its future. This award is an expression of our respect for not only history but the future. Because a community that does not understand its past cannot have a future. For us, the past is not a memory to remember. It is a light guiding the construction of our future. That is why each of our values awarded today, is the guarantee of our future."
During the ceremony, Selim Bonfil with his photography project 'Jews of Izmir and Karataş Through the Eyes of Foto Gagin', Siren Bora with all her publications of Jewish culture, and Nesim Bencoya with the Sephardic Culture Festival he has organized, were seen as worthy of the 'Contribution to the Protection of Historical Environment and Cultural Heritage' Award, along with Uluç Hanhan, Yaşar Ürük, Saadet Erciyas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yurdagül Bezirgan Arar, and Yılmaz Göçmen. The Etz Hayim Synagogue, Elif Kocabıyık, and Daniele Savasta House received the 'Major Repair Retaining Original Function' Award. Also, Palombo Ticaret named after Rafael Palombo is among the ones receiving the 'Life in a Historic Building' Award.