Refik Anadol Exhibition Opens in Debrecen

Refik Anadol's Rumi Dreams exhibition opened on Saturday at the Modern and Contemporary Art Center (MODEM) in Debrecen, E Hungary; the world-famous Turkish-American media artist's video work, which requires a 32-square-meter LED wall, was made in memory of the poet, philosopher, and scientist Mevlana Jallaludin Rumi, who lived in the 13th century.

Gülsen Karanis Eksioglu, Turkey's ambassador to Hungary, said that more than 90 events have been organized in various locations within the framework of the Hungarian-Turkish Cultural Year organized on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Turkish-Hungarian diplomatic relations, reaching a total of more than 200,000 people. However, this is the first time that Turkey will be presented in Debrecen - he stated at the opening, adding that the major attractions of the cultural season were reserved for Debrecen.

Regarding the exhibition, he highlighted that Refik Anadol presents one of the most precious figures of Turkish cultural heritage, Mevlana Jallaludin Rumi, and the remarkable video installation was inspired by Rumi's poems. The exhibition is based on the rich collection that was collected with the contribution of the municipality of Konya, the former city of the poet, philosopher, and scientist. Refik Anadol and his team processed this rich collection with digital tools.

Mevlana Jallaludin Rumi's messages are well known, as love, understanding, tolerance, and forgiveness are more important today than ever before. Despite our differences, we form a whole as humanity, he added.

Kata Vizi, the managing director of MODEM, said that Refik Anadol's exhibition at MODEM is an event of special importance, which came to the city as part of the 58th Debrecen Flower Carnival in addition to the Turkish-Hungarian Cultural Year. The exhibition can be visited until September 29.