- The exhibition will be open from 22 to 31 May in the C Arte C gallery, located at the Museo del Traje in Madrid. Admission is free, and the exhibition offers visitors an insight into the rich landscapes, history and culture of Türkiye.
- The opening took place on 21 May, presided over by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Spain, Nüket Küçükel Ezberci, alongside photographer Pío Cabanillas.
Organised by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Spain, the exhibition brings together a selection of images by Pío Cabanillas that weave a visual narrative of the profound identity of Anatolia, one of the country’s most fascinating regions.
The exhibition, which is being held at the C Arte C gallery — a cultural space within the Museo del Traje in Madrid — will remain open to the public until 31 May, with free admission and opening hours from Tuesday to Sunday, establishing itself as a unique opportunity to experience the natural and cultural richness of Türkiye right in the heart of the capital.
Through his lens, the renowned photographer offers an intimate and evocative perspective in which rock becomes the thread running through the story: a natural element, but also a refuge, a spiritual space and the setting for everyday life. In the landscapes of Cappadocia and other Anatolian regions, stone has been shaped over centuries by both nature and human activity, giving rise to underground cities, cave dwellings and temples that still keep their memory alive today.
The exhibition is structured around four concepts: rock, refuge, faith andlife, inviting visitors to explore the multiple layers of meaning within this territory. From the unique geological formations, sculpted by wind and time, to the spaces of spiritual retreat hidden within the stone, the images reveal a way of inhabiting the landscape where history, culture and nature are unsurpassed.
Furthermore, the exhibition focuses on the human dimension of Türkiye, capturing scenes of daily life, traditional crafts and gestures of hospitality that form an essential part of the country’s character. In this way, the exhibition not only documents a territory but also conveys a way of understanding the world in which the ancestral coexists with the contemporary in a unique balance.
The cultural and symbolic significance of the exhibition was reaffirmed at its official opening ceremony. The official inauguration took place on 21 May, at an event attended by institutional authorities, representatives of the diplomatic corps and professionals from the cultural sector, as well as numerous journalists and opinion leaders, reinforcing Türkiye’s position as a leading cultural destination in Spain.
During the event, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Spain, Nüket Küçükel Ezberci, highlighted the value of this initiative as a tool for cultural rapprochement: “This exhibition is a window onto Türkiye’s historical, cultural and human richness.
Through the lens of Pío Cabanillas, we wish to invite the Spanish public to discover a country where civilisations overlap, where history remains alive and where every landscape holds profound meaning”.
For his part, photographer Pío Cabanillas focused on the personal experience that gave rise to the project: “Anatolia is a land that is not merely contemplated, but lived. In every valley, in every stone, there is a history accumulated over centuries. This exhibition stems from an attempt to capture that intimate relationship between human beings and the landscape, where rock is not merely matter, but memory, refuge and a symbol of life.”
Anatolia, a key region for Türkiye’s cultural heritage
Anatolia is one of Türkiye’s most significant regions from a historical and cultural perspective, where ancient civilisations have left an extraordinary legacy that remains relevant to this day. From the volcanic landscapes of Cappadocia to unique sites such as Göbeklitepe — considered one of humanity’s oldest monuments — the region offers a unique insight into the depth and diversity of the country’s heritage.
Beyond its monuments, Anatolia stands out for its authenticity and a way of life that preserves traditions, crafts and values such as hospitality. Cities such as Mardin, Şanlıurfa and Gaziantep reflect this cultural richness and the enduring connection between past and present, making Türkiye an inspiring destination for those seeking authentic and meaningful experiences.
The opening of the exhibition also coincided with Turkish Cuisine Week, an international initiative that highlights the richness and diversity of Türkiye’s gastronomic heritage. In this context, attendees were able to enjoy a selection of Turkish specialities, reflecting a culinary tradition forged over centuries of cultural exchange in Anatolia. As a nod to the Mediterranean affinity between Türkiye and Spain, the menu also included dishes such as rice pudding (Sütlaç), highlighting the links and similarities between the two gastronomic cultures.
About the TÜRKİYE TOURISM PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (TGA)
TGA operates to ensure that Türkiye is a recognised brand in national and international tourism, to promote Türkiye’s tangible and intangible, natural, cultural, biological and man-made heritage, and to engage in short-, medium- and long-term communication and marketing activities, with the aim of increasing the contribution of tourism investment to the national economy and improving the quality of service in tourism.
TGA is responsible for carrying out all promotional, marketing and communication activities to help Türkiye achieve its tourism objectives, promote and market existing tourism resources worldwide, and identify, develop and make potential tourism resources available online, in line with the tourism strategies and policies drawn up by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Source: COMUNICACIÓN IBEROAMERICANA