Making a speech at the debut of the 2nd Yeditepe Biennial, Erdoğan said: “The fact that the works produced in the same artistic branches by artists of different origins and dispositions are displayed here together indicates that we possess a climate of civilization that rejects every form of discrimination and marginalization. The richness, deepness and uniqueness disseminated by our cultural and artistic works to be displayed at the biennial amount to an unprecedented feast.”

Pointing out that the Yeditepe Biennial – which will continue at Nuruosmaniye Mosque Cellar, Fatih Glass Cube Gallery, and Yedikule Fortress after its launch at Süleymaniye Mosque Soup Kitchen Darüzziyafe – is enough by its venues alone to manifest the striking richness of Istanbul, Erdoğan stated: “The fact that the works produced in the same artistic branches by artists of different origins and dispositions are displayed here together indicates that we possess a climate of civilization that rejects every form of discrimination and marginalization. The richness, deepness and uniqueness disseminated by our cultural and artistic works to be displayed at the biennial amount to an unprecedented feast.”  

“It is one of the most important legacies we inherited from our ancestry that we adopt, employ, modify and upgrade anything that is good, pleasant, useful and valuable no matter where we find them,” Erdoğan said. “In arts, as is the case in all areas, we are a nation that left its mark on history with its capabilities to keep alive, embrace and flourish, not with its complexes. This is best exemplified by the pieces and works displayed at the Yeditepe Biennial. When you take a look at the pieces and works displayed here, you will notice that no other place harbors such beauty, such aesthetics and such fineness.” (ILKHA)