OCTOBER 18, 2008

The Panel and show-case event at Sorgun and Kerkenes, on the October 18, was a success at all levels. The three Ambassadors who attended, British Ambassador Nick Baird, Australian Ambassador Peter Doyle and Canadian Ambassador Mark Bailey, were hosted by the governor of Yozgat Amir Çiçek, and all three made a speech during the opening ceremony of the Panel taking place in the Ilyas Arslan Conference Center, Sorgun. The Governor of Yozgat, Amir Çiçek, expressed strong support in his opening speech.

Chairing the panel, Melik Ayar of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums, praised the initiative of the Kerkenes Eco-Center that developed alongside the archaeological research project and suggested that this should be a model for all projects in Turkey. Following the presentation of the Archaeology of Yozgat by the Acting Director of the Yozgat Museum, Hasan Şenyurt, and that of the Iron Age City by the Kerkenes Project Director, Geoffrey Summers, an overview of the Kerkenes Eco-Center mission and activities was presented by Françoise Summers and Soofia Özkan.

The events were organised by the Sorgun District Governor, Ertuğrul Kiliç, with the collaboration of the Sorgun Municipality and other local organisations. Youth from schools in Sorgun were invited and transport provided for them to visit Kerkenes on Saturday and Sunday. Over 100 students from the Sorgun Telekom Lycee were shown round the Eco-Center as well as the Archaeological site.