UNESCO celebrations for 17th century Ottoman traveller

PARIS (A.A) - November 14, 2011 - Celebrations to mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of the 17th century Ottoman traveller Evliya Celebi began on Monday in Paris under the auspices of the UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The events opened with an international scientific symposium under the banner, "Evliya Celebi: Europe at the time of a 17th Century Ottoman Traveller." "Evliya Celebi is a peace ambassador who tells us about the multi-cultural structure of the continental Europe, the Middle East and the Caucasia," Professor Bekir Karliaga, head of the coordination committee of the Alliance of Civilizations, told the symposium. Katerine Steneu, director of UNESCO's Division of Cultural Policies and Intercultural Dialogue, said Evliya Celebi had been an important representative of dialogue and reconciliation in his time, adding that UNESCO was proud to oversee the celebrations. Among others, the events also include a documentary "Spells of Istanbul: Neither Rumor nor Fact" which is produced and directed by Turkish film maker Nurdan Arca.