Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Speaking at the Book of Dede Korkut Launch Ceremony held at the TOBB Twin Towers, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that a society is an organism which evolves from its past. Touching on the fact that the true guide of the clans was their traditions; their cultural and historical inheritance, “No civilization can advance steadily without traditions or national spirit. Change is, of course, important. To grasp zeitgeist, to be in tune with the age is vital. However a nation must build the new upon its own civilization. Ideas are the children of the past, progenitors of the future and always subject to time. No civilization can advance steadily without knowing its past.”

- History is our compass

Stating that a country’s history is its compass for the future, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “In light of this, as the modern representative and inheritor of the Akhi tradition, we are acting to preserve our cultural inheritance. As the umbrella organization of the Turkish private sector we are preserving our ancient heritage and passing it on to future generations.”

Reporting that they compile and publish an important literary masterpiece every year at the highest level of production quality, the TOBB President stated these are being distributed nationally and internationally, promoting and spreading our culture. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they’ve put out the works of Mehmet Akif, Yunus Emre and Necip Fazıl, “This year, we are publishing one of the most significant examples of Turkish and Islamic Sufism. One of the most ancient Turkish sagas, the great epic of the Oguz Turks, the Book of Dede Korkut.”

Stating that many wrongly believe the Book of Dede Korkut to be a children’s book, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that it is very much guide for adults as well. TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Of course, children’s stories are also valuable and meaningful. However looking at the Book of Dede Korkut in this way is limiting to our minds and ideas. Because Dede Korkut is a very useful bedside book for adults, administrators and those who have made it their life to fight for their nation and country.

The Book of Dede Korkut is the product of an oral tradition which transverses languages and narrators throughout history following the conversion of Turks to Islam. These have only been transcribed in the 15th and 16th centuries. We are deeply thankful to those who took on this task.

The Book of Dede Korkut is a summary of how Turks view nature, people, mother, father, comrade, friend, enemy and Allah. Those who read this book will learn the core of Turkish ethics and tradition; of Turkish history. The original was written in Oguz Turkish using Ottoman script. The Book of Dede Korkut is one of the least researched historical documents. Its discovery and deliverance to this age has not been undertaken by us. This is a great sadness for us. Despite this, it is vital to recognize the effort involved and extend our gratitude.

Having been lax in preserving the inheritance of our ancestors, we were unable to keep the original manuscripts in our possession. Two originals exist today, one in Dresden and the other in the Vatican. We worked diligently to gain access to these copies. Looking at the end product, I can say that our efforts were worth it. The facsimile of the Vatican copy is being printed in Turkey for the first time.

The identical transcriptions of both the Vatican and Dresden copies are being printed in the same book. Our goal is to provide Turkish researchers an opportunity to work with an accurate copy of originals.”

- Product of 13 months of work

Reporting that the Book of Dede Korkut, numbering 1,492 pages, is the end product of 13 months of work, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that preparations have been made with regards to integration with academic databases in order to act as a resource for scientific research. Stating that the miniatures specially designed for this masterpiece were made by 18 artists as a result of months of work.

Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked the academics Prof. Dr. İlhan Genç, Prof. Dr. Atabey Kılıç and  Prof. Dr. Hakkı Aksoyak; miniature artists lead by Habibe Şimşek; and TOBB personnel Hasan Erbay, Yasin Ekmen and Werner Gruber who contributed to the preparation of the book.

- Prime Minister Ahmet Davtuoğlu

Prime Minister Ahmet Davtuoğlu stated that, in a time of sectarian fragmentation within İslam, Dede Korkut is an indivisible unifying factor.

Stating that such works as the Book of Dede Korkut, when considered academically, are in essence an analysis of the effects of transitional periods on political thought as a part of cultural transformation, PM Davutoğlu pointed to the Greek civilization as an example with a parallel being provided by the transition from paganism to Christianity with many pagan gods becoming saints in the Christian faith.

Davutoğlu stated that there are transitional works in Turkish history from the time of transition from oral to written; from metaphysical to historical, saying that these have a timeless quality to them and that without the appreciation of the effects of learning on that time of synthesis.

Davutoğlu stressed the historical, cultural and literary importance of the Book of Dede Korkut with regards to the such works as the Kutadgu Bilig, Divan-i Lugati’t Turk, Menakibname, Saltukname and Danishmentname.