“The World as a Battlefield: The Migration of Syrian Contemporary Art and the Prospects of Continuity in Hosting Countries” study conducted by researcher Jumana Al-Yasiri is part of this year’s “Cultural Priorities in Syria” project, which was launched by Ettijahat: Independent Culture in 2012, and focuses on producing cultural research and studies carried out by several researchers and activists working in the field of cultural policy. A book that includes a number of completed research papers tackling the question of challenges facing cultural work in Syria’s current condition will follow publication and is edited by researchers and academics from various specialisations.

It is worth noting that the “Cultural Priorities in Syria” project was launched in parallel with the foundation of the Core Group for Cultural Policy in Syria which is part of “Cultural Policy in the Arab Region” programme’s framework, launched by Al Mawred Al Thaqafi in 2009. The programme seeks to develop cultural policy in Arab countries and improve the conditions of cultural work through forming national working groups that bring about change at the level of cultural policy. Ettijahat functions as the programme’s regional coordinator. Link

A hunting lodge built by Czar Nicholas II of Russia in the eastern province of Kars during the Russian occupation era will be restored and reopened to serve as a hotel. Known as the “Katerina mansion” by locals, the Katerina Hunting Lodge was built in Kars’ Sarıkamış while the district was under Russian occupation for 40 years after the Ottoman-Russian War. After the restoration work is completed, it will serve tourism. Link

An inventory of the types of wood used in the production of 37 sunken ships discovered in Istanbul’s Yenikapı neighborhood during the construction of the city’s Marmaray subway project has been taken, shedding light on ancient ship production techniques. Link

Crucial findings in ancient Heraion-Teikhos in Turkey’s Thracian province of Tekirdağ, which illuminates the life of the ancient Thracian people, are being threatened by illegal treasure hunters, according to the head of the excavations in the field. Link

Archaeologists working on one of Turkey’s few Black Sea islands, Giresun Island, have found evidence suggesting that religion was paramount on the piece of land, which lies 1.2 kilometers off the Turkish coast. Graves found during excavations on Giresun Island indicate that religious life was dominant on the island, which featured a complete monastery complex. Link

The historical Vordonisi Island, which is 700 meters away from the Maltepe shore and known as Istanbul’s lost island, has been brought to light with the support of the Maltepe Municipality. Remnants of the island have been recently photographed by an exploration team. Its purpose: to draw attention to the long-forgotten, sunken island. Link

New findings obtained at the Temple of Apollo, located in the village of Gülpınar in the northwestern province of Çanakkale’s Ayvacık district, have revealed a residence, revealing plans and gardens of various eras. The Temple of Apollo Smintheus, which became nonfunctional some 1,500 years ago, was used for different purposes in each era. Link

Numerous art institutions across Turkey, including the State Theater, have either postponed or canceled performances and openings over the weekend in the face of a deadly suicide blast on Saturday morning in Ankara that killed at least 95 people and injured hundreds of others. Link

Conflicts in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır’s central district of Sur have damaged ancient city walls, which were recently inducted onto UNESCO’s World Heritage List, as well as some other structures. Link

Bones unearthed during archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Ephesus in Turkey’s west have newly revealed that species such as leopard and rhino existed in the region. Animal bones unearthed are being examined at a newly-established lab, giving fresh clues about people’s positions in society in the ancient era. Link