An Evaluation on the Effects of Language-Literature and History-Museum Branches of Community-Houses on Cultural Heritage of Turkey

Abstract

Community Houses are important institutions that operate for public awareness with the establishmentof the Republic of Turkey. In this context, it is aimed to discuss the activities of the CommunityHouses for protection of our cultural heritage through “Language and Literature” and “History andMuseum” branches. The aim of the study is to offer an evaluation, which contributes to the activitiesof both branches, basing the role of Community Houses upon protection of our tangible and intangiblecultural assets. While examining public knowledge and linguistic issues as part of duties andresponsibilities of the “Language and Literature” branch, studies on excavation, conference, museumbuilding, restoration and preservation of ancient monuments were analysed by the “History andMuseum” branch. In this direction, a literature review was made on cultural heritage studies that hadbeen carried out by the Community Houses until 1951, predominantly between 1933 and 1935. Wehave reached some information demonstrating that people realized the importance of the culturalinventory and adopted the consciousness of protecting the national values and studies on art, history,archeology increased. It has been determined that the “Language and Literature” branch tried to instila consciousness of national culture and emphasize the language issue throughout the country.Excavations, ethnography and historical researches have been carried out with the works of the“History and Museum” branch.