A Portrait of Turkey
In conjunction with the Museum Society's two cultural tours to Turkey this spring, we have invited Fatih Dikmen to come from Istanbul to present a talk on the cultural and historical treasures of Turkey. This event will begin with a light buffet of dimsum appetizers.
In addition, we have invited art consultant and historian, Catherine Maudsley, to give a brief commentary on 'Rumi's Search for the Beloved'. Catherine, whose formal training in the study of religion included aspects of Sufism, will speak about Celaleddin Rumi's spiritual journey and awakening as a Sufi and how this 13th century poet and mystic's compassion and love for all beings is relevant to our modern world. Her talk will start at 6? pm.
Catherine Maudsley, whose formal training in the study of religion included aspects of Sufism, will speak about Celaleddin Rumi's spiritual journey and awakening as a Sufi, and how the 13th century poet and mystic's compassion and love for all beings is relevant to our modern world. According to Rumi, music helped devotees to focus their whole being on the Divine. He believed passionately in music, poetry and dance as a path for reaching God. It was from these ideas that the practice of "whirling" dervishes developed into a ritual form. In 1273, a Sufi order known as the Whirling Dervishes, or the Mevlevi Order, was founded by Rumi's followers in Konya, Turkey. Each year, December 17 is celebrated as Rumi's "Wedding Day" in Konya to honour his passage from this world and the consummation of his divine love. Rumi, whose path to God was through divine love, is unquestionably Islam's greatest ambassador of peace today.
Based in Hong Kong, Catherine Maudsley is a renowned consultant and writer who teaches and lectures on Asian art. The recipient of numerous scholarly awards and research fellowships, Catherine has been a guest lecturer to over 30 organizations, including Sotheby's Institute of Arts as well as global forums. She was educated in Canada, the USA, Beijing, Hong Kong and Kyoto and holds MA and MPhil degrees in fine arts and religion.
A bridge between Asia and Europe, Turkey is one of the great cradles of ancient civilization with intriguing layers of history and culture, art and architecture, ancient ruins and ornate palaces. Fatih Dikmen comes from Istanbul to present the cultural and historical treasures of Turkey – from the famous archaeological sites of Ephesus, Pergamum and Aphrodisias to the traditions and religious customs of the great Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The breathtaking scenery and haunting landscapes of Pamukkale, Goreme and Cappadocia deserve special mention, as well as the unique architecture of the Armenian and Greek Orthodox churches, the fabulous mosques and the treasures housed in the palaces and museums in Istanbul.
Fatih Dikmen graduated with a BSc degree in Tourism Management from Dokuz Eylül University of Izmir and an MA degree in Sustainable Tourism from the University Of Savoie, France. He specializes in leading archaeological tours from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Asia and in giving lectures, at home and abroad, on the history, language, culture, cuisine, flora and fauna of Turkey. Fatih Dikmen is a professional tour consultant registered with Turkey's Ministry of Culture.