A delegation from the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation conducted a working visit to Hungary, focusing on preserving, digitizing, and promoting shared cultural heritage internationally. From February 3–6, 2026, the team traveled from Budapest to Szigetvár, holding high-level diplomatic meetings and technical inspections of cultural sites.
Led by project director Nuri Aksu, the delegation included Evren Rutbil (IICAS), Osman Özsoy (Turkic World Foundation), and architect Hasan Fevzi Çügen. They first met with Turkey’s Ambassador to Hungary, Gülşen Karanıs Ekşioğlu, discussing future projects and ways to expand academic and digital cooperation.
The team visited the Gül Baba Mausoleum, where deputy director Gábor Palfi highlighted May as the optimal period for scanning and visualizing the mausoleum and the Öziceli Hacı İbrahim Mosque. Discussions included official permits and technical aspects of photogrammetry and drone documentation.
On the second day, a meeting with Anita Kish-Hédhi at Hungary’s Ministry of Culture and Innovation led to agreements on joint exhibitions and access to digital heritage databases. The delegation also visited the “Attila” exhibition at the Hungarian National Museum, reviewing museum interpretation methods for Central Asian and Hunnic history. In Esztergom, the Öziceli Hacı İbrahim Mosque and historical fortress were assessed, exploring modern restoration techniques.
The third day focused on regional Turkic monuments. At the Ministry of Transport and Construction, discussions with deputy state secretary Krisztina Deák addressed 3D scanning projects, national registry systems, and the e-miras digital platform. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, talks with Ádám Szűcs focused on strategic projects, including the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Mohács and combating illegal circulation of cultural assets.
In Érd, the delegation inspected the Hamza Bey Mosque minaret and met Mayor Dr. László Csezik, discussing digital documentation and developing the surrounding area as a cultural-recreational zone. In Székesfehérvár, Ottoman bath ruins were reviewed with deputy mayor Jólt Lerner. In Pécs, the Idris Baba Mausoleum and the Yakovalı Hasan Pasha and Gazi Kasim Pasha Mosques were visited, with expert briefings on heritage management.
The visit concluded in Szigetvár, viewing the Ali Pasha and Sultan Suleiman Mosques and their burial sites, as well as the Turkish-Hungarian Friendship Park and “Turkish House” Museum. A final meeting in Budapest with TİKA coordinator Fatih Yoldaş outlined plans for digital registration of Turkic heritage in Hungary.
