Cultural heritage is the set of values that inherit the cultural richness and traditions of societies from the past and transfer them to the future. Conservation of cultural heritage, also called "living heritage", and its transfer to the future are of vital importance for nations. Societies that preserve their cultural values and connect with the universal culture can have a say in the globalizing world with their national identities.

In the transfer of culture from generation to generation, in addition to oral and written works, colors, motifs and patterns are also of great importance. Traditional weavings contain a wealth of motifs and patterns that reflect the world of emotion and thought of Turkish people. The vitality of cultural memory is made possible by preserving and making sense of these values.

The "Fabrics Atlas of Turkey" was carried out under the auspices of our President's wife, Mrs. Emine ERDOĞAN, and implemented by the Istanbul Beylerbeyi Sabancı Technical (Continuation) Institute and with the support of the Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ministry of Commerce and ITHIB (Istanbul Textile Raw Materials Exporters' Association). This project is a cultural project created with the aim of preserving and developing the weaving culture of thousands of years, which forms the memory of Turkish nation, transferring it from generation to generation with social awareness and promoting it to the world.

Anatolian weaving, which started in Çatalhöyük (Catal Huyuk) 9000 years ago, has guided the worldwide weaving trade in every age. Turkish weaving culture, which came from Central Asia and enriched with the local cultures of Anatolia, has been rapidly losing its traditional values in recent years and has been modernized for various reasons and moved away from its originality.

With the "Fabrics Atlas of Turkey", it will be ensured that the weaving culture of Anatolia is researched and the data are collected in a single source, and that traditional weavings are examined on a regional or even provincial basis and detailed in technical terms. The general aim of the project is to identify and catalogue the local weavings, to produce them in accordance with their originals and to protect the ones produced by traditional methods. Within the scope of this project; it is aimed to encourage the registration of geographical indications for all characteristic local weavings and to carry out studies for the production of weavings that have received geographical indications in accordance with the standards.

The “Fabrics Atlas of Turkey” will ensure that Anatolia's thousands of years of richness and potential meet with trade, culture and art in the international arena. The primary goal and invitation of the project is to introduce traditional weavings, which form the roots of Turkey's strong textile trade in the 21st century, to the world as a "Turkish brand" with contemporary designs.

The priority goals of the project include facilitating local development by bringing traditional weavings together with the textile and fashion sector, and contributing to cultural tourism and local development by creating "Weaving Culture Routes" and "Living Museums."

• To follow the cultural traces that we have created with natural fibers such as wool, cotton, linen and silk by examining traditional Turkish hand weavings in terms of geographical indication, raw material, weaving and dyeing. To determine the values that we can add to the global culture in weaving methods and pattern language.
• In addition to keeping Turkish weaving alive as a valuable craft, to make a difference in the world fabric sector by making use of technological changes and developments and contributing to local development by turning traditional weaving into a prestigious commercial activity.
• To attract the attention of local and international fashion designers and buyers and to increase the demand for these weavings by creating displays that point to natural herbal dyeing and local weaving methods. To support the environmental approach with the development of sustainable and nature-friendly textile products.
• To design and create local and global exhibitions, workshops and collaborations under the leadership of traditional weavings determined as “Turkish Weaving.”
• To follow the research and development stages of weavings with academic collaborations.
• To introduce to the world the weavings of Antep Kutnu, Ankara Sofu, Şal Şapik, Rize Bezi /Feretiko, Ehram, Beledi and Denizli Buldan, which we wish to be imprinted on the memories as "Turkish Weaving." To exhibit Kutnu's color and pattern, Ankara Sofu's silky softness, water repellency and unique wool weaving feature preferred by the whole world for centuries, the value that Üsküdar Çatma will add to home textiles with its patterns and colors, and Denizli Buldan Cloth's bright and light silk weaving with natural dyes by transforming it into contemporary useful designs.
• To contribute to local development and cultural tourism by creating "Weaving Culture Routes" and "Living Museums" among the cities such as Erzurum, Siirt, Şırnak, where wool weaving is made, Black Sea cities where linen and hemp stand out, cities on the Silk Road, such as Denizli, Bursa and Istanbul, which have been the centers of weaving throughout history by following the Anatolian weaving culture.

• Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of National Education Lifelong Learning Directorate-Technical (Continuation) Institutes-Public Education Centers
• Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism- General Directorate of Research and Education (ARAGEM)
• Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism – Museums
• Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of Commerce
• TIM- Turkish Exporters' Association
• ITHIB-Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters' Association
• Marmara University, Textile Engineering -Textile and Manuscripts Conservation and Restoration R&D Laboratory
• Local Administrations: Metropolitan Municipalities, Provincial and District Municipalities
• Non-Governmental Organizations, Foundations and Local Women's Cooperatives

ACADEMIC ADVISORY BOARD

H. Hümeyra Şahin, Cultural Historian

Ottoman Palace Weavings:

Prof. Dr. Hülya TEZCAN, Nişantaşı University, Faculty Member, Faculty of Art and Design, Fashion and Textile Department, Retired from Topkapı Palace Museum’s Sultan's Clothing Department

Anatolian Traditional Weavings:

Prof. Dr. Aydın UĞURLU, Faculty Member, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University Faculty of Fine Arts Traditional Turkish Arts Department

Prof. Dr. Mehmet AKALIN

Official of the Organizing Institute:

Yusuf GÜRLEK, Manager of Istanbul Beylerbeyi Sabancı Technical (Continuation) Institute

Project Steering Committee:

Ayşe DİZMAN (Master of Arts), Istanbul Beylerbeyi Sabancı Technical (Continuation) Institute / Department Head of Design / Project Coordinator

Asst. Prof. Dr. Servet Senem UĞURLU, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Faculty of Fine Arts Traditional Turkish Arts Department

Dr. Meral ÖZOMAY, Marmara University Textile Engineering Textile and Manuscripts Conservation and Restoration R&D Central Laboratory Supervisor

Dr. Lale TEKİN GENÇ, Istanbul Bilgi University Fashion Textile Design Lecturer- Anthropologist

Assoc. Dr. Raşit GÜNDOĞDU, Health Sciences University Hamidiye Vocational School of Health Services Department of Social Work and Counseling- Ottoman Archives Specialist

Dr. Ragsana HASANOVA, Istanbul Beylerbeyi Sabancı Technical (Continuation) Institute Restoration and Conservation Laboratory of Movable Cultural Heritage Specialist -Conservator-Restorer

Dr. Nuray KOMSER, Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate of Research and Education (ARAGEM) – Folklore Expert

Project Research Team:
Research Department of Istanbul Beylerbeyi Sabanci Technical (Continuation) Institute

Reyhan ÇELİK
Feyza ÇELİK
Esra ÖZKEN
Melis BAYCAN
Nurcan ACARÇAĞ
Edanur ÖZTÜRK