An exhibition of Islamic calligraphy art titled “IRCICA Generation of Calligraphers: Sample Works of the International Competition Winners” was opened in the afternoon of 24 December 2023 at the National Library and Archives of Djibouti. The exhibition was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism of the Republic of Djibouti, with the collaboration of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye (IRCICA’s host country) in Djibouti, for the period of 24-28 December 2023. The artworks on display were selected from among the award-winning works of the first ten rounds of the triennial IRCICA International Calligraphy Competition which were held between 1986 and 2016.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition was addressed by the Minister of Commerce and Tourism of Djibouti Mr. Mohamed Warsama Dirieh; the Minister of Youth and Culture of Djibouti Dr. Hibo Moumin Assoweh; the Ambassador of Türkiye Mr. Cenk Uraz; and the Director General of IRCICA, Ambassador Prof. Mahmud Erol Kılıç. The Minister of Commerce and Tourism expressed his appreciation of the cooperation developed between Djibouti and IRCICA and the promotion of arts and culture through joint international activities. The Minister of Youth and Culture expressed her thanks to IRCICA and the Ambassador of Türkiye for the exhibition and for introducing the arts of calligraphy to the public. In his address, the Ambassador of Türkiye underlined the importance of international activities of arts and culture as exemplified in this exhibition. IRCICA Director General briefed the audience on IRCICA’s activities in the field of arts, particularly Islamic calligraphy. A short documentary film on the Center’s activities was screened; then, the Director General guided the Ministers, Mr. Dirieh and Dr. Assoweh through the displays, giving information on the calligraphic styles covered in the competitions and other features of the artworks. Guests from diplomatic and cultural circles attended the opening of the exhibition.
In the morning of the same day, Director General Prof. Mahmud Erol Kılıç made a series of official contacts with members of the Government of Djibouti. Following a visit to Ambassador Mr. Cenk Uraz at the Embassy of Türkiye, the Director General, accompanied by Ambassador Uraz, and by the chief of IRCICA’s Art Section Mr. Said Kasımoğlu, were received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, as well as the Minister of Commerce and Tourism Mr. Mohamed Warsama Dirieh; and the Minister of Youth and Culture of the Republic of Djibouti Dr. Hibo Moumin Assoweh, in their respective offices. The Centre’s activities were introduced, samples of IRCICA’s publications were offered, and possibilities for cooperation were discussed.
