Ankara Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Ankara Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum is an institution that adopts applied and participatory exhibition methods for the preservation, revitalization and transmission of intangible cultural heritage to future generations. Established through the research efforts of the Turkish Folklore faculty at Gazi University and with financial support from the Ankara Development Agency, the museum opened to the public on 15 June 2013. It holds the distinction of being the first museum of its kind established in Türkiye. The museum is located in the Hamamönü neighborhood of the Altındağ district in Ankara.

Ankara Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum (museums)

Historical Development and Institutional Structure

The establishment of the museum is a result of growing awareness and academic activity in Türkiye following the adoption by UNESCO on 17 October 2003 of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The first academic discussions on museumizing intangible cultural heritage in Türkiye began with symposia organized by the Gazi University Application and Research Center for Turkish Folklore (THBMER) in 2002 and 2004. This process culminated in 2005 with the founding of Türkiye’s first intangible cultural heritage museum, the Gazi University Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum.

The Ankara Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum was established as a continuation of this legacy, specifically to carry out THBMER’s application and revitalization activities. During its establishment, in addition to Gazi University and the Ankara Development Agency, the Altındağ Municipality supported the project by allocating a historic mansion in Hamamönü for the museum. Professor Dr. M. Öcal Oğuz contributed to the process with his expertise in museology and folklore as founding chairperson. The museum continues its operations under the affiliation of THBMER.

Goals and Theoretical Framework

The museum derives its primary motivation from the aim of protecting intangible cultural heritage from the threat of disappearance and ensuring its sustainability. In line with this, it adopts an approach that moves beyond the traditional museum model of displaying objects in vitrines, instead emphasizing the living practice of cultural heritage within its context and encouraging active visitor participation. This approach aligns with UNESCO’s 2003 convention principle of “safeguarding through practice”.

Play Room (Ankara Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

The museum’s objectives include:

• Identifying Ankara’s cultural values through field research and translating this data into practical museum models.

• Reviving intangible cultural heritage through practical applications and ensuring its transmission from one generation to the next.

• Transforming visitors from passive observers into active participants in the process of cultural heritage transmission.

• Functioning as an informal learning environment to raise awareness of cultural heritage among younger generations.

Museum Sections and Activities

The museum consists of thematic rooms representing different domains of intangible cultural heritage. In these rooms, cultural elements collected through field research from Ankara and its surroundings are presented through live performances and workshop activities.

The museum’s sections and the activities conducted within them are as follows:

• Workshop Rooms: Practical workshops are offered in traditional crafts such as ebru art and ıhlamur printing. This section also includes a stage where Karagöz-Hacivat shadow puppetry and puppet shows are performed.

• Fairy Tale Room: A space dedicated to the narration of folktales, folk stories, maniler and lullabies from the Ankara region.

• Conversation Room: A section where traditional social gatherings are reenacted and folk stories are told.

• Bridal Room: A room that presents traditions related to life transitions such as birth and wedding ceremonies (including symbolic henna nights, tooth-giving rituals and soldier henna ceremonies). The concept of this room is periodically updated.

• Play Room: Designed as a space where traditional children’s games are played.

Regular performances of traditional Turkish theater forms such as Karagöz-Hacivat, orta oyunu, meddah and village theatrical performances are held at the museum.

Traditional Room (Ankara Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Educational Approach

In line with its founding objectives, the Ankara Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum also functions as an educational center. One of its primary target audiences is primary school student groups. Educational programs are based on an active and participatory process in which children and young people learn through seeing, hearing and touching.

The educational methods applied at the museum and their developmental benefits include:

• Applied Workshops: Workshops in ebru, ıhlamur printing, cloth doll-making or spoon puppet-making help children develop manual dexterity, aesthetic perception and creativity.

• Oral Narratives: Storytelling, riddles and tongue twister activities support the development of children’s language and communication skills, imagination and listening abilities.

• Traditional Games: Traditional games such as ashik atma, top spinning and seksek contribute to the development of children’s physical and motor skills as well as cognitive abilities including problem solving, decision making and rule following.

• Drama and Reenactment: Children are encouraged to participate in activities such as Karagöz performances, fostering creativity, empathy and self-expression.

Through these activities, the museum aims to provide an experiential and lasting learning environment rather than a didactic one.

Visit Information

• Address: Talatpaşa Boulevard, Öz Street, Altındağ, Ankara.
• Opening Hours: Open daily from 09:00 to 17:00, except on Mondays.
• Admission Fee: Free entry.