A Journey Through History on Women’s Day with BTKD

The British Turkish Women’s Association (BTKD) celebrated International Women’s Day with a special event in London.

Held at Ishtar,  the event featured cultural researcher Nur Başnur, who gave an insightful talk on the evolution and cultural significance of the spoon, a utensil with a history dating back 15,000 years.

The event was attended by BTKD Honorary President Sefire Sevcan Ertaş (wife of Turkey’s Ambassador to London, Osman Koray Ertaş), Embassy Undersecretaries Elvan Hacıefendioğlu and Aslı Yılmaz, Consul Oğuzhan Gönültaş, TRNC Deputy Consul Esma Eroğlu, Çanakkale Remembrance Platform President Servet Hassan, and many other distinguished guests.

Hosted by BTKD President Maviş Fuchs and board members Burcu Kostem, Özlem Bedeş, and Dr. Ebru Beyazıt, the event began with a speech by President Fuchs, who welcomed guests and highlighted the significance of the day.

“Women’s Equal and Active Participation is Essential”

In her speech, Honorary President Sefire Sevcan Ertaş emphasized that women play vital roles in all aspects of life, from family and business to arts and politics. She praised Turkish women in London for their inspiring contributions in science, economy, arts, and civil society.

Ertaş underlined that a truly fair and inclusive society can only be achieved through women’s equal and active participation. She paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, for his revolutionary steps toward women’s rights and social equality, stating: “I commemorate Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with respect and gratitude for the groundbreaking steps he took for women’s rights and social equality. We will continue to work together to ensure that women attain the positions they rightfully deserve. I also congratulate BTKD’s leadership and wish them continued success.”

The Archaeology of the Spoon in Anatolia

Cultural researcher Nur Başnur, a graduate of Middle East Technical University and Hacettepe University, gave a slideshow presentation on the historical evolution of the spoon.

Başnur noted that the spoon is an important cultural element in Turkish history, yet there is no comprehensive written work on the subject. She provided fascinating insights into the ritualistic spoons of the Paleolithic era, the metal spoons of the Ottoman palace, and the various wooden spoons used in Anatolia.

Başnur’s talk, rich in archaeological and cultural insights, captivated the audience and was met with great enthusiasm.