Civilization, Art, and Tradition (Not Carrying the Past, but Building the Future)
· Halil ETYEMEZ
Last week, in our Erdemli Managers Academy (EYAD) Book Discussion Group, our esteemed colleague Harun Çakır presented Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten's work titled Tradition, Art, and Civilization. Following the presentation, we had the opportunity to discuss the book from various perspectives.
Last week, in our Erdemli Managers Academy (EYAD) Book Discussion Group, our esteemed colleague Harun Çakır presented Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten's work titled Tradition, Art, and Civilization. Following the presentation, we had the opportunity to discuss the book from various perspectives.
I also participated in the discussions after reading the book. As I progressed through the book, I realized more profoundly that it was not merely a work on art or tradition; it was, in fact, an accounting of civilization.
Today, we talk most about technology, economy, and urbanization. However, all of these are products of a deeper conception of civilization. Civilization first establishes how humans make sense of the world; then it shapes their cities, institutions, art, and lifestyles.
One of Sadettin Ökten's most significant contributions is redirecting our attention to this point.
I believe the following observation from the book deserves special emphasis:
'Every understanding of civilization nurtures its people within its own horizon and world. Society expresses itself through its art; the path to both existing in the present and continuing into the future also passes through art.'
This sentence is essentially the core of the book.
Because art is often seen merely as an aesthetic activity. However, according to Ökten, art is the language through which a civilization expresses itself. Just as humans convey their thoughts with words, civilization conveys its soul through art.
Today, when we look at our cities, architecture, music, literature, and daily lives, what civilization's conception do we see traces of? This question is important not only for artists but for all of us.
One of the striking aspects of the book is its redefinition of the concept of 'tradition.' Today, tradition is often understood as repeating the past exactly as it was. However, the author offers a perspective far beyond this.
He states:
'At first glance, tradition appears to have a formal nature. However, it should not be forgotten that behind every tradition lies a systematic value that gives it life, shapes it, and makes it meaningful.'
This approach is extremely important, in my opinion.
Because tradition is not a reflex to preserve the old, but a responsibility to carry the essence into the future.
Forms can change.
Tools can change.
Styles can change.
But as long as the values live, civilization continues to live.
Another point that caught my attention in the book is the understanding of beauty.
In the modern world, beauty is often seen as aesthetic pleasure or luxury. However, Sadettin Ökten considers the human orientation towards beauty as an inseparable part of existence.
The following statements are among the best examples of this:
'The perception of the age and the understanding of beauty change over time, but humanity's compulsion towards absolute beauty never does.'
Indeed, humans mature not only through knowledge but also through beauty.
The aesthetics of cities…
The language of architecture…
The subtlety of music…
The depth of poetry…
The elegance of calligraphy and illumination…
All of these are the veins that nourish the soul of a civilization.
The evaluations at the beginning of the book, made through classical poetry, urban culture, and traditional arts via Yahya Kemal, also open important horizons for the reader. Especially his observations that identity should be nourished by historical memory and civilizational accumulation are worth pondering at length.
In my opinion, this work is not a call for nostalgic longing for the past. On the contrary, it shows that a civilization that can move forward by drawing from its roots is possible.
Our task today is not to imitate the past, but to reproduce the wisdom carried by the past in the language of the present.
Because civilization can only survive with living values.
And art is the most powerful interpreter of those values.
On this occasion, I thank our esteemed colleague Harun Çakır for meticulously presenting the book and creating a fertile ground for discussion, and all the EYAD Book Discussion Group members who contributed; I congratulate Prof. Dr. Sadettin Ökten for this horizon-opening work.
Today, more than ever, we need to rethink our civilization, re-produce our art, and correctly understand our tradition.
May you be entrusted to God. Forgive me my shortcomings.