“TALISMANIC SHIRTS” AGAINST VIOLENCE ARE AT BUCA

Talismanic shirts are on display against violence. The talismanic shirts, co-created by Prof. Dr. Elvan Özkavruk Adanır, Head of Fashion and Textile Design, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Izmir University of Economics, and Lecturer Jovita Sakalauskaite Kurnaz are being exhibited at Buca Municipality Culture and Art Center. 20 talismanic shirts are created out of white shirts donated by 65 women from Turkey and Lithuania. The exhibition will stay open until January 29.

Levent Piriştina, Mayor of Buca, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Esen, IUE Rector, Prof. Dr. Ender Yazgan Bulgun, Dean of IUE Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Prof. Dr. Elvan Özkavruk Adanır, Head of IUE Department of Fashion and Textile Design, Lecturer Jovita Sakalauskaite Kurnaz, and many guests attended the opening of the exhibition of talismanic shirts which are believed to protect wearers against diseases, enemies, dangers, and healed the sick in pre-Islamic times in Turkish tradition.

Prof. Dr. Adanır, who gave information about the exhibition, said that they were very impressed by the talismanic shirts being displayed at Topkapı Palace Museum, and she and Kurnaz wanted to create this project in order to raise awareness about women who are subject to violence. Prof. Dr. Adanır said, “Certain rules are followed while spinning yarns, weaving fabrics, and engraving the talismans. We also abode by those rules while creating our talismanic shirts. We cut them down first, inscribed them, and then knitted them again.”

Prof. Dr. Adanır stated that they prepared the exhibition to help and support fellow women, and 65 women from Izmir, Istanbul, Antalya, Hatay, and Vilnius supported the project with their white shirts. She said that 20 shirts were on display with inscriptions about child brides, their cries, prayers, songs, statistics about violence the women in Turkey, Lithuania, and all around the world is subject to.

‘Talismanic Shirts Deserve Publicity’

Mayor Levent Piriştina also stated that they would always support the fight against violence against women. He said, “This exhibition about victimization of women is very significant. It deserves good publicity. We, as the Buca Municipality, will make sure that many visitors, including men, come and visit this exhibition.”

‘Meaningful Exhibition’

IUE Rector Prof. Dr. Oğuz Esen indicated that each design reflected a current issue and created awareness about it. “We are displaying violence against women, a major issue of our country presently, with a very meaningful exhibition. Izmir University of Economics will continue with social awareness projects with its academicians and students,” said Prof. Dr. Esen.