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Displays Traces Of An
Era In Turkish Politics
was seen that museums served in many different ways apart from the protection function
(Doğan, 2013).
It is difficult to make a classification since the types of museums are highly detailed.
Sezgin and Karaman classified the museums according to their collections, the institutions
they are attached, their service areas, the places where collections are exhibited and their
functions (Sezgin & Karaman, 2009). Süleyman Demirel Democracy and Development
Museum, which is the subject of our research, is considered as a private museum because of
the institution that the museum is attached ( Picture 1, Picture 2).
Picture 1
.
. Entrance to the Museum
Picture 2. Entrance to the Museum
Private Museums are the museums where the management of collections is done by private
individuals. However, it can be supervised by government agencies. The first museum was
established on behalf of Sadberk Han m in this regard in Turkey in 1980 and this number has
increased with each passing day (Sezgin & Karaman, 2009). The Democracy and
Development Museum, which sheds light on 50 years of Turkish politics, will also be
examined in this context. It is worth to mention the life of Süleyman Demirel briefly.
2.
The Life of Süleyman Demirel
Süleyman Demirel was born on November 1, 1924, in İslamköy of Atabey district of Isparta
city. Demirel graduated from the Civil Engineering Department of İstanbul Technical
University in February 1949. Demirel specialized in dams, irrigation and electrification in the
United States.He became the General Director of State Hydraulic Works in 1955
(http://www.milliyet.com.tr). Süleyman Demirel resumed his political life with his
membership to General Administrative Board of Justice Party in 1962. He was elected
President on November 28, 1964. Demirel's Justice Party came to power alone with 53
percent in the general election on October 10, 1965. Demirel entered the Turkish Grand
National Assembly as the Isparta deputy and formed the 13th government as the Prime
Minister. Demirel's Justice Party came to power alone again in the general election on
October 10, 1969. Demirel formed the 14th and 15th governments. He resigned from his
position due to 12 March 1971 memorandum.
He formed the government in 1975, 1977 and 1979. He left his position due to the military
intervention of 12 September 1980 and he was banned from politics for seven years. The bans
were removed with the referendum held on September 6, 1987 and he was chosen as the
General Director of True Path Party on September 24, 1987. He got to the GNAT again with
the general elections held on November 29, 1987. After October 20, 1991 general elections,
Demirel became the Prime Minister of the coalition founded by True Path Party and Social
136
Muharrem Zafer Çağlar, Nedret
Çağlar
Democratic Populist Part. He was elected as the 9th President of Turkey by Turkish Grand
National Assembly on May 16, 1993.
He had continued in Presidency for 7 years until May
16, 2000 (TCCB, 2016). Demirel was banned from politics for 7 years; he left the government
for 6 times and he formed the government for seven times throughout his political life.
3.
Süleyman Demirel Democracy and Development Museum
Having been named after Süleyman Demirel, the 9
th
President of Turkish Republic, and
established in Isparta, İslamköy where Süleyman Demirel was born, the Democracy and
Development Museum sheds light on 50 years of Turkish politics. Democracy and
Development Museum, having been established in Isparta, İslamköy on October 26, 2014
where Süleyman Demirel was born (He passed away on June 17, 2015), is the first far-
reaching museum that was opened up in a village in Turkey. This village museum is located
inside the complex established on behalf of Demirel. Occupying 17.000 m2 area, the complex
consists of a private archive, information and documentation center, Süleyman Demirel
University Leadership Research and Application Center, the father's house, Şehriban Hatun
mosque, fountain, barn, stable, meeting rooms, Demirel Foundation, the sales center,
cafeteria, mortuary, Namazgah, village hall, a heliport and cemetery. Additionally, it contains
monument area in Çalcatepe where Demirel's mausoleum will be established (Turgut, 2014;
Siviloğlu, 2016).
Picture 3. Appearance of the Complex
Picture 4. Demirel Statue and Pool
All the buildings inside the complex were built by Süleyman Demirel's brother, Şevket
Demirel. Construction began in 1994. The buildings were constructed in accordance with
Seljuk and Ottoman architectural style. The architectural project of the museum was
created by Yusuf Ziya Günayd n and it was applied by Behruz Çinici and Şevket
Demirel. The houses neighboring Father's House were purchased and added to the
complex. These historic houses were restored in accordance with the authentic structure.
They will serve as restaurant, Şevket Demirel and Ali Demirel Museum. (Siviloğlu,
2016)
Süleyman Demirel expressed in the opening of the museum that "
Süleyman Demirel
Democracy and Development Museum was the product of a claim. We can see the picture
of most important 50 years of the Republic era in the museum. In this picture, there are
national sovereignty, the Republic, equality and the challenge against poverty and
ignorance. So, what did Turkey do in these 50 years of the Republic? There are
transformation and 50 years of transition. This museum tells of democracy and