Minister Ersoy: Diyarbakır Museum to Be a 24-Hour Living Science Hub

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy inspected the ongoing works at the Diyarbakır Memory Museum and Cultural Center on site. In a statement regarding the project, Minister Ersoy said, "When the project is completed, it will be a 24-hour living space, used not only as a memory museum but also as a science hub."

Minister Ersoy stated that the project began with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's announcement during his visit to Diyarbakır in July 2021, regarding the transformation of Diyarbakır Prison into a memory museum and cultural center. Ersoy drew attention to the importance of conveying to new generations the negative impacts on society of the junta administration suspending democracy after the 1980 coup, and noted that this structure was conceived as a historical center that would explain how democracy develops countries and societies.

Within the scope of the project, which began with President Erdoğan's announcement, the Ministry of Justice completed the process of transferring convicts to other correctional facilities. At a ceremony held in October 2022, the building's door was symbolically locked, and ownership was transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Ersoy stated that as a ministry, they declared the area a first-degree registered protected structure at the end of 2022, and that construction work began in 2024 after the restoration and survey projects prepared by the board were approved.

Ersoy noted that the reinforcement works for the structures to be protected were completed in 2025. Ersoy stated that later additions were removed, and roof, electrical, and mechanical arrangements were completed, adding that display and arrangement works have now begun. Ersoy provided information that a comprehensive advisory board was formed during the process of creating the Memory Museum's concept, and noted that the board worked by utilizing period witnesses, representatives of non-governmental organizations, historians, academics, and archives. Furthermore, Ersoy stated that regular field meetings were held with male and female prisoners from that period, and that the project was finalized based on the findings obtained.

Minister Ersoy conveyed that the first three blocks will be used as the Memory Museum and a multi-purpose exhibition hall, while the other two blocks will house a large library. Ersoy announced that in the project established on a 47-decare area, 18,500 square meters will be utilized as a memory museum and library, and noted that a small cafeteria will also be located there. He also stated that the area previously used as a sports hall will serve theater and fine arts events as a multi-purpose hall with a capacity of 520 people.

Ersoy stated that extensive landscaping arrangements have been made in the outdoor areas, and emphasized that when completed, the center, planned to accommodate outdoor events, will not be merely a memory museum. Minister Ersoy used the expression, "When the project is completed, it will be a 24-hour living, multi-purpose cultural center that will be used not only as a memory museum but also as a science hub, and will also host both outdoor and indoor events, opening for the use of our citizens, especially the people of Diyarbakır."

Minister Ersoy stated that the work has reached its final stage, and announced that the electrical and mechanical arrangements have been finalized. He reported that the center is planned to open in the first half of 2027, following the completion of display and arrangement works. Ersoy emphasized that such structures are very important for preserving history and transmitting knowledge to future generations by learning lessons from the past, and underlined that the structure will not be merely a museum recounting the past. Ersoy pointed out the importance of new generations becoming aware of what happened during that period, and made the assessment, "We are creating a memory museum that will address the grievances of those who suffered during that period, a memory museum that will show them they are not forgotten." Ersoy stated that the center will also transform into a cultural center that meets the city's needs, and used the expression, "I also find it important as a center that explains how the wrongs of that time were turned into good and used for good purposes."

AK Party Diyarbakır Deputy Mehmet Galip Ensarioğlu, for his part, recalled that he himself had been imprisoned in this facility approximately 40 years ago. He noted that he saw the ongoing works on site and that the structure was being transformed in accordance with its original form. Ensarioğlu stated that the center, on one hand, will be a memory museum recounting the damages inflicted upon the country and nation during coup periods, and on the other hand, with its exhibition halls, theater and conference halls, libraries, cafeteria, and social areas, it will transform into an important cultural center for Diyarbakır. Ensarioğlu conveyed that the center will be put into the service of the people of Diyarbakır, and added that he believes the value of democracy will be better understood by learning lessons from the suffering experienced, and that together, more beautiful tomorrows will be built.