Turkish Embassy, Yeongdeungpo team up to renovate Seoul's Turkish Traditional Vineyard House

Turkish Ambassador to Korea Murat Tamer, right, poses with Choi Ho-kwon, mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, at the Embassy of Turkey, Tuesday, after signing a cooperation agreement for renovating and managing the Turkish Traditional Vineyard House located in Ankara Park in Seoul. Courtesy of Embassy of Turkey in Seoul

The Embassy of Turkey in Seoul and the Yeongdeungpo District Office signed an agreement to collaborate on renovating and managing the Turkish Traditional Vineyard House located in Ankara Park in Seoul on Tuesday.

The protocol outlines collaborative efforts in the renewal, maintenance and operation of the Turkish House and its surroundings, aiming to enhance cultural ties between Korea and Turkey. Both parties will work together to organize events at the venue to foster social and cultural interactions between Korean and Turkish communities.

"Ankara and Seoul became sister cities in 1971, and a park named after Turkey's capital city was created to commemorate this alliance," a Turkish Embassy official said.

"In 1992, a building resembling a traditional Turkish vineyard was constructed within the park. Shortly thereafter, the City of Ankara donated various traditional folk items and decorated the interior of the building, which opened as Ankara House in 1995," the official added.

"The exhibits at Ankara House include everyday items such as furniture, kitchenware, farming equipment and other daily tools and utensils used in a Turkish vineyard in Ankara."

The signing ceremony was held at the Turkish Embassy in Seoul, which was attended by officials from the embassy and the district office as well as those from Korean academia and the media.