Faruk Küçük said that after working as a leather trader in his father’s profession for more than 50 years, he handed over the business to his children about 25 years ago and started collecting Ankara-themed photographs, books and documents during this period.
Küçük emphasized that he spent about three or four flats in the meantime and became the owner of an important collection consisting of 12 thousand 500 photographs and 2 thousand 500 books, magazines and newspapers, and said:
“I can say the material value of the collection I have, but I cannot say its spiritual value. This cannot be measured with money. The original of the famous photograph in which Atatürk prayed at the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly is the most important piece of my collection. However, rare Ankara photographs from the first years of the Republic are among the most favorite pieces of my collection. .”
Special exhibition for the 100th anniversary of Ankara becoming the capital
Stating that sharing his collection made him happy and that he has opened more than 100 exhibitions to date, Küçük said:
“In the first years when I started collecting, many collectors around me did not even let their friends touch their works. This attitude bothered me. I acted differently from them. I made my collection available to everyone. I even reproduced many of the rare photographs I had and distributed them in exhibitions.”
Stating that he could not devote as much time to collecting as he used to because he was getting older, Küçük said, “My collection had many buyers, universities, municipalities and foundations. I found it appropriate to donate my collection to the Turkish Historical Society for the benefit of everyone. I am very happy with my decision.”
Reminding that Ankara was declared the capital on October 13, 1923, Küçük said that he opened an exhibition every October 13.
Küçük pointed out that this year is the 100th anniversary of Ankara becoming the capital, and announced that the exhibition consisting of rare Ankara photographs in his collection will be opened at the Turkish Historical Society on October 13.
