Troy. City, Homer and Turkey

There is no other city that inspires the imagination as Troy does. There is something magical, something mythical, something fascinating about Troy. From 7 December 2012 to 5 May 2013, the Allard Pierson Museum - the archaeology museum of the University of Amsterdam - is presenting the exhibition  Troy. City, Homer and Turkey. The exhibition reveals Troy's many characteristics and offers the latest perspectives on the city. With more than 300 artefacts on loan from within the country and abroad; never before in the Netherlands have so many outstanding archaeological and cultural historical artefacts from  and about Troy been on display in one exhibition. This exhibition is sure to be a spectacular conclusion to the celebrations marking 400 years of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Netherlands.

Troy. City, Homer and Turkey recounts the stories of Troy and reveals how the meaning of the city is in a constant state of flux. Wherever the legendary name of Troy is heard there is controversy and conflict. Troy is also the city itself, where excavations have revealed 5,000 years of history and where so many people, countries and cultures have left their mark.

The exhibition Troy. City, Homer and Turkey presents a historical reflection of the city from various points of view - from the city itself, from the poet Homer and from different cultures and countries. The many myths that developed about Troy over time act like a thread running through the exhibition. The large marble head of Zeus from the Archaeological Museum in Istanbul is a highlight. The reception of the history of Troy by various cultures and Turkish culture during the 19th and 20th centuries forms a major part of the exhibition. A selection of items from the Ottoman archives, including photographs of Atatürk at Troy and the excavation permit issued to Schliemann, reveal Homeric Troy's relevance to Turkey.

A book of the same name has been published as companion to the exhibition. In addition, there is an extensive programme of activities, including lectures, courses, educational material for secondary education and Troy trips to Turkey. Further information is available at www.troyinamsterdam.nl

This exhibition has been made possible thanks to the Mondriaan Fonds, SNS Reaalfonds, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, VSBfonds, STSV SEZER TANSUĞ SANAT VAKFI Foundation, 400 jaar Nederland Turkije (400 years Netherlands Turkey), the Turkish Tourism Office, Corendon Airlines, Hogiaf, Agiaf and the Association of Friends of the Allard Pierson Museum.