British historian Hughes' documentary "The Ancient Origins of Türkiye" was shown in London

The screening, held at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in London, was attended by Hughes, as well as Türkiye's Ambassador to London Osman Koray Ertaş, Turkish Embassy in London Communications Counselor Büşra Karaduman Aktuna, and a large audience.

Speaking at the opening, Ambassador Ertaş stated that Anatolia has hosted different civilizations throughout history and that this depth is impressively reflected in the documentary.

"With its heritage stretching from the Hittites to the Phrygians, from the Romans to the Seljuks and Ottomans, Anatolia has been a bridge connecting not only continents but also ideas, beliefs, and cultures. These lands tell stories of abundance, love, and compassion," Ertaş said, noting that Türkiye attracts visitors from around the world not only with its natural beauty but also with its cultural richness and historical heritage.

Ertaş emphasized that it is no coincidence that Türkiye is the world's fourth largest tourism destination, saying that approximately 4.5 million Britons visited Türkiye in 2024.

Ertaş thanked renowned historian and documentarian Bettany Hughes and the Presidential Directorate of Communications for their contributions to the organization of the event.

Following Ambassador Ertaş's speech, sections from the documentary were shown in a panel moderated by TRT World anchor Maria Ramos.

Sharing his experiences related to sections from the documentary, Hughes explained that he first went to Türkiye 40 years ago, at the age of 18, and hitchhiked around Anatolia for eight weeks.

Hughes, noting that he was deeply moved by the sunrise view in Ephesus, said, "I suddenly understood the story of the world, how deep this story was, and how cultures came together. That was the moment I decided what I wanted to do in life. I was going to be an academic and a professional historian. This journey changed my life."

Explaining that he was very impressed by the hospitality he received during his visit to a nomadic family, Hughes was also shown sections from his visit to the home of a retired worker named İbrahim, who was working on the excavation of the ancient city of Aphrodisias in Aydın.

The screening also included sections from the documentary shot in the ancient cities of Pergamum, Sagalassos, and Gordion, in addition to Aphrodisias.

Speaking at the end of the screening, Büşra Karaduman Aktuna, Communications Counselor at the Embassy in London, thanked Ambassador Ertaş, the Presidential Directorate of Communications, Hughes, and the audience.

Aktuna, noting that Hughes handled history with grace and passion, said, "For us, this event is not just a film screening; it's also a moment of shared discovery. Being here with such a distinguished audience, brought together by curiosity and appreciation, reminds us of the power of storytelling to unite us across time and space."

Aktuna stated that it was a very special feeling to discover Türkiye's riches and cultural heritage together.