Akbank Karagöz and Puppet Theater's master TACETTİN DİKER has received UNESCO's "Living Human Treasures" award.
Ministry of Culture and Tourism has determined seven artists and craftsmen as "Living Human Treasures".
Tacettin Diker, the 87 year-old grandmaster who has been performing the Akbank Karagöz and Puppet Show for 37 years, Aşık Şeref Taşlıova, Karagöz artists Metin Özlen and Orhan Kurt, Hayri Dev-the executive producer of Çam Düdüğü, felt craftsmen Mehmet Girgiç and china craftsmen Sıtkı Olçar has been awarded 2008's "Living Human Treasure".
"Intangible Culture Heritage Protection Agreement" acknowledged by UNESCO in 2003 and adopted by Turkey in 2003, has determined 7 artists and craftsmen who are able to re-create certain cultural heritage elements and interpret them with necessary knowledge and high levels of skill.
"Intangible Culture Heritage" activities have been carried out by Ministry of Culture and Tourism Research and Education General Directorate and the names for the receivers of the award have been determined in accordance with measures such as; at least 10 years of mastership, learned the art by master-apprentice relationship, carries out knowledge and high levels of skill, knowledge in a rarely practiced subject, leads and improves a group decided to his/her work as well as transferring knowledge to the members of the group.
Tacettin Diker has received his plaque at Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center on January 14th, 2010.
