Istanbul Tulip to Color Turkey’s Embassy Garden in The Hague
Istanbul Tulip Returns to Turkey with the Help of Dutch-Turkish Vice President of World Tulip Association
The Istanbul Tulip, a rare and special species of tulip with unique colors and patterns, has made its way back to Turkey thanks to the efforts of İbo Gülsen, Vice President of the World Tulip Association. Gülsen, whose father is Turkish and mother is Dutch, played a crucial role in bringing this distinct tulip species back to Turkey and introducing it to producers.
Gülsen, who is also a tulip researcher, tracked down and propagated the rare Istanbul Tulip planted in some villages in the Netherlands. As a gesture of goodwill, she gifted some tulip bulbs to Turkey’s Embassy in The Hague on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, and planted the last 100 tulip bulbs in her possession in the garden of the embassy alongside Hague Ambassador Selçuk Ünal.
Expressing his happiness, Ünal mentioned that seeing the Istanbul Tulip in the garden of the embassy was a special and touching moment. He also highlighted the symbolism of the tulip as a representation of friendship between Turkey and the Netherlands, and expressed his gratitude to Gülsen for her thoughtful gesture.
The Istanbul Tulip, which has a very different appearance from the classical bowl-shaped tulip commonly encountered today and is known for its various depictions in traditional works from ceramics to textiles, has a significant historical and cultural value. Tulip cultivation began in Ottoman gardens in the 16th century, and the first tulips were taken to Europe and the Netherlands in the late 16th century through diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire. The World Tulip Association has determined that the origin of this species, called “Tulipa Acuminata” in some countries, dates back to Ottoman gardens.
The Istanbul Tulip has come to life again in the garden of the embassy, and it is expected to bloom in 2024, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between Turkey and the Netherlands. As a symbol of Turkish-Dutch friendship, the Istanbul Tulip is set to witness the continuation of this special bond between the two countries. Thanks to Gülsen’s efforts, the Istanbul Tulip has been reunited with both the homeland of the tulip and the paternal homeland of her family, marking a significant moment of cultural and historical importance.
