Master Architect, artist and archeologist. He was born
in Istanbul in 1921. He is the husband of retired teacher and artist Nurdan
Beken. He graduated from Galatasaray High School (1942), Mimar Sinan University
(State Fine Arts Academy) Master Architect Department (1948), Istanbul
University Faculty of literature Archeology Department, Municipality
Conservatoire Violin Department. He also had a Ph.D. and had art lessons in
Prof. Léopal Levy workshop, who was one of the founders of DGSA. He worked as architect and lecturer in
Istanbul University and Ankara Engineering-Architect Academy. He participated
in excavations at Side-Perge, at “Beyce Sultan” (Denizli), at “Karahöyük”
(Ankara), and at Tarsus where St. Paul lived in.
Dr. Beken also worked in restoration works of Mevlâna
Shrine (Konya), Kızkulesi (Alanya), Tophane-i Âmire (Istanbul) Topkapı Palace
(Istanbul), Late Roman Era Agora Hamam (Transformation in to Side Museum),
“Subaşı House” (Side House) in person. He opened twenty exhibitions titled
“Evaluation, Introduce and Carrying of Common Heritage of Humanity to the
Future” both in domestic and foreign countries.
He contributed to Prof. Arif Müfit Mansel’s
book on Side and he prepared the archeological map of Side (1968). This book
was also translated in to German with the title “Die Rulenen Fon Side”. He wrote chapters for the book Efesos (1958)
and his articles were published in newspapers. He prepared reports about
preserving cultural heritage to Culture and Tourism Ministry. He made speeches
in TRT Istanbul, Ankara Radios and televisions between 1969s and 1990s about
preserving cultural heritage. His book “Ephesos – The Grories of Ephesos”
(1967) was published. He is a member of “National – International Icomos – MTR”.
He received a medal from Vatican government for his works on saving-protecting,
evaluating and introducing the common cultural heritage of humanity.
REFERENCE:
Bilgin Peremeci / “Side Akuarelleri” Sergisi (Akşam, 10.1.1962), Sadık Göksu /
İstanbul’da Bir Sergi (Öncü, 12.1.1962), İlber Ortaylı / Başarılı Bir Sergi
(Vatan, 1.12.1968), Anatolia the Erodle of
Civilisation (New Spot, 1.4.1983), İhsan Işık (TEKAA, 2009).
