The Effectiveness of Provincial Administrative Authorities in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The Case of the District Governorships of Malazgirt and Ahlat

As societies experience the present and envision the future, they draw inspiration from the legacy left by their ancestors. The preservation of values defined as cultural heritage, which constitute a form of collective memory, is therefore of significant importance. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of provincial administrative authorities (key institutions within the Turkish administrative system) in safeguarding cultural heritage. To this end, the district governorships of Malazgirt and Ahlat, two localities of critical importance in Turkish history due to the Battle of Malazgirt, were selected as the research sites. The study employed case study design, one of the qualitative research methods. Findings indicate that the provincial administrative authorities in Malazgirt and Ahlat are not sufficiently effective in preserving cultural heritage, and that achieving the desired outcomes requires addressing deficiencies related to budget, equipment, and qualified personnel, among others.