The III. Sardes Money Congress, themed "Monetary and Fiscal Policies Under Inflationary Pressure," was held in the Roman-era Gymnasium building in ancient Sardes (Sart), the capital of the Lydian Kingdom, known for being the first civilization to mint money.

The event was attended by Salihli District Governor Ali Güldoğan, District Gendarmerie Commander J. Bnb. Doğukan Karaaslan, Manisa Celal Bayar University Vice-Rector and Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Çetin, Salihli Mayor Mazlum Nurlu, academics, and guests.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence followed by the National Anthem, and a performance by the Lidya Art Sports Club Folk Dance Group captivated the audience.

Mayor Mazlum Nurlu remarked, “The Lydians discovered money 2,600 years ago in this land. It is our responsibility to protect and promote this historical heritage. Our country has long been under the weight of inflation. The way out of this difficult process is to adopt rational and disciplined economic approaches based on scientific data. We will continue to work to elevate this event to a global value.”

Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Çetin emphasized that Sardes is not only a historical center but also one of the places where money was first minted. He stated, “The coins minted here in ancient times not only facilitated the development of trade but also shaped the dynamics of economic relations. This rich past deepens the significance of our congress, providing an important framework for understanding the historical evolution of monetary and fiscal policies.

Today, inflation has become an issue that profoundly affects societies and threatens economic stability. In this context, the importance of monetary and fiscal policies increases even more. I believe that the discussions we hold today will provide new perspectives for both the academic world and policymakers, contributing to the development of solutions.”

District Governor Ali Güldoğan noted, “The invention of money played a key role in the formation of the modern economic order. It marks a significant development point in human advancement, and money continues to be a powerful force that shapes societies. I would like to thank all the institutions and organizations that contributed to the regular organization and completion of this congress.”

Dr. Gencay Öztürk, representing the Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate, spoke about the importance of ongoing archaeological excavations. Guest speaker Altan Taşkıran, Deputy General Manager of Halkbank, said, “Like all nations after the pandemic, our country is going through tough times. In efforts to reduce inflation, we must avoid wasteful spending. We should increase export revenues and reduce import inputs. This should not be solely prevented by the government; we must act together as citizens.”

The opening program concluded with the presentation of plaques to contributors and speakers, followed by a group photo of guests after they minted replica ancient coins.

The congress aims to shed light on the country's current economic issues from a scientific perspective, with academics and economic experts presenting solutions on critical topics such as inflation, effective resource allocation, and full employment.