The International Balkan University is hosting a symposium, panel, and tour program titled “The Power That Raises a Voice: Yahya Kemal on the 140th Anniversary of His Birth” (Bir Ses Yaratan Kudret: Doğumunun 140. Yılında Yahya Kemal) on May 30-31.

The opening ceremony of the symposium was held today at the Conference Hall at the IBU Campus.

In the opening session, the chairman of the organizing committee Prof. Dr. Mehmet Samsakçı; the Acting Director of the Yunus Emre Institute in Skopje Talip Erdoğan; the Education Counselor of the Turkish Embassy in Skopje Prof. Dr. Orhan Kurtoğlu; the President of the Köprü Association Hüsrev Emin; the President of the Istanbul Conquest Society Prof. Dr. Mehmet Karpuzcu; and the Rector of the International Balkan University Prof. Dr. Lutfi Sunar each gave a speech honoring the literary and cultural legacy of Yahya Kemal.

Following the opening speeches, a recitation and choreography of Yahya Kemal's poems, prepared by the young members of the Köprü Association, was presented. This event aims to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the famous poet's birth.

IBU organizes this symposium with the support of Yunus Emre Institute, Yahya Kemal Institute, and Köprü Association.

Over the two-day symposium, the literary and cultural traces of Yahya Kemal in his birthplace will be studied in depth. In addition, comprehensive presentations and panels on the poet's life, his works, and the socio-cultural structure of the period will be organized.