2nd Children's Workshop: Little Hearts, Big Questions – How Can We Explain Abstract Concepts to Children?Organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation Teacher Education Unit, the 2nd Children’s Workshop was held under the title “Little Hearts, Big Questions: How Can We Explain Abstract Concepts to Children?”. Educator-Author Şule Kala and Clinical Psychologist Merve Doğanlar gave presentations at the workshop.The opening speech was delivered by Hatice Neşe Çandır, a member of the Education and Teacher Unit. Emphasizing the aim of the second children’s workshop, Çandır stated: “How should we as adults respond to children's abstract questions and what kind of attitude should we adopt? We will seek answers to these questions.” After the opening speech, the results of a survey conducted within the scope of the workshop were shared. In the survey, which evaluated the answers given by families to the questions children ask, the following points were made: “Children learn concepts such as good and evil by concretizing them; they evaluate their behavior through these images. Some participants, however, believe that misusing these images may lead to fear or pressure.” The Education Unit has carried out many educational activities for children, youth, and adults. It was also announced that two upcoming workshops will be held: the “Concept Workshop” and “Discussing Islam with Youth Workshop”.The first presentation of the workshop was delivered by Educator-Author Şule Kala. She addressed how to respond to children's religious questions and provided participants with strategies for age-appropriate answers. Emphasizing the importance of nurturing children’s spiritual world, Kala said: “The answers given to children become seeds of faith. For these seeds to sprout, they need the soil of curiosity, the water of love, and the light of patience. Faith saplings can only flourish through a healthy religious education. It is important to highlight these values in conclusion.”The second presentation was delivered by Clinical Psychologist Merve Doğanlar. She explained how the concept of faith is formed and how children make sense of it. She particularly focused on the questions that children ask their parents. Doğanlar also discussed the brain-based perception of reality, sharing detailed information about the neuropsychological development of children aged 4 to 12.Following the presentations, workshop activities were conducted with the participants. The workshops were organized under four categories: Death–Afterlife, Heaven–Hell, Angels–Devil, and Good–Evil, based on questions children often ask their families. The aim was to seek answers to the questions: “What do children ask most, and how can we respond to them?”. The program concluded with the evaluation of the workshop results.Click here for the survey results of the 2nd Children's Workshop.

The second session of the Mozaik Women’s Association Tafsir Readings was held under the title “Surah Duha”. The Tafsir Readings were conducted around the following questions: “Why do we feel as if Surahs Duha and Inshirah are being revealed just now?”, “Why don't seclusion, journeys, pilgrimage, and umrah bring us back to ourselves or closer to Allah?”, “What do wealth, poverty, and orphanhood truly mean?”, “How can a mechanism be established that eliminates the need to ask?”, and “Will there be relief after hardship, light after darkness?”The next Tafsir session will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, under the title “Our Prophets Through Concepts: Prophet Musa (Moses)”.

The 19th Anatolia Meetings, organized by the Anatolia Federation between August 13 and 17, 2025, with the theme “Tüten Ocak Ailenin Geleceği” (The Future of the Family), were held at the Eliz Hotel in Kızılcahamam, Ankara. The first day of the Anatolia Meetings began with welcoming speeches. The program continued with a recitation from the Quran, followed by welcoming speeches. The first speech was delivered by Turgay Aldemir, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Anatolia Federation. This was followed by a welcoming speech by Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister of Family and Social Services. After the welcoming speeches, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Görmez delivered the opening seminar. After the opening and welcoming speeches, the Family Research Launch was held as part of the Anatolia Meetings. Following the launch, a Family Forum was held with the participants. Moderated by Atabay Çelik, the forum featured discussions on what the Anatolia Meetings mean for the participants and the importance of the concept of family.ANATOLIA MEETINGS DAY 2The first session of the second day of the Anatolia Meetings was held under the title “Family: The Genealogy of a Concept.” The session, moderated by Prof. Dr. Şeyhmus Demir, featured guests Şeref Malkoç, Prof. Dr. Muhammet Ruhat Yaşar, and Prof. Dr. Mahsum Aytepe. The discussion focused not on how the concept of family is experienced in a nostalgic sense, but on how it can shape perspectives for the future. The second day's second session was titled “The Effects of Urbanization and Architectural Structure on the Family.” Moderated by Prof. Dr. Fatih Altun, the session featured Doç. Dr. Yusuf Civelek, Dr. Öğretim Üyesi Onur Şimşek, and Dr. Öğretim Üyesi Enes Uyar as speakers. The session addressed the effects of urbanization and architectural structure on the family.The third session of the second day was held under the title “Being a Family in Big Cities.” Üner Karabıyık participated as a speaker in the session. The session discussed the effects of living in big cities on the family.ANATOLIA MEETINGS DAY 3The first session of Day 3 of the Anatolia Meetings was held under the title “The Effects of Technology and Digitalization on the Family.” The session, moderated by Prof. Dr. Nusret Akpolat, featured presentations by Dr. İpek Coşkun Armağan, Prof. Dr. Hasan Hüseyin Taylan, and Dr. Ahmet Kaplan. The session discussed various topics including the effects of technology on the family, digital addiction, privacy, and social media.The second session of the third day was titled “The Culture Industry and the Family - 1.” In the session, Prof. Dr. Zeki Bayraktar spoke on the topic of “Family and Gender Surgery: Change or Cancellation?” The definition of gender, its fundamental differences, its subcomponents, surgical operations, and psychological effects were evaluated.The third day's third session continued under the title “Culture Industry and Family - 2.” In the session, which featured a presentation by Ayşe Böhürler, the future of the family institution within the scope of the culture industry, the expectations of young people, and social transformation were discussed.The fourth and final session of the third day was held under the title “Youth and Family.” The session, moderated by Fatih Eren, featured speakers Emin Bulut, Gülsüm Çelik, Betül Üce, and Tarık Ergenç. Gülsüm Çelik delivered a speech during the session titled “Youth and Family.” Young people who were given the floor during the session evaluated the concepts of family and youth from their own perspectives.ANATOLIAN MEETINGS DAY 4The first session of Day 4 was held under the title “Religions and Family: Tradition, Modernity, and Social Transformation.” Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yayla moderated the session, with Prof. Dr. Mehmet Türkeri and Prof. Dr. Saffet Köse participating as speakers. The session discussed the impact of modernity on social transformation.The second and final session of Day 4 was held under the title “The Future of Family and Society: The Role of NGOs and Institutions.” The session, moderated by Gazi Kılıçpar, featured Prof. Dr. Nihat Erdoğmuş, Mehmet Koca, and Rabia Aldemir as speakers. The session discussed the impact of NGOs on society and the family and presented solutions.MEETINGS CONTINUED WITH INTERMEDIATE SESSIONS AND EVENTSIntermediate sessions and events held during the Anatolia Meetings included the Akadder Organization Meeting, Children's Meetings, Secondary Education Workshops, Middle School Workshops, Teacher Introduction Meeting, AÖB 19. Student Council, Akadder Get-Together Meeting, AÖB Hasbihal, AÖB Discussion Circle, AÖB Music Recital, Effective Speech Session, Akadder Special Session, Teacher Special Session, Anatolia Federation Migration Meeting, General Administration Council, Emotion Workshop, Teacher Hasbihal, AÖB Workshop, Secondary Education Performance Rehearsal, Secondary Education Youth and Search for Meaning, AÖB Evaluation, Akaddder Evaluation, and Expanded General Administration Board. The units held various special sessions with the participants. Additionally, as part of the Erasmus+ KA151 project, seminars on “Civil Society Volunteering” and “Active Citizenship,” station activities, and quizzes were held with the participation of nearly 50 young people from five countries.Following the 19th Anatolian Gatherings, gifts were presented to the volunteers who contributed to the gathering process after the evaluation session conducted by the board of directors. The program concluded with the traditional family photo.“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your interest and valuable participation in the 19th Anatolia Meetings. Your presence added meaning and strength to our gathering. We hope that the wonderful atmosphere we shared together will lead to new friendships, shared ideas, and lasting memories. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Anadolu Federation family who participated in the 19th Anadolu Gathering, to all participants who showed great interest, to the organizing teams, and to all volunteers who generously offered their support.”“Smoking Stove, The Future of the Family” 19th Anatolian Meetings VTRs

The summer activities, which began on June 30, 2025, as part of the cultural activities of the Bülbülzade Foundation, were completed on August 1, 2025. The summer program, consisting of a total of 64 activities in 23 regions, was carried out in 19 summer schools operating in 10 different regions.The Summer School was organized by the Anatolian Student Union, Education and Teaching Unit, Secondary Education, Mosaic, Home Character Education (EKE), Islahiye Earthquake Region, Migration, Stability Sports Club, Katre Science and Art Center, Science-Der, and Semt-i Ibrahimli Association, all under the umbrella of the Foundation.Additionally, 19 summer camps were organized in 11 different regions with the participation of children and their families. There were 82 participants in the central summer schools, 59 in the earthquake zone in Nurdağı and İslahiye, 40 at Bilim-Der, 40 at Semt-i İbrahimli Association, 24 at Katre Art Center, 12 at Media Academy, 585 at İstikrar Sports Summer School, 1,080 at camps, and 548 at Anatolia Cultural Centers.The programs include courses such as the Quran, Sirah, Etiquette, Basic Religious Knowledge, Philosophy for Children, STEM, Universal Signs, and English through games, as well as supportive activities such as swimming, camping, music, and sports events.Summer Schools Held;1. Foundation Center Summer School2. Katre Art and Science Center Summer School3. İstikrar Sports Club Summer School4. Bilim-Der Summer School5. Semt-İ İbrahimli Summer School6. Hayata Dokun Orphan Association Summer School7. Earthquake Region Summer School8. Syria and Gaziantep Anatolian Cultural Centers Summer SchoolSummer School Activities, August 1, 2025 The summer schools of the Bülbülzade Foundation, Earthquake Region, İstikrar Sports Club, Katre Science and Art Center, Hayata Dokun Orphan Association, Bilim-Der, and Semt-i İbrahimli Association ended with a celebration showcasing the performances of the summer school students. The summer school activities, planned within the framework of cultural and educational initiatives, will continue throughout the year.

The English Speaking Club program organized by the Center for Science Education Culture Research (BEKAM) started on 16 June 2025. The English Speaking Club, which consists of three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced, is run completely free of charge by volunteers who are experts in their fields and come to our country within the scope of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) supported by the Turkish National Agency.The English Speaking Club continues to be organized 3 days a week throughout the summer.Monday-Wednesday-Friday 10:00- 12:00 for young peopleAdult Level 1 Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday 18:00-19:00Adult 2nd Level: Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday 20:00-21:00

The Charity Bazaar and Spring Festival, organized by Bülbülzade Foundation for more than 20 years, was held in Masal Park on 29-30-31 May and 1 June 2025. The four-day festival included workshops, quiz competitions, sportive performances, music concerts, mind games, puppet shows, musical performances, musical chairs, dance performances, talks, treasure hunts, as well as local dishes and desserts prepared by the volunteers of the foundation.Events and TalksDuring the Spring Festival, Mozaik Women and Family Association, Touch Life Orphan Association and Bülbülzade Foundation's Migration, İslâhiye Earthquake Zone, Children and Secondary Education, Project, Media units, İstikrar Sports Club, Katre Art and Science Center and Pusula Bookstore opened stands to promote their units and sell various products. In addition, expert speakers shared their knowledge and experiences in various talks organized throughout the event.Fun Activities for ChildrenBülbülzade Foundation's Children and Secondary Education Unit organized many activities for children to have a joyful and fun time. Face painting, handicraft workshops, playgrounds and various competitions such as tug-of-war and musical chairs provided the little ones with pleasant moments. There were also various activities such as hand printing, draw and paint your dream, stone painting, treasure hunt and storytelling with ukulele.Gastronomy and Local ProductsDistinguished examples of gastronomy were also presented to visitors at the Spring Festival. At the stands with local products and dessert varieties, the flavors of Gaziantep region were presented to the guests. The local flavors of Gaziantep were carefully prepared with the support of the volunteer women of the foundation and the orphan mothers of the Touch Life Orphan Association.Cultural Solidarity from International VolunteersESC volunteers who volunteered at our Foundation and BEKAM actively took part in the Spring Festival booths.Joint Future MeetingAmong the meetings organized as part of the Spring Festival was the Common Future Meeting with Syrian Opinion Leaders. Syrian Opinion Leaders, doctors, lawyers and students came together at the meeting and made evaluations on the new period in Syria.See you in the coming yearsAs Bülbülzade Foundation, we would like to thank all our guests who participated in this year's Spring Festival. We are happy to host the festival, which we continue with increasing excitement every year. We hope that this event, which has witnessed moments of peace, fun and solidarity, will continue with wider participation in the coming years.We hope to meet again at the next Spring Festival.