Volunteers of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), who gathered in Gaziantep hosted by the Bülbülzade Foundation, experienced environmental awareness in practice by maintaining the trees in Kurtuluş Forest.The Bülbülzade Foundation brought together international volunteers who came to the city through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) in nature activities. As part of social and cultural integration processes, Azerbaijani Ali Ghuliyev, Ukrainian Viktoria Kotelevets, Dutch Elisa Dijkhuis, and Bosnian Emir Fojnica participated in maintenance work in the foundation's Kurtuluş Forest. On this special day when the spring sun showed itself, the young people undertook an important responsibility for the protection of nature and the sustainability of green areas.BREATH FOR THE FUTURE FROM YOUTHDuring the maintenance work carried out to ensure the healthy growth of trees in the forest area, volunteers meticulously conducted fertilization processes. Throughout the activity, the young people learned the technical details of tree care from experts and had the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in the field. Moving away from the chaos of city life and establishing direct contact with nature, the team observed firsthand how valuable soil cultivation and every stage of production are.BROTHERHOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS TOGETHERThis solidarity displayed by different cultures for a common purpose made a great contribution to the foundation’s vision of green heritage. Emphasizing the importance of labor and effort, the activity increased the environmental sensitivity of the volunteers while strengthening the bonds of friendship among them. As the Bülbülzade Foundation, we aim to regularly continue such activities that add value to the environment and society together with our international volunteer team.

The Chairman of Bülbülzade Foundation and the delegation under his leadership visited Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin in her office and held a comprehensive meeting on joint projects to be carried out and future vision.The Bülbülzade Foundation delegation met with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin to evaluate the activities carried out at local and international levels. During the meeting, the municipality’s visionary projects in the fields of education and culture and the foundation’s plans for the upcoming period were discussed in detail. One of the main agenda items of the visit was the “Common Future Meetings” to be organized with the participation of the Metropolitan Municipality and Syrian opinion leaders. It was emphasized that the cooperation between the two institutions in this regard is of critical importance for social cohesion and regional peace. In addition, the foundation delegation provided detailed information to Mayor Şahin about the Anatolian Cultural Centers (ACC) in Syria and especially the latest situation in Aleppo.PROJECTS ARE EXPANDING TO A BROADER GROUNDThe results of the workshops successfully conducted by the Foundation’s Education and Teachers Unit were shared. Views were exchanged on the educational, cultural, artistic, sports, and media activities planned to be implemented throughout the summer season. In particular, the process related to the Kurtuluş Forest project and the camp center designed within this area was discussed. At the end of the meeting, it was decided that the international activities carried out through the Bülbülzade Foundation Project Unit would be expanded to a broader scope in cooperation with the Metropolitan Municipality. It is aimed that joint projects will accelerate the cultural and educational development of Gaziantep.

The second of the Focus Group Meetings organized by BEKAM was held at the Bülbülzade Foundation. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu attended the meeting, where the topic “Being a Family in the Metropolis” was discussed.The Center for Science, Education, Culture and Research (BEKAM) continues its Focus Group Meetings series, where it examines social issues in depth. Following the first meeting held in February, the second session took place in the Bülbülzade Foundation Meeting Hall. The program, moderated by Enes Günaslan, hosted Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu. In the event organized under the title “Being a Family in the Metropolis,” the transformative effects of modern urban life on family structure were presented to the audience through a comprehensive analysis.SPACE, POVERTY, AND NEW FAMILY TYPESIn his presentation, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ayhan Koyuncu grouped the main dynamics shaping today’s family structure under three main headings. Focusing on the “Space and Poverty Equation” emerging with urbanization, Koyuncu explained how the physical environment is reflected in intra-family relations. Stating that the cultural industry trends brought by the digital age surround the family, Koyuncu pointed out that this situation weakens traditional bonds. In the final part of the presentation, up-to-date data on “New Family Types” developing outside classical family forms were shared.HOW DOES HOME ARCHITECTURE AFFECT THE FAMILY?In the meeting, within the context of the relationship between space and family, how changing home architecture transforms the social fabric was detailed. It was emphasized that minimal and isolated housing, replacing traditional large houses, restrict intra-family communication with physical boundaries. It was stated that economic concerns and poverty directly affect decisions about having children, and that the small-family model has become widespread as a necessity. It was discussed that single-parent families, which have emerged as a result of increasing divorce rates as a sociological reality, have become one of the most sensitive units of modern society that need support.A DANGER IN THE FUTUREIn the final section where new family types were discussed, it was pointed out that technological developments are pushing boundaries. With artificial intelligence and robotic technologies reaching the level of emotional partnership, the phenomenon of “marriage with robots,” which has begun to be seen around the world, was opened for discussion. It was predicted that human-machine interaction has the potential to fundamentally change the concept of family, and that digital-based family structures independent of biological ties will become one of the main agenda items of society in the future.BEKAM will continue to bring together theoretical knowledge in the field of social sciences with current societal issues through its Focus Group Meetings.

We have already begun preparations for our Foundation’s traditional Spring Festival. Our volunteers are working diligently in our Tailoring Workshop to produce handmade items that will be featured at the stands we will set up in June.As the Bülbülzade Foundation, we are taking action for our Spring Festival, which we have successfully organized for many years and which has now become a tradition in our city. We are carrying out a coordinated effort with all our units to ensure that our event runs flawlessly. We have rolled up our sleeves for this great gathering, which we will hold in the second week of June at Festival Park. We kicked off our festival preparations with intensive work in our tailoring workshop. The products handcrafted by our volunteers and masters will be presented to the public at the stands we will set up in the festival area. We carefully process the fabrics. Each piece is prepared with the purpose of goodness and solidarity.MULTI-DIMENSIONAL EVENTS AND STAND PREPARATIONSAll units of our foundation will set up stands during the four-day festival. At these stands, we will introduce our units and sell our handmade products. In addition, we will share our social and cultural knowledge through talks organized with our expert guests. For our children to have an enjoyable time, we are planning face painting, handicraft workshops, play tracks, and traditional competitions. In the field of gastronomy, we will offer local delicacies prepared by our volunteer women and mothers of orphans, in line with the taste of Gaziantep.We aim to strengthen our solidarity network by allocating all the income generated from the festival to our humanitarian aid activities. We look forward to bringing together all the people of the region around the same purpose at this meaningful gathering, which will be held at Festival Park in June.

Ayıntap Sohbetleri, which brings Gaziantep’s deep-rooted history and cultural richness to the microphone, has begun meeting listeners on Şafak Radio.Şafak Radio, continuing its broadcasting life under the umbrella of the Bülbülzade Foundation, is launching a new program series that sheds light on the city’s history and art. Acting with the mission of preserving local values and passing them on to the future, the radio aims to refresh Gaziantep’s memory through “Ayıntap Sohbetleri.” Broadcasting on 98.0 frequency, this voice brings the city’s hidden stories and traditions into homes with expert guests.THE JOURNEY OF WORD AND SOUNDIn the first program of the series held on Wednesday, April 15, the topic “The Journey of Word and Sound in Gaziantep” was discussed. Moderated by Hüseyin Rahmi Açıkkol, the broadcast featured Muzaffer Uslu, Lecturer at GAÜN Turkish Music State Conservatory, and Zeyneb Türkoğlu, Lecturer at Kilis 7 Aralık University State Conservatory. In the program, Gaziantep’s music culture and oral tradition were examined in depth, offering listeners an enjoyable start.GAZİANTEP’S WEDDING TRADITIONSAyıntap Sohbetleri will continue with its second program to be broadcast on Wednesday, April 22 at 10:00. This week’s program will focus on one of the city’s most colorful cultural elements, “Gaziantep Wedding Traditions.” Moderated again by Hüseyin Rahmi Açıkkol, the program’s guests will be Ülger Algın, researcher-writer İbrahim Alisinanoğlu, and historian-writer Asım Mıhçıoğlu. From wedding customs to henna nights, from traditions on the verge of being forgotten to current practices, many details will be brought to light in this broadcast with distinguished guests.Şafak Radio continues to contribute to Gaziantep’s social life with its broadcasting policy that strengthens social ties and prioritizes cultural continuity.

Our foundation continues to support the academic and spiritual development of participants of all ages in the Anatolian Cultural Centers located in Gaziantep and Syria.As Bülbülzade Foundation, we continue our educational activities with determination through our Anatolian Cultural Centers. In our courses, we do not only focus on children; we strengthen awareness of education across all segments of society by reaching participants of all ages. In this context, we continue our educational programs in our centers located in the Taşlıca, Narlıtepe, and Selahattin Eyyubi regions of Gaziantep. We also extend our educational network beyond our borders; we implement comprehensive educational programs for Syrian students in five different cultural centers located in Aleppo, Al-Bab, Jarabulus, Afrin, and Azaz in Syria.WE PRESERVE CULTURAL TIESIn the activities we carry out in our centers in Syria, we follow a curriculum tailored to the needs of our participants. We provide Arabic and Quran education and offer programs that support school lessons. Especially for participants preparing to return to their country, we organize intensive Arabic courses. In this way, we aim to preserve the connection of students of all ages to their native language and culture.THEY ACHIEVED OUTSTANDING SUCCESSParticipants receiving education in our centers demonstrate outstanding success at the end of the term. Ismail Elabed, Mahmud Aruk, Omar Mustafa, and Teym Mustafa, who continued their Arabic education at Taşlıca Anatolian Cultural Center (AKM), completed the term in first place. A similar success is also seen at Narlıtepe AKM. Jihad Al Haji, Suftlana Habash, and Muhammed Jawad, who attended Arabic classes in Narlıtepe, also achieved first place in their respective groups with their performance.STRONG COOPERATION WITH GAZİANTEP METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITYWithin the framework of the protocol we have carried out with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, we also take an active role in GASMEK centers spread throughout the city. Thanks to this strong cooperation with the municipality, we reach children in three different GASMEK centers with our volunteer teachers. With this project carried out by our foundation’s volunteer education staff, we ensure that every child has access to quality education and put the principle of equal opportunity in education into practice.