As part of our Eid al-Adha campaign, we created an early holiday joy by meeting the holiday clothing needs of 50 families and their children whom we hosted at our aid store.Within the scope of the activities we carry out to share in the joy of our families and children before Eid al-Adha, we hosted 50 families at our aid store today. The happiness in the eyes of the children, whose holiday clothing and shoe needs we met, turned the day into an occasion where we shared the joy of Eid in advance. During this special gathering, which we organized with the devoted support of our volunteers, we opened the doors of our store wide and allowed each child to choose the items they personally liked.WE WORK WITH THE SPIRIT OF SOLIDARITYAs a foundation, we aim to deliver the abundance and spirit of sharing of Eid to society through solidarity. With the satisfaction of the families who left our store joyfully, we successfully completed this meaningful stage of our Eid al-Adha campaign. Until the day of Eid, we continue our efforts without interruption to reach more households so that our children can wake up on the morning of Eid with new clothes and peace in their hearts.

Preparations have begun for the Summer Schools organized under the umbrella of the Bülbülzade Foundation. During the planning meeting, where educational content and the instructor staff were determined, programs aimed at helping young people spend their summer vacation in a productive and multifaceted way were discussed.Preparations have officially started for the Summer Schools, which are organized every year with great enthusiasm within the Bülbülzade Foundation. Ahead of the activities that aim to help students spend their summer vacation both learning and having fun, a comprehensive planning meeting with broad participation was held. During the meeting, all details of the educational programs, which will continue for five full weeks between June 29 and July 31, were discussed thoroughly. Instructors who will serve both in educational centers in central Gaziantep and in activities carried out in the earthquake region were determined during the meeting, while the operational procedures of the trainings were comprehensively reviewed in order to ensure the flawless execution of the organization.RICH CURRICULUM, WIDE GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGEDuring the sessions, programs to be implemented across a wide geographical area — including the Foundation Center, Semt-i İbrahimli, Bilim-Der, Gaziantep and Syria Anatolian Culture Centers, as well as the earthquake-affected regions of Islahiye and Nurdağı — were evaluated. In the meetings, where summer school activities focused on media, arts, sports, and social activities were planned, the content to be offered to participants between the ages of 7 and 20 was detailed. Within this scope, decisions were made regarding a rich curriculum including basic religious knowledge, the Holy Qur’an, values education, digital literacy, and STEAM workshops. In addition, environmental projects, camps, and cultural trips aimed at instilling environmental awareness were also approved. Throughout the entire process, it was particularly emphasized that spiritual values would remain at the forefront within the framework of “human-human, human-nature, human-other living beings, and human-God relationships.”BECOME A VOLUNTEER IN OUR SUMMER SCHOOLSNew volunteers continue to join our team of expert educators every day in order to transform the summer vacation into an unforgettable experience for our youth. As Bülbülzade Foundation, we invite all volunteer instructors who wish to walk this meaningful journey with us and share their knowledge and experience by touching the lives of children to join our Summer Schools staff. If you would like to become a part of this big family, you can submit your instructor application via the following address:Bülbülzade Foundation Volunteer Application Page

The second term of the Oku-Yorum Project, carried out by the Gaziantep Anatolian Student Union operating under the umbrella of the Bülbülzade Foundation, has come to an end.The closing program of the project, which was launched to contribute to the intellectual development of students and attracted great interest, was held on Wednesday, May 13, at the Gaziantep University Youth Center. Participants who came together at the final event of the term carried out an insightful book analysis. The final book discussion organized within the scope of the closing program was moderated by Dr. Mine Bindal.CULTURAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVESDuring the event, the work titled “Dünyayı Bilmeyen Dünyanın Maskarası Olur” by Alev Alatlı, one of the important figures of Turkish intellectual life, was examined in depth. Readers exchanged ideas on the cultural and sociological perspectives presented in the book. The analysis program, which saw strong participation from young people and featured qualified readings, was completed in a highly productive atmosphere.Gaziantep AÖB officials concluded the term by expressing their thanks to everyone who participated in the project and contributed with their valuable ideas throughout the term.

The third of the Focus Group Meetings organized by BEKAM was held at the Bülbülzade Foundation. During the program attended by Psychological Counselor Specialist Ahmet Taşkesen, the effects of social changes on the family structure and young people’s approach to the institution of marriage were discussed in all dimensions.The Focus Group Meetings initiated by the Science Education Culture Research Center (BEKAM) to address social issues continue at full speed in 2026. This year’s meeting topics largely focus on the transformations experienced by the family institution, which is the fundamental building block of society, within the framework of digitalization, modernization, and changing socio-economic dynamics. In this context, a comprehensive session titled “Youth, Marriage, and the New Generation’s Perspective on Family” was held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in the Meeting Hall of the Bülbülzade Foundation. Moderated by Mesut Aydağ, the meeting detailed the emotional satisfaction young people seek in marriage, their social anxieties, and their own analyses regarding family-related problems. The meeting aimed to shed light on the future of the family institution by bringing together field experts, stakeholders who would discuss the study topics, civil society volunteers, and young people around the same table.In his opening speech, moderator Mesut Aydağ drew attention to the transformation process the family is going through. Emphasizing that technological developments directly affect human relationships, Aydağ expressed the purpose of the meeting with the following words: “While there are thousands of people we interact with on digital networks, we are becoming so distant that we cannot even talk to the person sitting next to us. While networks bring us closer, they also isolate us and distance us from one another.”WE HAVE ALL BECOME INDIVIDUALIZED IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHERTaking the floor after the opening, Psychological Counselor Specialist Ahmet Taşkesen stated that the family institution in Türkiye has been exposed to the effects brought by the modern age. Emphasizing the disruptions within the family institution, Taşkesen said: “In Türkiye, the family institution is going through a silent yet deeply rooted process of structural transformation due to the effects brought by the modern age. This process is still continuing. We needed to organize these meetings in order to understand this transformation and protect the future of the family.” Referring to the loneliness caused by globalization, Taşkesen remarked: “A transformation from ‘us’ to ‘me’ has taken place here. What we call individualization has emerged. Individualization and the transition to the nuclear family are actually manifestations of this.”FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, FAMILY IS BOTH A SAFE HARBOR AND A RISKReferring to current studies covering all 81 provinces regarding young people’s perspective on the family institution, Taşkesen presented striking statistics to the participants. Summarizing the paradox in young people’s minds in his own words, Taşkesen said: “The most striking finding of the research is this: Young people define the family as the sole psychologically safe harbor with a one hundred percent rate. However, they code marriage as a field of risk due to responsibility concerns and economic uncertainties.” Explaining the expectations of young people, Taşkesen also stated: “Young people keep their distance from the institution of marriage because of the uncertainties, restrictions, and economic risks it contains. The family institution still maintains a high value in the eyes of young people as a structure that eliminates loneliness and provides security.”THE DILEMMA OF FREEDOM AND SECURITYIn the final part of the meeting, which progressed interactively in accordance with the focus group approach, participants took the floor and shared their opinions under various topics. The changing traditional roles, the effects of economic conditions on marriage decisions, and the reflections of digital culture on individuals were discussed in detail. The meeting, enriched by the contributions of educators, parents, and young participants in the hall, intensely debated the dilemma between freedom and security. Emphasizing the importance of value transmission within the family, participants stated that structural support mechanisms such as marriage schools should be expanded.

Cerablus Anatolian Culture Center and the Cerablus Yunus Emre Institute came together in a football match to strengthen friendship and solidarity.Operating under the umbrella of the Bülbülzade Foundation, the Cerablus Anatolian Culture Center added another activity to its regular efforts supporting social and cultural development in the region. The friendly match organized in cooperation with the Cerablus Yunus Emre Institute turned into a meaningful event aimed at strengthening the ties between the two institutions rather than competition on the field. The tournament was also followed with great interest by institution personnel serving in the region and local residents. The main purpose of the event stood out as elevating cultural relations, unity, and institutional brotherhood between these two distinguished institutions operating in Cerablus to the highest level. The sportsmanship displayed throughout the match showed that the two institutions were united as one heart on the field.A GENTLEMANLY COMPETITIONThe match, which witnessed great excitement throughout ninety minutes, turned into a complete visual feast thanks to the sportsmanlike struggle of the players. The regular time of the fiercely contested match ended in a 2-2 draw. Following the penalty shootout held to determine the winner, the victorious team was presented with its trophy and gifts. With the final whistle, players from both teams congratulated one another and delivered messages of friendship.

Dr. Mustafa El Hüseyin, President of the Bülbülzade Syria Association, and the accompanying administrative delegation paid an official working visit to Aleppo Director of National Education Anas Qasim and discussed educational cooperation between the two institutions.Operating under the umbrella of Bülbülzade Foundation, the Bülbülzade Syria Association has accelerated its diplomatic efforts to protect the rights of volunteer teachers residing in Türkiye who wish to cross the border in order to contribute to educational processes in Syria. In this context, a delegation consisting of Dr. Mustafa El Hüseyin, President of the Gaziantep Syrian Community and Bülbülzade Syria Association, along with administrative staff, came together with Aleppo Director of National Education Anas Qasim at a high-level meeting. During the meeting, which took place in an extremely sincere, friendly, and constructive atmosphere, strategic ways to improve the existing cooperation opportunities between the association and the directorate, as well as to increase educational and cultural support in the region, were discussed. One of the main agenda items of the meeting was the status of the interview screening committees to be established within the Aleppo Directorate of National Education and preventing possible grievances that volunteer teachers may experience during this process.STRONG COORDINATION IS REQUIREDEl Hüseyin conveyed to Anas Qasim the situation of teachers going through a sensitive process due to travel conditions and requested the creation of a flexible schedule in order to facilitate the process. As a result of the negotiations, it was decided that the interviews of volunteer teachers experiencing difficulties in travel planning would be held on June 2, 3, and 4, 2026, in a way that would prevent any grievances. Both parties reached a full consensus on maintaining strong coordination in order to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of educational activities in the region.