Murat Öz, Head of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Urban Aesthetics and Green Spaces Department, visited Bülbülzade Foundation Aleppo Liaison Office. During the visit, Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, came together with foundation volunteers, businessmen and NGO representatives.During the visit, discussions were held about the city structuring of Aleppo, urban aesthetics, as well as the commercial, political and cultural situation of the city. During the meeting, it was stated that Aleppo was destroyed during the war and the aesthetics and structure of the city started to deteriorate. In addition, Bülbülzade Foundation exchanged ideas for the development of Aleppo in every sense.Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality stated that the sister city Aleppo will become more beautiful and gave information about the National Garden park works to be built in Aleppo within the scope of the sister city protocol.During the visit, while expressing wishes to increase mutual cooperation and solidarity with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, ideas were exchanged on joint projects that will restore the region to its former beauty and improve urban aesthetics.

Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, and the accompanying delegation visited Muhammad Said Şeyhkâr, President of Aleppo Chamber of Commerce.During the visit, discussions were held on the economic potential of the region, commercial vitality and strengthening cross-border cooperation. While the issue of trade between Gaziantep and Aleppo was discussed, emphasis was placed on the development of commercial relations, and the chambers of commerce between the two cities were consulted on uninterrupted visa and transit procedures.It was stated that the transit problems experienced by those engaged in trade in Syria at the entrance and exit to Turkey blocked the way for many developments, and that Syrian traders could turn to other countries other than Turkey when the transit problem was not solved, thus limiting the budgetary developments that would occur due to this reason.After the opening of the Voluntary Repatriation Counseling and Support Center, which was implemented by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality in cooperation with local governments and non-governmental organizations, especially Bülbülzade Foundation, during the meeting with the Vice President of the Republic of Turkey Cevdet Yılmaz, it was informed that the necessary information was given at the point of eliminating the existing bottlenecks on Syria-related issues and discussions were held on solutions to these problems.Information was given about the nation garden to be built by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality in Aleppo as well as the Voluntary Return Counseling and Support Center opened in Gaziantep. It was emphasized that Turkey and Gaziantep should take the lion's share of the budgetary developments that will occur in the reconstruction of Syria, and that the existing collaborations should be paved the way.During the visit, while expressing the wish to increase mutual cooperation and solidarity, ideas were exchanged on joint projects to improve trade relations in the region.

Within the scope of ESC short and long-term individual volunteering projects supported by the Turkish National Agency and carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation, young people between the ages of 18-30 coming to our country from abroad continue to take an active role in social responsibility projects.Within the scope of social responsibility projects, Bülbülzade Foundation Earthquake Region Coordinatorship and ESC volunteers provided material support to the sewing workshops and handicraft courses in the earthquake zone. ESC volunteers participated in workshops in the Nurdağı region of Gaziantep and participated in wood painting activities. Afterwards, they gained various experiences in handicrafts and needlework in the courses at Bülbülzade Foundation's Needlework and Sewing Workshop in İslâhiye region.

Anadolu Federation Unit Evaluation and Planning Meeting was held in Gaziantep. The meeting, which started with the opening speech of Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir, was attended by the board members and representatives of the Anatolian Federation Teacher Unit, AKADDER, Secondary Education Unit and Anatolian Student Union (AÖB), as well as the Summer school coordinators for 2025.At the meeting held at Zade Life Hotel hosted by Bülbülzade Foundation, annual activity evaluations and planning studies of the units were carried out. In addition, plans were made for the Summer Activities and 19th Anatolian Gatherings to be held in the summer of 2025.

The Voluntary Repatriation Counseling and Support Center, implemented by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality in cooperation with Gaziantep Provincial Directorate of Migration Management, Turkish Red Crescent, Bülbülzade Foundation, SGDD-ASAM and other local governments and civil society organizations, was inaugurated with the participation of Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, Turkish Red Crescent President Prof. Dr. Fatma Meriç Yılmaz, Gaziantep MPs and Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir attended the opening ceremony.Turkish Red Crescent President Prof. Dr. Fatma Meriç Yılmaz visited the support center office where our foundation's migration and Syria work experience will be presented as a contribution. During the visit, information was given about the inter-communal communication, social cohesion, information and volunteering consultancy planned by Bülbülzade Foundation.The support center, which will set an example at the international level, was established in a multi-stakeholder structure in the field of migration management. The center, which was established to support the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Syrian individuals to their homeland within the framework of Turkey's migration policies, will provide adaptation and livelihood support to individuals and families who will make a new start in Syria.

Alparslan Durmuş, President of Turkish Red Crescent Academy and Fatih Kökcan, Turkish Red Crescent Syria Area Coordinator visited our foundation. During their visit, the foundation received information about our work.Within the scope of the visit, detailed information about Aleppo Cultural Center, Aleppo Office and Anatolian Cultural Centers were shared as well as the migration and adaptation activities carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation in Syria. In addition, the Red Crescent's work in different regions of Syria was explained and experiences were shared.The importance of Syria's education system for the region was emphasized and it was stated that a good education system can overcome the division of the Middle East. It was also emphasized that children who speak Turkish can create an advantage in terms of the language of education and therefore bilingual education should be supported.

Bülbülzade Foundation shared the joy of Eid with its volunteers with a Eid celebration program. The program was attended by volunteers, unit officers and members of the foundation, as well as guests from various cities in Turkey, Syrian opinion leaders and students, Anatolian Federation management and children of volunteers.The Eid celebration event started with the speech of Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation. In his opening speech, President Aldemir emphasized the joy of Eid and gave information about the activities to be held in the summer season and the activities carried out in Syria. Afterwards, Mustafa El Hussein, President of Gaziantep Syrian Community and Yunus Hamallar, President of Touch Life Orphan Association made opening speeches and congratulated all participants on Eid.Throughout the program, the participants took the microphone in turn and shared their Eid greetings and good wishes. Foundation unit representatives gave information about the activities to be carried out in the summer period and congratulated Eid. The students participating in the program also shared the joy of Eid by expressing their wishes. President Turgay Aldemir gave Eid pocket money to the children attending the event. The children who participated in the Eid celebration had fun and added joy to the program.The Eid program ended with the prayer of İbrahim Özmantar, Member of the Board of Trustees of Bülbülzade Foundation.

BEKAM President Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu, Gaziantep Syrian Community President Mustafa Al Hüseyin, Bülbülzade Foundation Foreign Relations Unit member Ali Akbaba and a delegation of volunteers visited Damascus Governor Maher Muhammed Marwan and Deputy Foreign Minister Muhammed al Jaffel.During the meeting, detailed information was shared about Bülbülzade Foundation's migration and integration activities in Turkey and Syria. They were also informed about the projects planned in the fields of culture, sports and youth empowerment as part of the efforts to support local development. The delegation shared its experiences on Anatolian Cultural Centers and emphasized its readiness to transfer its experience to Damascus. Governor of Damascus Maher Mohammed Marwan welcomed the partnership and emphasized the governorate's readiness to provide the necessary facilities for the success of the joint initiatives.Following the meeting held in Damascus Governorate, Damascus Director of Youth, Sports, Culture and Social Activities Ahmet al-Jeffal was visited. A general cooperation protocol was signed between Bülbülzade Foundation Turkish Traditional Sports Federation and Damascus Directorate of Youth, Sports, Culture and Social Activities in the fields of culture, sports and youth empowerment.After the visit to Damascus Governorate, the delegation visited Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad al-Jaffal in his office.

Bülbülzade Foundation is also waiting for you to attend the Eid Event.📅Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025🕑Time: 13.00📍Location: Bülbülzade Foundation Winter Garden

As the Bülbülzade Foundation, a “Common Future Meeting” was held with Syrian Opinion Leaders as part of the traditional Spring Festival that we organize with great excitement every year. The meeting hosted by the Bülbülzade Foundation was attended by Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir, Gaziantep Provincial Migration Administration Director Mehmet Erkoç and Syrian opinion leaders in Gaziantep.The meeting, where Syrian opinion leaders in Gaziantep came together, was attended by Ataa Association, Takaful Sham Association, Rahma Foundation Turkey Representative Office, Anadolu Cultural Center educators and Gaziantep Syrian Community members, as well as Syrian doctors, lawyers and students. Evaluations were made regarding the new period that Syria is in at the meeting. Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir and Gaziantep Provincial Migration Administration Director Mehmet Erkoç answered the questions of Syrian opinion leaders and participants regarding the new period.The opening speech of the meeting was made by Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir, who emphasized Turkey’s civil society and intellectual experience, and said, “We will build the new Syria together. It is now time to be an active subject in Syria. Hopefully, the Syria-Turkey union will solve the problems of both this region and this geography, and will be a safe and peaceful homeland.”In addition to consultations on activities and studies that can be carried out regarding the new period in Syria by participants from various fields, questions were answered regarding closed neighborhoods, transitions from Syria to Turkey, out-of-town permits, residence statuses, and students’ higher education equivalents and educational problems.

Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin and Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir and their accompanying delegations carried out a comprehensive study visit to Aleppo, Syria. Various official contacts and field inspections were carried out during the visit.The delegations first met with Aleppo Consul General Hakan Cengiz and evaluated Aleppo’s current problems and priority needs. During the meeting, steps that could be taken, particularly regarding education, infrastructure, water supply and home renovations, were discussed.The delegations then visited Aleppo Governor Azzam Garib in his office. A meeting with broad participation was held at the governor’s office, and the sister city protocol between Gaziantep and Aleppo was also signed again as part of this visit. The protocol undertook mutual cooperation and technical support for infrastructure, transportation, environment and urbanization, protection of cultural heritage, economic and industrial cooperation and social projects supporting voluntary returns.The visit continued with an on-site examination of the city’s important cultural heritage sites, Zekeriya Mosque and Aleppo Castle. During the examinations, evaluations were made regarding restoration and conservation efforts.

Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin and Aleppo Consul General Hakan Cengiz visited the Bülbülzade Foundation Aleppo Liaison Office on May 29, 2025, and met with foundation volunteers and opinion leaders in the region.Stating that it is valuable for the Bülbülzade Foundation to be on the field in Aleppo, Fatma Şahin stated that solutions to Aleppo’s problems can be found by the administration, civil society and business people working hand in hand, such as the “Gaziantep Model”.During the meeting, where the common past of Aleppo and Gaziantep was frequently emphasized; educational activities regarding the present and future of Aleppo, projects for children, infrastructure problems (water, electricity), parks and solution proposals and ideas regarding the reconstruction of Aleppo were discussed. During the visit, mutual experience sharing and cooperation opportunities were evaluated. He also touched on the importance of the mission undertaken by the Bülbülzade Foundation in the region, emphasizing that civil society organizations played a key role in the process of Aleppo’s recovery. He also expressed his support with the words, “We will succeed together. We must move forward quickly by sharing our experiences.”The program ended with the presentation of gift paintings prepared at the Anatolian Cultural Centers and a visit to the Aleppo Anatolian Cultural Center, which will soon be operational.