Within the scope of Bülbülzade Foundation's cultural activities, the summer activities, which started on June 30, 2025, consist of a total of 64 activities under 23 titles. On the other hand, evaluation meetings continue with the participation of relevant units within the foundation.Within the scope of the summer activities, programs including Quran, sports, camping, music, swimming and art workshops are implemented in 19 summer schools operating in 10 regions, while 21 summer camps for children and families are carried out in 11 regions.In addition, students participating in summer activities take part in various workshops such as forest school, wood workshop, agricultural trainings at Agro Park, climate and environmental science activities, orienteering, scouting club and bicycle tours.Children visit the Children's University, Discovery Campus, Gaziantep Zoo, Science Center and Zeugma Mosaic Museum. In addition, summer school students studying at Anatolian Culture Centers in Syria also visit Azaz Science Center, Al Bab Culture House and Jarabulus Children's Garden.In addition to these activities, various seminars and cultural days are organized, and in-service training seminars for summer school educators are also held.In addition to teaching basic religious knowledge and reinforcing it in practice, the summer activities also aim to provide children with a specific skill or talent. Another goal of the summer activities is to help children establish healthy relationships with people, nature and other living things. Starting on June 30, 2025, summer activities will continue until August 01, 2025.

The 2025 Summer Schools, planned within the scope of Bülbülzade Foundation's cultural and educational activities, started on June 30. The programs, which will continue until August 1, aim to provide a comprehensive education and development process for children and young people.The summer schools are run by the Anatolian Student Union, Education Teacher Unit, Secondary Education, Mosaic, Character Education at Home (EKE), İslâhiye Earthquake Zone, Migration, İstikrar Sports Club, Katre Science and Art Center, Bilim-Der and Semt-i İbrahimli Association.The programs include courses such as the Holy Quran, Siyer, Etiquette, Basic Religious Knowledge, Philosophy for Children, STEM, Universal Signs and English with games, as well as supporting activities such as swimming, camping, music and sports activities.The summer schools aim to help children improve both their academic and social skills, meet with values and make the most of their summer vacation in a quality way. Regular coordination and evaluation meetings are also held between the units during the program.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-Ibrahimli Summer School6. Touch Life Orphan Association Summer School7. Earthquake Zone Summer School8. Syria and Gaziantep Anatolian Cultural Centers Summer School

Hello everyone! My name is Tanya. I’m a volunteer from Russia! In mid-March, I arrived in Gaziantep for a volunteer project. It was my second ESC project and my second time volunteering in Turkey.As a volunteer in 2025, I experienced Ramadan firsthand in mid-March. I’d always wanted to visit a country where most people are fasting during Ramadan, and Bülbülzade Vakfı made this dream come true. This experience deepened my understanding of the cultural and religious traditions of Gaziantep’s people. During this blessed time, we helped prepare iftar in the camp for earthquake victims and in Gaziantep for orphans and teachers. Several times we visited hospitable colleagues. We also joined the active work at Bülbülzade’s social center.The highlight of this project for me was working at a secondary school. This experience truly changed me—I never imagined myself working with children, as I believed I was indifferent and unskilled at teaching. Turns out, I was wrong. The kids at the school were (and are) wonderful, kind, and—most importantly—curious and smart. They truly listened to us and eagerly participated in every activity we proposed. I grew very attached to them, and I hope I taught them something useful for their future, leaving a mark on their lives.Our mentors and the Bülbülzade team also did everything to make our leisure memorable! We visited museums, gardens, bazaars, and even went hiking and picnicking in the countryside. Turkey’s nature is breathtaking—worth visiting for that alone. We explored several provinces and collected countless amazing (and sometimes extreme!) memories.This project also gave me emotional support during a tough period in my life, so I’ll always remember this time with warmth and gratitude. I’ll never forget my colleagues and our team—they hold a special place in my heart. To everyone, I express my deepest thanks.Çok teşekkür ederim!

Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, together with the accompanying delegation, came together with Syrian civil society representatives at the “Common Future” meeting.In the meeting, which started with the opening speech of Serdar Çift, President of Ufuk Education Association, the problems experienced in the process of education, cultural development and voluntary return were discussed with the new period of Syria. In addition, the disruptions at the border gates and the situation of the students returning to Syria were expressed by the representatives.Hand in Hand for Goodness, Sun of Hope, Ummet and Charity Association, Damascus Orphans Association, Syrian opinion leaders, Syrian Family Minister Advisor, Aleppo Education Attaché Mustafa Onur, Reyhanlı District National Education Director Mehmet Ali Arslan and District Mufti Abdullah Doğan attended the meeting.

Within the scope of Bülbülzade Foundation's Summer Schools, in-service training was given to educators for the summer schools that will be held for students between 3rd grade and 8th grade throughout the summer.Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, made the opening speech of the program and informed the educators about the work of the foundation and all the summer activities to be held. After the speech, Summer School Coordinator Cumali Kaplan explained the past and present of summer schools. Mustafa Al Hüseyin, President of Gaziantep Syrian Community, made a presentation about the educational activities to be carried out in relation to the Anatolian Cultural Centers in Syria. Finally, Hatice Neşe Çandır gave information on methods and techniques in teaching religion, values and morals.Following the speeches, workshops on the Holy Quran, alphabet teaching workshop, the life of our Prophet and the values that grow with worship were held with the trainers. They were also informed about the duties and responsibilities of assistant trainers.In addition to the foundation center officials, the program was attended by the representatives of Bilimder, Semti İbrahimli, Earthquake Region Coordinatorship, Anatolian Cultural Center in Gaziantep and Syria, Media Unit, Katre Art and Science Center, İstikrar Sports Club, Resurrection Association, Netder and Touch Life Orphan Association.

Touch Life Orphan Association organized a special thank you concert for the mothers who volunteered as part of the Traditional Spring Festival. In the event held with the participation of volunteer musicians from Katre Art and Science Center, mothers were offered an unforgettable musical experience.In the concert, which also included requested songs, kanun and guitar performances were highly appreciated. The mothers enjoyed a day full of music and were thanked for their voluntary support. At the end of the concert, gratitude was expressed to all mothers for their dedication and contributions as volunteers.

A capacity building and first aid training seminar was organized for young people in Nurdağı within the scope of the “Be a Light for the Future” project supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and carried out by Bülbülzade Association. In addition to the students, our ESC volunteers participated in the seminar given by the Turkish Red Crescent.Organized by Bülbülzade Foundation Earthquake Region Coordinatorship, the seminar was attended by students in the earthquake zone as well as short and long-term volunteers from abroad within the scope of the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). In the training seminar given by the Turkish Red Crescent, starting from ensuring environmental and personal safety, the methods of approaching the patient or injured person in the right way were emphasized. How to control consciousness and the Heimlich maneuver to be applied in case of complete obstruction were explained in detail. In addition, different types of bleeding and the first aid practices to be performed in these cases were explained in the training. Emphasizing the negative consequences of wrong interventions, how to behave in moments of fainting and shock, how to give the shock position correctly were explained with examples. Finally, types of burns and first aid steps to be applied in burns were shared; participants were informed about what common mistakes can cause.

Deputy Governor of Damascus Musab Badawi and representatives of Damascus Governorate visited our foundation. During their visit, the foundation received information about our work.Within the scope of the visit, detailed information about Bülbülzade Foundation's migration and adaptation activities in Turkey and Syria was shared and it was emphasized that it is ready to transfer its experience in Anatolian Cultural Centers to Damascus. In addition to the representatives of Damascus Governorate, BEKAM President Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu and Gaziantep Syrian Community President Mustafa Al Hüseyin attended the visit.