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.

Anatolian Student Union (AÖB) organized a cultural trip to Cappadocia with the participation of university students, volunteers and educators.During the day trip, the students visited Göreme and Avanos districts of Nevşehir and had the opportunity to watch hot air balloons at sunrise accompanied by the natural beauties of the region. The students visited the Fairy Chimneys and had a new experience by making pottery in Avanos.

Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, and the accompanying delegation paid a visit to Novi Pazar and Belgrade cities of Serbia in order to make various contacts and develop collaborations.Within the scope of the visit, a general cooperation protocol was signed with Novi Pazar Turkish Cultural Center and Novi Pazar Hatice Women's Association, including joint activities, especially youth work. The protocol signing ceremony was held at the Novi Pazar Turkish Cultural Center.The ceremony was attended by İbrahim Kara, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Novi Pazar, Amila Džafo Liçina, President of Hatice Women's Association, Cenan Palamar, Director of Novi Pazar Turkish Cultural Center, Nejra Zupljanin, Coordinator of the Turkish Cultural Center, Dr. Lütfiye Güvenç and Dr. Ahmet Çam from Novi Pazar State University, Nazım Liçina, President of Serbia Turkey Alumni Association and members of the board of directors of Bülbülzade Foundation.Speaking at the ceremony, İbrahim Kara, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Novi Pazar, stated that this cooperation is an important step for the people of Novi Pazar and especially for the youth and thanked all the institutions that contributed to the process.After the signing ceremony, the delegation of the foundation visited the Turkish Cultural Center in Novi Pazar and also visited the Hatice Women's Association. During the visit hosted by Amila Džafo Liçina, President of the Association and Nazım Liçina, President of Serbia Turkey Alumni Association, the delegation was informed about the activities of the association. Following the visit, a meeting was held with the Mayor of Novi Pazar Nihat Biševac.The program also included a courtesy visit to the Education Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Belgrade.  

Located between Adana-Şanlıurfa Highway and Gaziantep-Kahramanmaraş road, Bülbülzade Foundation Liberation Forest aims to convey the struggle of the people for independence to future generations.With an area of 250,000 square meters, the Liberation Forest is one of the most important green areas in the region, with 21,130 pines, 6,520 almonds, 1,600 pomegranates and 5,750 different tree species. The forest is located in the place where on January 20, 1920, during the War of Independence, Mullah Mehmet Karayılan led a raid against the French occupation troops and liberated Gaziantep and Kahramanmaraş from occupation. For this reason, this forest, created by the Bülbülzade Foundation in dedication to our heroic soldiers who were martyred and veterans in the War of Independence, is named “Liberation Forest” and keeps their memories alive.The forest area also includes social areas such as activity areas, activity tents, hiking trails, children's playgrounds, camping areas, picnic tables and shaded resting areas.

Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, and the accompanying delegation visited Azzam Hancı, President of Midad Association, and Dr. Muhammed Wajih Cuma, who was appointed as Aleppo Provincial Health Director in Syria.During the visit, in addition to evaluating the joint activities and past work between Turkey and Syria, consultations were held on new projects that can be carried out in Aleppo. Issues such as youth projects in Aleppo, family workshops and bringing together writers' associations in Turkey and Syria were also discussed.During the visit of Midad Association, where the current situation in the field of education was also evaluated, it was shared that there are approximately 2400 schools in Aleppo, 2000 of them are in need of serious restoration and 400 of them are completely unusable. It was emphasized that Midad Association, which stands out with its work in the field of education, will continue to play an important role in this process.During the visit to Aleppo Health Directorate, the importance of the support given to the health activities in Syria was emphasized. In addition, consultations were held on new activities and projects in the field of health.