The New Term of Civilisation Readings Commenced with an Opening Ceremony at the FSM Sports and Culture Centre, Attended by Minister Tekin, Governor Gü

With the participation of Mr. Yusuf Tekin, Minister of National Education, Mr. Davut Gül, Governor of İstanbul and Mr. M. Ergün Turan, the Mayor of Fatih Municipality, the 2025-2026 term of the Civilisation Readings Project was officially launched at a ceremony held at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Sports and Culture Centre; young people took their first steps into a new process where they will encounter science, wisdom, and cultural heritage.

Organised in collaboration with the Turkish Language and Literature Association and the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education, and hosted by the Fatih Municipality, the 2025-2026 term of the Civilisation Readings Project commenced with a ceremony held at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Sports and Culture Centre. The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Yusuf Tekin, Minister of National Education, Mr. Davut Gül, Governor of İstanbul, Mr. M. Ergün Turan, the Mayor of Fatih Municipality, Mr. Cafer Sarılı, District Governor of Fatih along with numerous students, teachers, academics and guests. The excitement of the young people filling the hall was evident from the start of the programme.

In his speech at the ceremony, Minister Tekin stated that the Civilisation Readings Project is not merely a book reading activity, but an educational model that enables young people to encounter the fundamental sources of our civilisation. Mr. Tekin said, "Young people will build their own world of thought by drawing on the tradition of knowledge and wisdom, which is the most valuable heritage of these lands. The works they read will not only provide them with knowledge; they will also enable them to reinterpret values and act with a sense of social responsibility." He also emphasised that young people are the bearers of civilisation and that this project will broaden their horizons.

In his speech, Governor Gül drew attention to Istanbul's role as a cradle of civilisation throughout history and expressed the importance of young people connecting with this deep-rooted heritage. Mr. Gül said, ‘Civilisation Readings provide young people not only with knowledge but also with a sense of cultural belonging. Understanding the spirit of this city and these lands is one of our greatest responsibilities to pass on to future generations.’

Mayor Turan also conveyed his belief in young people and the importance he attaches to the project in his speech at the ceremony: "I wholeheartedly believe that young people will grow up to be individuals who think, question, produce and shape the future, nourished by the deep-rooted heritage of knowledge and wisdom of our civilisation. This project will broaden their horizons and contribute to both their individual and social development. I wish it every success and prosperity."

The Civilisation Readings Project brings hundreds of students together each year with pioneering works in the fields of history, literature and thought. Beyond simply reading the books, students have the opportunity to reflect on the texts, offer interpretations, participate in group discussions and meet with expert academics and authors in the field. In this way, the project aims to provide young people not only with knowledge but also with critical thinking and creativity.

At the opening ceremony, the list of works to be read by students in the 2025-2026 period was announced. Information was provided about the interviews, panels and events to be held as part of the programme. Participants agreed that these events would contribute to the intellectual and cultural development of young people. The students stated that the selected works would help them express their own thoughts more powerfully and broaden their perspectives by introducing them to different ideas.

Teachers attending the ceremony said that the students were strengthening their cultural identity through the works of historical figures, while academics pointed out that the programme was not just a reading activity but also a process of intellectual development.

The opening programme, held at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Sports and Culture Centre, concluded with great interest. At the end of the programme, the students and protocol members took a group photo to immortalise the beginning of the new term.

The Civilisation Readings Project will continue to contribute to young people's closer acquaintance with our cultural heritage, their internalisation of our values, and their conscious preparation for the future in the new period. The project, which is among the initiatives shaping Istanbul's educational and cultural life, has opened the doors to a powerful journey for young people.