At Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN), a panel titled " A Global Guardian in Turkish Thought: Alev Alatlı" was held with strong participation. The event featured distinguished speakers, including Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cappadocia University Funda Firuz Aktan, the Founding Rector of Cappadocia University Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar, the Dean of Faculty of Science-Letters at İstanbul Kültür University Prof. Dr. Ömür Ceylan. During the program, the intellectual legacy of thinker and writer Alev Alatlı was discussed from a profound perspective focused on courage, ethics, reason, and wisdom. It was commemorated and shared with the younger generation that Alatlı contributed to the Turkish intellectual life not only through her works, but through her pursuit of truth, intellectual stance, and idea of civilization.
The program was held at Sezai Karakoç Cultural Center and attended by Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cappadocia University Funda Firuz Aktan, the Founding Rector of Cappadocia University Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar, the Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, the Dean of Faculty of Science-Letters at İstanbul Kültür University Prof. Dr. Ömür Ceylan, Zonguldak Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Senior Colonel Barış Cücen and his spouse Melek Cücen, Provincial Director of National Education Uygar Keskin, Provincial Head of the MHP Çağatay İpekçi, Zonguldak Provincial Director of Industry and Technology Metin Vural, city and district dignitaries, academic and administrative staff, and many students.
Following the singing of the National Anthem and a moment of silence for our honorable martyrs, the program continued with the screening of the video prepared by Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University. After the screening which created emotional moments for the audience, BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer gave the opening speech.
Rector Prof. Dr. Özölçer: “She Was an Intellectual Who Had a Stance with the Truth”
Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer stated the following in his speech:
“I would like to commemorate one of the most esteemed names of the intellectual community, thinker and writer Alev Alatlı with mercy, respect, and longing on the second anniversary of her passing. May she rest in peace. We are glad to see you with us today in this meaningful program hosted by our university. We not only commemorate a thinker here, but an exceptional intellectual who enlightened our path and set an example for us with her courage, one of the conscious guardians of the Turkish intellectual life, Alev Alatlı. As the President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated, she was one of the pioneers of the Türkiye-centered ideology, one of the most productive, courageous, and truthful intellectuals. As the great intellectual Cemil Meriç stated she was the only star in her own sky. Taking a strong stance when Phalestine was left alone without hesitation was one of the most concrete examples of her character and faith. She chose speaking out over silence, taking responsibility over just observing. Before I end my speech, I would like to extend my thanks to Dear Rector, Dear Prof. Dr. Ömür Ceylan, and esteemed daughter of the late Alev Alatlı, Dear Funda Firuz Aktan who will introduce us to the memories of Alev Alatlı.”
Aktan: “In Order to Understand Alev Alatlı, One Needs to Understand Her Works”
Following Rector Özölçer, the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cappadocia University Funda Firuz Aktan talked about Alev Alatlı’s line of thought and ideal university concept. Emphasizing that Alatlı has an intellectual stance that centers around Türkiye, Aktan stated that her calling for “seeing the whole” leads the way even today. Highlighting that Alatlı perceived knowledge as a responsibility, Aktan stated that this understanding that is based on the principles of “reason, ethics, justice, manners, and love” shapes institutional identity of the Cappadocia University. Expressing her pleasure for the fact that her mother Alatlı was given Honorary Doctorate at BEUN, Aktan extended her thanks to particularly to the Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer and those who contributed to the organization of the program and added that she was happy to be in Zonguldak.
Rector Prof. Dr. Karasar: “Alev Alatlı Left an Eternal Legacy to the Turkish Intellectual World”
Founding Rector of Cappadocia University Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Karasar commemorated Alev Alatlı with mercy and gratitude and stated that having the chance to work with her was an honor. Noting that Alatlı left a permanent legacy with her works and will to found a university, Karasar stated that her calling “to look at the direction the fingers point to, not at the fingers themselves” points to a destination that is centered around truth, compassion, and honor. Emphasizing that Alatlı was a thinker who refused to limit herself to the intellectual world, Karasar marked that her question “Is there anyone there?” resonated all around Anatolia. The motto of the university “reason, ethics, justice, manners, and love” is an institutional reflection of her legacy. He extended his thanks to particularly BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer and those who contributed to this meaningful organization which brings together the ideas of Alatlı with the younger generation.
Prof. Dr. Ceylan: “Young People Should Read Alev Alatlı”
The Dean of Faculty of Science-Letters at İstanbul Kültür University Prof. Dr. Ömür Ceylan talked about the writing process of seven volume work “Bize Yön Veren Metinler” (Texts That Guide Us) he prepared together with Alev Alatlı. Emphasizing that more than 6500 texts in a timeframe from 750 to 2020 were revised, Prof. Dr. Ceylan stated that the indexes of all seven volumes demonstrate the quality of the work. Highlighting the significance of understanding the ideas of Alev Alatlı, Ceylan emphasizes the importance of reading her other works including “Beyaz Türkler Küstüler”, “O.K. Musti Türkiye Tamamdır”, “Dünya Nöbeti” and “Ben Böyle Düşünüyorum Demekle Olmuyor”. At the end of his speech, Ceylan expressed his pleasure to be in Zonguldak and at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University and thanked particularly Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer and whose who contributed to the event.
Program continued with the presentation of certificates of appreciation by Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer and city dignitaries. The panel concluded with a commemorative photo.
