One of the distinguished names of the Turkish intellectual world, Prof. Dr. Teoman Duralı, was commemorated with a panel titled “The Intellectual World of Teoman Duralı Through the Eyes of Witnesses” on the 4th anniversary of his passing at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University. The program, held at the Sezai Karakoç Cultural Center, received significant attention from academics, the educational community, and city dignitaries.
The program started with the book signing ceremony, held by author Ali Değermenci for his book “Öyle Geçer ki Zaman – Teoman Duralı” in the foyer area of the Sezai Karakoç Cultural Center. The Rector of BEUN, Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Bekir Hakan Bakkal and Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu, Secretary General Prof. Dr. Zehra Safi Öz, Zonguldak Provincial Mufti Halil İbrahim Demir, academic and administrative staff, teachers, and students attended the panel.
The program began with a moment of silence for the honorable martyrs and singing of the National Anthem. A short film about the life and intellectual world of Teoman Duralı created emotional moments for the audience.
Following the screening of the movie, Teoman Duralı’s son, a faculty member at Medipol University, Asst. Prof. Dr. Deniz Duralı highlighted that the traditional panels held to commemorate Duralı at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University hold great value. Commemorating his father reciting verses from “Rindlerin Ölümü” by Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, Deniz Duralı extended his thanks particularly to the Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer and those who contributed to the program.
Rector Özölçer: “Professor Duralı is a wise figure who represents the dignity of thought.”
BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer took the stage following Dr. Deniz Duralı and said:
“I commemorate our esteemed fellow townsman, our university’s Honorary Doctorate recipient, one of the monumental names of the Turkish intellectual world, Prof. Dr. Teoman Duralı, on the 4th anniversary of his passing with mercy, gratitude, and grace. Teoman Duralı is an exceptional person who took thought not just as an intellectual activity but as a representation of a stand, ethic, and civilization. He was a wise man who always carried the light of our old-rooted traditions on his journey in the labyrinths of the modern age and addressed audiences beyond his era as an indigenous and national voice.
Introducing this legacy with the young generation in our Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, named after him, is both an honor for us and a responsibility we need to fulfill. On this occasion, I express my thanks to our valuable guests and esteemed speakers who will bring us together with valuable Duralı through this program.”
Duralı’s Students and Friends Shared Their Recollections
The panel started following Rector Özölçer’s speech. In the panel moderated by Prof. Dr. İhsan Fazlıoğlu, the Director of İstanbul Medeniyet University Institute for the History of Science, the students of Duralı and his close colleagues shared their thoughts.
The first speaker, Prof. Dr. Osman Faruk Akyol, shared his recollections from his university years when he met Professor Duralı and emphasized his multifaceted stance and his strong commitment to human rights. Highlighting that Teoman Duralı was a scientist above world standards who could speak six foreign languages at an advanced level, Akyol stated that Duralı refused offers from many institutions abroad with the idea that serving his own country is more important. Prof. Dr. Uğur Ekren spoke after Akyol and discussed the effect of Duralı on his academic journey. He mentioned that Duralı stated that philosophy alone would not be enough, and he advised him to take mathematics and physics, and taught him English in his office.
Prof. Dr. Murak Kelikli talked about his joint studies on philosophy of mathematics with Teoman Duralı and said the most important teaching of Duralı for his students was “never give up curiosity”. The moderator of the program titled Philosophy Talks on TRT2, Mücahit Erboğa, shared the behind-the-scenes stories of the program that started in 2018.
Sharing the unknown aspects of Teoman Duralı’s life, Ali Değermenci talked about Duralı’s life experiences, shaped by journeys extending from Europe to the Himalayas, shared how he met his family, and how hardworking he was. He also shared how honored he was to be appointed as an advisor to the President by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The Program Concluded with Great Interest
Following the panel, the Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer presented the panelists with a certificate of appreciation. A commemorative photo session was held. The program ended with the book signing ceremony by Ali Değermenci. Students and academics showed great interest in the book signing ceremony in the foyer area.
