GYV presents Coexistence Awards to top public figures in Turkey
The GYV Award for Exemplary Behavior or Initiatives in the Societal Sphere went to Rakel Dink, the wife of Hrant Dink, the murdered editor-in-chief of the Agos newspaper. Two audiovisual and stage arts awards went to Kalan Music and Mahsun Kırmızıgül for his movie “Güneşi Gördüm” (I Saw the Sun).
Messages of brotherhood and tolerance were delivered at the Journalists and Writers Foundation’s (GYV) Coexistence Awards ceremony on Saturday in İstanbul, stressing the importance of mutual understanding.
The ceremony opened with speeches from poet Hilmi Yavuz, who is also the head of the 11-member selection committee, and GYV Chairman Mustafa Yeşil. Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin, İstanbul Governor Muammer Güler, State Minister for Family and Women’s Affairs Selma Aliye Kavaf and several deputies also participated in the ceremony. In his opening speech Yeşil said since its inception in 1994, the GYV had advocated plurality, peace and the art of living together through organizing countless conferences and panels.
Noting that prejudice and discrimination are not the teachings of the Islamic faith or Turkish culture, Yeşil said that once the people act with the voice of their conscience, they will always accept others the way they are.
The ceremony was then followed by musicians playing individually and then as an orchestra as a sign of coexistence. The awards are delivered to outstanding individuals and institutions contributing to coexistence and social peace in six categories.
The Literature Award went to Elif Şafak, whose book “Aşk” (The Forty Rules of Love) became a bestseller in Turkey last year. Expressing her gratitude for being selected as a recipient, Şafak said special thanks go to the “invisibles”: her readers. The Scientific Research Award went to the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) for their extraordinary activities to promote coexistence through scientific research. Accepting the award on behalf of the organization, TESEV Chairman Can Paker said everyone at the institution worked round the clock to contribute to Turkey.
The GYV Award for Exemplary Behavior or Initiatives in the Societal Sphere went to Rakel Dink, the wife of Hrant Dink, the murdered editor-in-chief of the Agos newspaper. Two audiovisual and stage arts awards went to Kalan Music and Mahsun Kırmızıgül for his movie “Güneşi Gördüm” (I Saw the Sun).
There were three media awards the first of which was granted to Açık Radio for their extensive coverage of areas related to dialogue and coexistence. Delivering a long speech after accepting his award from Turkish Airlines Chairman Temel Kotil, Açık Radio editor-in-chief Ömer Madra said they worked to present a better life for future generations. “We will not quit in our efforts to make life meaningful,” Madra said. The second media award went to journalist Hasan Cemal, who said he knows that coexistence is a difficult job. “Our country will continue on this path,” Cemal said. The third media award went to the Taraf daily for its courageous coverage of important issues and for unearthing coup plans. “Turkey is changing. This award showed our friends love us,” Yıldıray Oğur, Taraf daily’s general manager, said.
Taraf daily Managing Editor Yıldıray Uğur received a media award at GYV's Coexistence Awards ceremony.
The Award for Exemplary Behavior or Initiatives in the Societal Sphere went to Rakel Dink, the wife of Hrant Dink, the murdered editor-in-chief of the Agos newspaper. Dink was recognized for the noble attitude she displays in public. Two audiovisual and stage arts awards went to Kalan Music and Mahsun Kırmızıgül for his movie “Güneşi Gördüm” (I Saw the Sun), which was lauded across the country for its emphasis on the importance of living together.
Delivered by Orhan Gencebay, the voice of arabesque music in Turkey, Kırmızıgül said after receiving his award that he has always stood by brotherhood throughout his life and in his art. “We devoted the movie to the brotherhood of nations,” Kırmızıgül added. “We have to live together,” Gencebay added to the recipient’s speech.
Two sports awards went to the late Hasan Doğan, the former head of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), and Bursaspor coach Ertuğrul Sağlam. Doğan’s award was presented to his wife, Aysel, by Kavaf, and Şahin presented the award to Sağlam.
“I congratulate the foundation for awarding those who are successful and honest. This is a responsibility; we will continue to play sport with the understanding that sport means peace and brotherhood,” Sağlam said.
While delivering his closing remarks, Şahin said living together is a basic wish for all. “Let’s serve life through accepting our differences in peace together. I particularly thank the foundation for bringing us together,” he concluded.
