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With the aim of preserving our traditional arts, which are among the most valuable parts of our cultural heritage, and passing on this aesthetic legacy to future generations by bringing it together with the academic world, the “Traditional Bookbinding Course Closing Ceremony” organized under the leadership of our Information and Document Management Department was held on Tuesday, February 24, 2025, at the Ziraat Bank Library Foyer. In collaboration with the Kadıköy District Governor's Office, the Kadıköy District National Education Directorate, and the Bostancı Public Education Center, the ceremony also included the opening of the “Illumination Exhibition” organized to mark the 1500th anniversary of the birth of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The program was attended by our Rector Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik, Kadıköy District Governor Muhittin Pamuk, our Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Yaşar Bülbül and Prof. Dr. Fatih Sarıoğlu, Kadıköy Bostancı Public Education Center Director Hülya Narsap, Information and Document Management Department Chair Prof. Dr. Bilgin Aydın, Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Hamdi Kuzucuoğlu, an academic from the Department of Information and Document Management, Memduh Dinç, Head of the Library and Documentation Department, faculty members, course participants, and many guests.

“When people integrate with illumination, bookbinding, and music, they take on a completely different atmosphere.”

The program began with a Sufi Music Recital and continued with a speech by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik. Emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional arts through academic and local collaborations, our Rector noted, “The emergence of this through integration with the public, the external environment, and society takes on a completely different meaning,” drawing attention to how the bond between the university and society is strengthened through cultural heritage.

Noting that modern humans get lost in the labyrinths of their search for knowledge and miss the beauty around them, Çelik stated that this awareness can only be regained through traditional aesthetic values. “When integrated with illumination, bookbinding, and music, humanity can take on a completely different atmosphere,” said our Rector, emphasizing that the university-society meeting plays a critical role at this point. He stated that such projects, which integrate with the civilian population, are not just an event; they carry “a horizon that encompasses civilization” and “a completely different meaning.”

“It is impossible to create a contemporary style without knowing traditional arts.”

Following our Rector, Kadıköy District Governor Muhittin Pamuk emphasized that traditional arts are not only a legacy of the past but also a fundamental guide for the artists of the future. Pointing out that art must be nourished from its roots, Pamuk said, "Without knowing traditional arts, there is no style or approach that a contemporary artist can develop. Knowing one's own tradition adds a completely different interpretation and style to the artist. Otherwise, one cannot go beyond imitating the era.“ Pamuk stated that tradition is essential for an original style and described this project as ”the meeting of scientific mind and practice."

Following the opening speeches, 70 meticulously prepared illumination works and 50 bookbinding works by the course participants were presented to visitors. Participants witnessed the journey of a book from its worn state to its rebirth at the exhibition. At the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Hamdi Kuzucuoğlu, Department Chair Prof. Dr. Bilgin Aydın, Bostancı Public Education Center Director Hülya Narsap, Course Instructor Memduh Dinç, and Supervisor Mustafa Sulu each gave a speech and shared their assessments of the course process. After the speeches, the ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates to the successful course participants.