Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay attended the program organized by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality for the anniversary of the establishment of the Village Institutes. Stating that Village Institutes were one of the cornerstones of the enlightenment movement of the Republican period, Mayor Tugay said, "Village Institutes continue to guide us today thanks to the Ataturk principles and revolutions on which they are based."
On the anniversary of the establishment of the Village Institutes, which were closed in 1954, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality hosted an event reflecting the spirit of that period. “84. The "Village Institutes on the Anniversary" program was held at Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center (AASSM). Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Republican People's Party (CHP) İzmir Deputy Rıfat Nalbantoğlu, YKKED Chairman Gökhan Bal, Kemalpaşa Mayor Mehmet Türkmen, representatives of non-governmental organizations and citizens attended the program where Cemil Tugay made the opening speech.
Honorary award to Kuçuradi
President Tugay watched the program, which witnessed intense participation, by sitting on the stairs in the hall. The program, which started with the concert of YKKED Mandolin Orchestra, was presented by Poet Tuğrul Keskin. Turkish Philosopher Prof. Dr. İoanna Kuçuradi was given the 2024 Enlightenment Honor Award. Kuçuradi attended the program with a video and thanked.
"What the Great Leader sent as a 'spark' returned as a 'flame'"
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tugay, who made the opening speech of the program, said that the Village Institutes, which aim to create self-confident, productive generations that protect the future of their country and society through scientific modern education, maintain their value today, thanks to Ataturk's principles and revolutions. Stating that Village Institutes were one of the cornerstones of the enlightenment movement of the Republican period, President Tugay said, “After a War of Independence against imperialism and an example for oppressed nations, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk knew very well that the new struggle should be waged against ignorance. What the Great Leader sent abroad as a 'spark' returned as a 'flame' and began to illuminate Anatolia. The education and training campaign he carried out across the country took a completely different dimension after his death. The institutes opened all over the country under the leadership of the then Minister of National Education, Hasan Âli Yücel, and the General Director of Primary Education, İsmail Hakkı Tonguç, paved the way to ensure equal opportunity in education and to train republic teachers. Instead of education being limited to cities, they introduced poor village children to science, culture, art and sports. As educators of the future, those children integrated what they learned at the Village Institutes into their lives and shed light on the darkness with the torch in their hands. An exemplary education model unique to this land emerged. The achievements of our Republic were carried to the villages; "Republican individuals were raised," he said.
“They guide our present”
President Tugay pointed out that even though the Village Institutes, which were established 84 years ago, were closed down after a short time, they continue to guide us today thanks to the Ataturk principles and revolutions they were based on. President Tugay said, “They continue to exist as the clearest proof that we can get out of the troubled process our country is going through with self-confidence, production, national awareness, savings, solidarity, in short, with the values that make us who we are. From this perspective, I once again congratulate the 84th anniversary of the establishment of Village Institutes. I remember with mercy and gratitude all those who worked hard for the bright future of our country, especially our unforgettable Minister of National Education Hasan Âli Yücel and General Director of Primary Education İsmail Hakkı Tonguç, who implemented the project with great devotion and effort. I would like to thank the valuable managers of the New Generation Village Institutes Association, with whom we organized this meaningful event, and our panelists for their participation. "I wholeheartedly congratulate Mr. Ioanna Kuçuradi, who was deemed worthy of the 2024 Enlightenment Honor Award," he said.
Thanks to President Tugay
YKKED Chairman Bal, while giving examples of the work they carried out as an association, touched upon the place and importance of Village Institutes in the history of the Republic of Turkey. Bal thanked President Tugay for his support and presented a plaque. Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Tugay also visited the exhibition titled "My Mother, Teacher Zeynep Makal, in the Light of Gönen Village Institute" prepared by Oğuz Makal.