"Safe Zone Radio", which started broadcasting in 2019 on the frequency 92.2 in Azaz district in northern Syria, started its Turkish broadcasting service with YEI as of 5 January 2021.

The radio, which will broadcast in Turkish at certain hours, will include language and cultural programs as well as news from Turkey and the world.

Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) President  Prof.  Şeref Ateş participated in the live broadcast as the first guest of Azaz Radio's Turkish broadcast and answered questions.

Talking about the Turkish teaching and culture and arts activities carried out by Yunus Emre Institute around the world, Ateş stated that long-distance Turkish teaching activities gained speed especially during the Covid-19 outbreak and that 235 thousand people learned Turkish for at least 3 months during this period.

Prof.  Ateş pointed out that the intense interest in Turkish is not only limited to regions close to Turkey, but also from all regions around the world, and stated that the Turkish language represents the common denominator between Yunus Emre and humanity.

“A THOUSAND ACTIVITIES EVERY YEAR”

Underlining that they do not only teach Turkish, Ateş emphasized that while they are constantly improving themselves culturally, they are also trying to spread "the good and the beautiful" all over the world.

Prof.  Şeref Ateş stated that people in Syria have been living under very difficult conditions for more than 10 years, and remarked that this land should be the center of reproduction from music to literature, from cinema to various forms of art, and that they will provide all kinds of support to flourish the hopes of people living in the safe zone.

“WE CULTIVATE TRUST, NOT PERCEPTION”

Prof. Ateş said: “We have approximately a thousand activities every year. All these activities have one common denominator, one message. It is to cultivate trust in all those who were created. As Yunus Emre Institute, we do not cultivate perception or an image. We only strive to cultivate trust, for trust is a basic human need.”

Answering questions in relation to the number of Yunus Emre Institute centers worldwide, Ateş stated that YEI has opened 64 centers in the world as of its 11^th year.

Ateş remarked that they had opened a center in Afrin after Azaz and actually started activities in Al-Bab, and expressed that they would support the development of Syrians in the fields of language, culture and arts.

“WE ARE HERE TO FLOURISH THE HOPES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE SAFE ZONE”

Noting that people in Syria have been living in harsh conditions for more than 10 years, Ateş said: “People have not been able to express themselves culturally. These lands should be the center of reproduction; from music to literature, from cinema to various forms of art. In that respect, we saw in our most recent 'We Coalesce As We Remember' event that we need to reminisce about our shared and beautiful past. But without being stuck in the past, we must choose our fates today ourselves. For that reason, we are here to flourish the hopes of people living in the safe zone and we are willing to provide support, in any way we can.”

Prof.  Ateş also addressed a question about the Yunus Emre Institute becoming a brand for Turkish language learning.

Pointing out that it is extremely valuable that the Turkish language is becoming prominent again, Ateş stated that they have been producing material for teaching foreigners Turkish for 11 years and that they are making efforts to make Turkish an international language.

“WE CAN ONCE AGAIN BUILD OUR SHARED FUTURE WITH THE PEOPLES, CULTURE AND LANGAUGE HERE”

Expressing that language is the first step of creation,  Prof.  Ateş said: "Whatever we produce in the world, we produce in our own language. We must be conscious of our own language. Especially in this area, we must be confident in ourselves. People from afar, from across the ocean should not have to come here to take a stand. We can once again build our shared future with the peoples, culture and language here. The Yunus Emre Institute is in this area to contribute to this beautiful development.”

Prof. Ateş advised the Azazi and Syrian people not to fall into despair despite everything, and gave an example of Europe's rebirth and strength after the destruction and damage that took place in World War II.

“AS LONG AS WE BREATHE, THERE IS HOPE”

Expressing that there is hope as long as we breathe, Ateş said: “This is why Yunus Emre attached importance to breathing, for people revive every moment. That is why the Muslim people here must remain hopeful. They must make their own destiny. That is why there is no need for pessimism and depression. All can be rebuilt; all can be made more beautiful. It is beneficial to the region to go on this journey with hope, alongside Turkey.”

After the broadcast, Turkish poets Ozan Nihat and Aşık Kaptani performed their arts with their instruments.

TURKISH POETS MET WITH SYRIANS

Carrying out various cultural activities in northern Syria, Yunus Emre Institute, added a new one to its long list of activities for the people of the area. Turkish folk poets came together with Syrians as part of the cultural activities of Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) in Azaz district on 5 January 2021.

Yunus Emre Institute opened a Turkish course for gifted students during the day in Azaz, and organized a mini concert for the people of the region.

Folk poets showed their skills at the "call-and-response duet" held in the Yunus Emre Institute conference hall in the district.

Deputy Governor of Kilis Ömer Yılmaz, representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), representatives of the Azaz local council and many people from the area attended the program, which was organized to support and give morale to the people of the area.

The people of the area cheered for the duets and folk songs of the Turkish poets with their applause.