Yunus Emre Institute hosted GIFT University, one of Pakistan's leading universities, at its center in Istanbul.

GIFT University paid a visit to Turkey between 22-25 November 2021, within the framework of the cooperation protocol with the Institute, within the scope of the Turkish Academic and Scientific Cooperation Project (TABİP) carried out by Yunus Emre Institute under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey.

Yunus Emre Institute organized a special culture-arts program for GIFT University academics and students. 5 academicians and 20 students, including students who attended the Turkish courses of Yunus Emre Institute, came to Turkey and had the opportunity to get to know Turkish culture closely thanks to the program organized by the Institute.

TRADITIONAL TURKISH BREAKFAST INTRODUCED

On the first day of the program, a special event was organized to promote the traditional Turkish breakfast. At the event, after the presentation of Turkish breakfast varieties, breakfast was served to the participants. In the program where the importance of breakfast in Turkish culture was discussed, the guests gained important informations about Turkish food culture.

In the event, where the participants asked questions about Turkish food culture, the common points of Pakistani and Turkish culture were discussed. The program, which was accompanied by the Bosporus view, continued with a photo shoot. 

TURKISH COFFEE CULTURE INTRODUCED

On the second day of the program organized to promote Turkish culture, documentaries about Turkey were screened. In the talk event that took place after the screening of the documentaries, traditional Turkish coffee and Turkish delight were served to the participants and Turkish coffee culture was explained.

MARBLING WORKSHOP WITH MARBLING ARTIST DILEK KAYIR

During the artistic events held on the third day of the program, important information was shared about the art of marbling, the ney, one of the most important instruments of traditional Turkish music and Sufi music.

Ebru Artist Dilek Kayır organized a special workshop for the guests. Kayır, who gave lectures to the guests about the history and technique of the art of marbling, which has an important place among traditional Turkish handicrafts, accompanied the students who made marbling for the first time. In the workshop organized with the participation of Dilek Kayır, who showed the participants the intricacies of the art of marbling in practice, the students made many marbling works. Having the opportunity to experience the art of marbling, which is also known in Pakistan, the students experienced the joy of bringing the first works they produced in this field of art to their countries.

CONCERT BY THE FAMOUS NEY PERFORMER SERKAN KAMACI

After the marbling work, a ney concert was given to the guests by the famous Ney Player Serkan Kamacı. Kamacı gave information about Sufi music and performed important pieces of traditional Turkish music to the guests. During the concert, Kamacı also sang the works he composed from the speeches of Yunus Emre in his work "Divan". 

This beautiful day was celebrated with Pakistani academics and students in the program that coincided with the 24 November Teachers' Day. 

LEARNED NEW WORDS WITH TURKISH WORKSHOP

On the last day of the program, a “Turkish Workshop” was held with the participation of Melike İpek Erdem, Specialist in Yunus Emre Institute Turkish Teaching and Turcology Directorate. During the workshop, which was quite enjoyable, Turkish words were taught to the Pakistani participants. After the Turkish Workshop, Pakistani students performed their national dance with a side show. After the dance show, Turkish baklava was served to the participants and thus another world-famous taste of Turkish cuisine was introduced. At the end of the program, the guests were given certificates of participation and the program was finished off.