Hosted by Üsküdar University and organized jointly by the Faculty of Communication Department of Public Relations and Publicity and the Center for Solution-Focused Studies on Women’s Issues (ÜSÇÖZÜM), the fifth International Feminenartfest brought together women artists and art enthusiasts from many different fields. Numerous awards were presented during the event, and this year Üsküdar University academicians were also among the recipients of the National Honor Awards.
Üsküdar University Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör emphasized the significance of gathering at Üsküdar University every year and stated that artists guide society.
The event took place at the Üsküdar University Main Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall. The art consultant of the festival was Tamer Levent, while the festival directors were Vedat Akdamar, Özlem Barlok, Şenay Akdamar, and Nihal Konçu Akhuy.
During the event, which highlighted women’s creative contributions, National Honor Awards were presented to women who have achieved significant success in various fields. Opening speeches were delivered by Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör and Actor and Author Tamer Levent.
Prof. Nazife Güngör: “We teach, but you inspire creativity”
In her opening speech, Rector Prof. Nazife Güngör stated that the university encourages artistic production as much as scientific education. She said: “It is a great honor for us to host such wonderful artists, Authors, thinkers, and intellectuals here at our university. You are the brighter and illuminating side of Türkiye. We teach, but you inspire creativity. You help people recognize their innate yet often passive creative energy and guide them toward activating it. Your presence alone brings warmth and joy to us. We are truly happy to be with you.”
Actor and Author Tamer Levent: “When the concept of art is mentioned, we believe it is what will save us”
Actor and Author Tamer Levent emphasized that art is not only a profession but also a vital way of life that counters the decline of social communication and encourages analytical thinking: “When asked what art means, many say it is emotion. Yet does the mind not play a role? We now live in a time when we understand that language, behavior, and body language are all components of art. As artificial intelligence imitates the brain, we fear that people may become increasingly mechanical. That fear is not about robots controlling humanity but about humans tending toward robot-like thinking when they fail to renew their mental processes. Therefore, we believe that the concept of art is what will guide us. I hope that a ray of artistic light spreads from here to the world.”
National Honor Awards presented
Women who achieved remarkable success in fields such as acting, academia, writing, vocal performance, photography, public relations, painting, engineering, and glass art received National Honor Awards.
The award recipients included the following: Theatre critic Suna Keskin, Eyüpsultan Municipality Director of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs Sema İnci, Author Irmak Zileli, Author Burçak Gönül, Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Soloist Perihan Diana Nayır, Photographer Necla Orhan, Public Relations Specialist Derya Özgören, Art collector Sibel Tümay Ateş, Vocal Artist and Performer Gonca Birol Bahar, Painter Halime Türkyılmaz, Project Engineer and Glass Artist Gülden Abacı, and Founder and President of TOÇEV Ebru Uygun.
Awards presented to Üsküdar University academicians
Üsküdar University Rector Advisor Prof. Gökben Hızlı Sayar and Faculty of Communication Public Relations and Publicity Department academic Asst. Prof. Nejla Polat also received National Honor Awards.
Prof. Feride Zeynep Güder, academic in the Department of New Media and Communication, presented the award to Vocal Artist Gonca Birol Bahar, who later performed a short concert.
Prof. Gökben Hızlı Sayar expressed her gratitude and emphasized the great value of art
Rector Advisor Prof. Gökben Hızlı Sayar, who was deemed worthy of the National Honor Award, expressed her gratitude and emphasized the great value of art.
Asst. Prof. Nejla Polat: “Art is a space of awareness and freedom”
Asst. Prof. Nejla Polat stated that art is one of the most aesthetic forms of self-expression and added: “When women raise themselves as conscious, sensible, and self-aware individuals, it contributes to both their personal development and the societies in which they live. Societies rise with knowledge, culture, and art. Art is a space of awareness and freedom. Its presence in human life contributes to the formation of a contemporary, productive, liberal, and democratic society. With the establishment of the democratic and secular Republic in our country, women have gained greater access to artistic fields. Women who became prominent in different art forms have pioneered significant social transformation as well as aesthetic progress.”
Dozens of other accomplished women artists also received honorary plaques.
Exhibition and book signing
As part of the event, an exhibition by Nihal Konçu Akhuy was presented to visitors in the foyer area. Afterwards, Actor and Author Tamer Levent signed his books for readers.
The event concluded with a group photo session.