Istanbul Gelisim University and Bakırköy Municipality Commemorated the February 6 Earthquakes

A commemoration program was held in collaboration between Istanbul Gelisim University and Bakırköy Municipality to honor those who lost their lives in the February 6 earthquakes, preserve collective memory, and strengthen disaster awareness. Hosted by Bakırköy Municipality, the event attracted significant attention through its academic contributions, artistic works, and awareness initiatives.

Exhibition, Commemoration, and Solidarity in One Program

The commemoration program was organized by the IGU Vocational School of Health Services Career and Alumni Commission. The earthquake photography exhibition titled “February 6: What Remains of That Day”, curated by Lecturer Ebru Cengiz, was presented to visitors.
The exhibition featured photographs documenting the earthquake experience, captured by Assoc. Prof. Nuri Sezer from the IGU Faculty of Fine Arts, Asst. Prof. Kemal Çipe, and Asst. Prof. Özden Toprak from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University.
Additionally, a dedicated panel displayed the personal reflections of IGU students who directly experienced the earthquake, adding a powerful testimonial dimension to the exhibition.
As part of the program, 11 olive saplings were planted, symbolizing the 11 provinces affected by the February 6 earthquakes. The planting ceremony honored the memories of the lives lost while emphasizing solidarity and healing.

Panel: “Is Bakırköy Ready for an Earthquake?”

Within the scope of the commemoration program, a panel titled “Is Bakırköy Ready for an Earthquake?” addressed the realities of earthquakes from scientific, psychological, and administrative perspectives.
Speakers included Bakırköy Mayor Assoc. Prof. Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu and Asst. Prof. Bülent Tansel from the IGU Department of Psychology, who delivered a presentation titled “Disasters and Humans: Coping Mechanisms for Earthquake Trauma.”
Other speakers were Prof. Haluk Eyidoğan, Assoc. Prof. Burcu Zeybek from Istanbul University, Res. Asst. Remzi Soytürk from the IGU Disaster and Emergency Management Coordination Unit, and Haluk Özener, the Istanbul Provincial Director of AFAD. The panel explored earthquake realities, risks, preparedness processes, and institutional responsibilities.
A short film featuring footage from the February 6 earthquakes was also screened.

“This is a Responsibility We All Share”

During her speech, Bakırköy Mayor Assoc. Prof. Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu stated:
“If we are still at this point, we truly need to confront this painful reality. What are we leaving incomplete? I believe we must progress quickly in this field. As a new member of the Healthy Cities Union, I would like to express that we will take part in these efforts with pride and enthusiasm. This is a holistic project, and this responsibility belongs to all of us.”
The commemoration program once again highlighted the importance of collaboration between Istanbul Gelisim University and Bakırköy Municipality in fostering disaster awareness, strengthening societal consciousness, and supporting sustainable preparedness efforts.