A ceremony was held on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language and History, Atatürk Research Center, and Atatürk Culture Center.

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On Thursday, August 17, 2023, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language and History, Atatürk Research Center, and Atatürk Culture Center, a ceremony was held in the Lieutenant General Suat İlhan Conference Hall of the Atatürk Supreme Council. In addition to the President of the Supreme Council, Ambassador Prof. Dr. Derya ÖRS, the Presidents, Vice Presidents, administrators of the Atatürk Supreme Council, and its employees attended the ceremony.

The opening speeches of the ceremony were delivered by Ambassador Prof. Dr. Derya ÖRS, as well as by the President of the Atatürk Culture Center, Dr. Zeki ERARSLAN, and the Acting President of the Atatürk Research Center, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güner DOĞAN.

 

ÖRS also expressed his thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to former presidents of Atatürk Supreme Council, namely Prof. Dr. Utkan KOCATÜRK, Prof Dr. Reşat GENÇ, Prof Dr. Sadık TURAL, Prof Dr. M Bahaeddin YEDİYILDIZ, Prof Dr. Muhammet HEKİMOĞLU and Prof Dr. Yüksel ÖZGEN, especially Lieutenant General Suat İLHAN, for their efforts during their term.

ÖRS underscored our commitment to taking up the duties conferred by our history and geography and affirmed that we will remain dedicated to serving our nation as we approach the centenary of the Republic’s birth. ÖRS also stated that the Atatürk Supreme Council, which publishes the most books and periodicals among public institutions in Turkey, has made significant contributions to our country in art, science, folklore, and social sciences.

Expressing that our efforts, both domestically and internationally, have been acknowledged, ÖRS also conveyed his gratitude to all the personnel of the Atatürk Supreme Council who have contributed to and dedicated their efforts to the works.

 

Dr. Zeki ERARSLAN, the President of the Atatürk Culture Center, talked about the significant projects initiated by the Atatürk Culture Center in the past and currently ongoing. Within the scope of the “Turkish Folk Tale Compilation Project,” Dr. ERARSLAN mentioned that they have compiled folk tales from Turkish culture, and these tales are planned to be made available on October 29 through an e-store catering to children and parents.

Dr. ERARSLAN also expressed that another important project involves the translation of the biographies of prominent figures who have shaped the Turkish state and intellectual life into ten languages. He added that, within this year, in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye, the biographies of Fatih Sultan Mehmet (Mehmed the Conqueror) and Gazi Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK will be published in ten languages. He also said these publications will be distributed to other countries with the collaboration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güner DOĞAN, the Acting President of the Atatürk Research Center, emphasized the activities carried out by the Atatürk Research Center over the 40 years. DOĞAN provided information about the Institution’s publications and brought up the work related to the Institution’s archive.

With the aim of preserving, evaluating, promoting, and passing on our cultural and natural heritage to future generations, thus strengthening national identity and consciousness, Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language and History was established on August 17, 1983. The Atatürk Supreme Council, established on August 17, 1983, encompasses the Turkish Historical Society (founded in 1931), Turkish Language Association (founded in 1932), Atatürk Research Center (ATAM), and Atatürk Culture Center (AKM). These four specialized institutions conducting scientific studies on the Turkish language, history, culture, and all aspects of Atatürk and his work, have been operating under the umbrella of the Atatürk Supreme Council since 1983.

In order for the institutions to engage in more effective scientific activities, a Decree with the Force of Law on the Organization and Duties of the Atatürk Supreme Council for Culture, Language and History, numbered 664, was issued. High Advisory Board, Board of Directors, and Departments constitute the Atatürk Supreme Council, which has been transformed into an academic structure by establishing the Scientific Boards and sub-committees of the institutions within it, as well as providing scientific research opportunities.

Over 150 academics specializing in their respective fields serve as members of the Scientific Boards established in the four institutions within our organization. These Scientific Boards and sub-committees shape our institutions’ scientific activities and influence language, history, and cultural policies.