The 8th Dilek Sabanci Theater Festival, organized by Selçuk University and Sabanci Foundation, started within the scope of "Spring Festivals in Selçuk". Within the framework of the festival, which will end on May 15, a theater play will meet with theater lovers at Selçuk University Dilek Sabancı State Conservatory every day at 20.00 free of charge.

Faculty members, students and many theater lovers attended the opening ceremony of the festival held at Selçuk University Dilek Sabancı State Conservatory.

The opening ceremony started with a concert of instrumental works presented by the faculty members of the Traditional Turkish Music Department, Turkish Art Music Department of the Dilek Sabanci State Conservatory.

"OUR CONSERVATORY HAS BROUGHT IMPORTANT VALUES"

In his speech at the opening of the festival, Selçuk University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Emrullah Eken said that Dilek Sabancı Theater Festival has been organized since 2013. Stating that the Sabancı family attaches great importance to social responsibility and culture and arts activities, Prof. Dr. Eken said that SU Dilek Sabancı State Conservatory has brought important values in the field of performing arts and music. Prof. Dr. Eken noted that countries that grow up with art come to the forefront in every field and wished the festival to be beneficial.

Selçuk University Dilek Sabancı State Conservatory Director Prof. Dr. Oğuz Karakaya said, "Our conservatory continues to bear precious fruits in the fields of theater, opera and traditional Turkish music. At the core of this tree is the sense of sharing abundance, respect, love, tolerance, science and art. This sharing is taking place for the 8th time this year. We would like to thank Selçuk University Rectorate, Hacı Ömer Sabancı Foundation Management and the precious Sabancı family."

Prof. Dr. Dilek Zerenler, Head of the Department of Performing Arts, said, "I would like to thank all our students from the 1st grade to the 4th grade who took part in the two plays to be staged by our Department of Theater, and all our professors in our Department of Theater who guided them."

"NEARLY 18 THOUSAND THEATER LOVERS ACCOMPANIED THE STAGE EXCITEMENT OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE"

Hilal Yöney, Sabancı Foundation's Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs, stated that Sabancı Foundation attaches great importance to encouraging young people to be interested in the arts, especially theater: "We attach importance to making art accessible to the masses and inspiring many people. We are proud to organize the Dilek Sabancı Theater Festival, which brings us together here today, at Selçuk University. So far, 860 actors from 14 different universities have met with theater lovers in Konya with a total of 43 plays at Dilek Sabanci Theater Festival.

After the speeches, plaques were presented to the guests of honor who contributed to the organization of the festival and the development of the Conservatory.

Afterwards, SU Faculty of Fine Arts Ceramics Department Assist. Assist. Selim Çınar and his students opened the "Ceramic Okarina Exhibition". Then the play "The Sickness Patient" directed by Konya State Theater Artist and Assistant Director Yiğit Gümüşada was staged.

Within the scope of the festival, "Keşanlı Ali Epic" by Atatürk University on May 11, "Fire Prayer" by Kocaeli University on May 12, and "Kıl Payı" by Anadolu University on May 13 will meet with theater lovers. On May 14, Çukurova University will stage the play "Beyond the Walls" and on May 15, Selçuk University will stage the play "In the Nail".