Art Fluttered Its Wings in Bird Sanctuary: Artists from 24 Countries Met in Bandirma

Art Fluttered Its Wings in Bird Sanctuary: Artists from 24 Countries Met in Bandirma

 

This year, Bandırma hosted a meaningful event where nature and art are intertwined. Organized as part of the 24th International Bandırma Bird Sanctuary Culture and Tourism Festival, the International Jury Bandırma Bird Sanctuary Poster Festival Exhibition brought together the works of artists from 24 different countries and presented them to the taste of art lovers in Cumhuriyet Square.

The exhibition, which was realized in cooperation with Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture and Bandırma Municipality, presented a powerful narrative in which nature inspired art. The exhibition, which was open between May 29 and June 1, 2025, included 100 posters prepared to raise awareness of nature conservation.

The opening ceremony was attended by Bandırma Deputy Mayor Niyazi Yeloğlu, Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Erçakar, Municipal Council Member Elif Didem Çidem, CHP Bandırma District Chairman Mehmet Atak, Women's Branch President Filiz Özdemir, university academics, students and many citizens.

The 300 posters submitted for the festival were meticulously evaluated by jury members with international experience in their fields. The 100 selected works brought together the quiet beauty of art, birds and nature with strong graphic expressions. Prof. Rosi Mihaylova, Prof. Arafat Al-Naim, Prof. Yusuf Keş, Assoc. Prof. Ersan Sarıkahya, Assoc. Refik Yalur, Assoc. İbrahim Yılmaz and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Uzuner took part.

In his opening speech, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Erçakar emphasized the contributions of the university in the field of culture and arts and said, "This special organization, where nature and art meet, carries an important message not only for Bandırma but also for our country and the world. It is the duty of all of us to create environmental awareness with the universal language of art."

At the end of the opening, a plaque of appreciation was presented to Prof. Dr. Erçakar on behalf of Bandırma Mayor Mr. Dursun Mirza. Then the ribbon was cut and the exhibition was opened to visitors. The posters, which transformed Cumhuriyet Square into an open-air art gallery, received full marks from the audience.