The International Symposium on Alevism and Bektashism in the Balkans held in Edirne ended with an evaluation meeting.
Dean of Trakya University Faculty of Letters and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Symposium, Prof. Dr. Müberra Gürgendereli stated that the symposium was completed successfully at the meeting held at the Balkan Congress Center.
Thanking those who contributed to the symposium, Gürgendereli emphasized that the papers presented in the sessions contained very productive and satisfying information.
Then, the session chairmen of the symposium evaluated the papers published in the meetings.
Balıkesir University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Satı Kumartaşlıoğlu said that he tried to follow all the papers at the symposium.
Stating that 4 papers were presented in the hall where he chaired the session, Kumartaşlıoğlu said, “The tradition of Alevism and Bektashism spreads over a wide geography from Anatolia to the Balkans. The 4 papers presented were papers that opened doors for us by approaching the culture of Bektashism from different angles, especially in different parts of the Balkan geography.” he said.
Marmara University Faculty Member Assoc. Dr. Neval Konuk Halaçoğlu said that there are many lodges and shrines in the Balkan geography, and that the surviving shrines and lodges should be transferred to the digital environment with the information and documents at hand before they disappear or change.
“Young people should listen to us, let’s listen to the young people”
İnönü University Faculty of Letters Lecturer Prof. Dr. Mehmet Dönmez said that young people should actively participate in such symposiums so that culture and traditions are not forgotten.
Stating that it is necessary to pave the way for young people in scientific studies, Dönmez said:
” Postgraduate education on Alevism is currently being carried out in three universities in Turkey. My suggestion is that students who have master’s degrees and doctorate degrees on Alevism should be invited to the symposium in the future. Let the young people listen to us, let us listen to the young people. We should not bring young people together, especially with our teachers coming from abroad. .
Otherwise, I say it sincerely, we cannot go beyond saying ‘The blind and the deaf welcome each other’ from the university. So the professors here already know each other, we are already aware of the studies. We need to go beyond this, we need to include especially young people in these studies and guide them. Citizens should also participate in such symposiums. If necessary, we should go around with buses and gather the people. Because we must spread the information to the grassroots.”
“They spread love and kindness wherever they went.”
Alevi-Bektashi Culture and Cemevi Presidency Vice President Hasan Ali Uzun also thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the symposium.
Explaining that the spirit of Alevism and Bektashism spread love, goodness and Islamic belief to Anatolia and the Balkans, Uzun said, “Wherever our saints went, they conquered great hearts. They spread goodness to the lands they went to and lived in without expecting anything in return. This is a great feeling. It is a great feeling that the lands were not won with the sword, but only by the conquest of hearts.” We see that all our saints achieved this. They spread love and kindness wherever they went.” he said.
“We will continue to come together with grandfathers, fathers and loved ones”
Edirne Culture and Tourism Director Kemal Soytürk said that they are aware of the cultural heritage and richness in the Balkans.
Explaining that they established the Balkan Cities Cooperation Platform upon the instruction of Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer, Soytürk stated that the platform carries out important work for the Balkans.
Stating that they hosted a very important symposium for two days, Soytürk said, “I think it was a nice symposium. I hope that these declarations in the symposium, which will be turned into a book, will be a guide for decision makers and policy makers. We came together with grandfathers, fathers and loved ones in Edirne We will keep coming.” he said.
Trakya University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Gülay Apa Kurtişoğlu, Nevşehir Hacı Baktaş Veli University Faculty Member Bayram Durbilmez and Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University Faculty Member Fahri Maden also thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the symposium.
