Haberler
01.08.2026
"Lifetime Honour Award" award to two great artists
At the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, the "Lifetime Honour Award in Culture and Art" was given this year to legendary names of Turkish cinema and theatre, Selma Güneri and Mustafa Alabora.
Emotional moments were experienced at the ceremony held at the Kültürpark Kemal Sunal Amphitheatre. During master artist Selma Güneri's speech, upon her words "If it weren't for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, there would be no art," thousands of art lovers present at the amphitheatre stood up and sang the İzmir March together in unison. This meaningful moment, which received great applause, became one of the unforgettable images of the night.
"Lifetime Honour Award" given to 2 master names
At the award ceremony held within the scope of the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, organised in cooperation with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Büyükçekmece Municipality, Selma Güneri and Mustafa Alabora, who have made valuable contributions to Turkish cinema and theatre for many years, were honoured for their efforts in the world of culture and art. Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece Municipality Hakan Çebi and FIDAF Co-President and Vice Chairman of the Festival Committee H. Gürhan Ozanoğlu, who presented the award, thanked the master artists.
Hakan Çebi: "They added value to our country's cultural heritage with their artistic lives."
Speaking at the award ceremony, Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece Municipality Hakan Çebi expressed his pleasure at hosting two master names of Turkish cinema and theatre in Büyükçekmece and said the following: "At the Lifetime Honour Award in Culture and Art Ceremony, where we honour our valuable artists who have devoted a lifetime to art, inspired generations with their works, and left lasting marks on our cultural life, I feel great honour in hosting two precious names of Turkish cinema and theatre, Ms. Selma Güneri and Mr. Mustafa Alabora, in our Büyükçekmece, and in presenting them with this meaningful award. On behalf of my fellow citizens of Büyükçekmece, I extend my love and respect to our valuable artists who have added value to our country's cultural heritage with their lives devoted to art, and I thank them for their valuable contributions to our cultural and artistic life."
Selma Güneri: "If it weren't for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, there would be no art."
Master artist Selma Güneri, who experienced emotional moments while receiving her award, thanked the art lovers who supported her throughout her artistic life and expressed her respect for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, saying: "Endless thanks for this wonderful applause, before anything else. This is the power of art. This power of art has once again brought us together, united us here tonight. We worked for years and years. You applauded, you supported. We received our awards together with you. We received them thanks to you. We owe you a debt of gratitude, ladies and gentlemen. We owe you so much. Please accept the thanks, respect, love, and gratitude of years. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be here. If it weren't for him, there would be no art. If it weren't for him, there would be no sport. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk."
Mustafa Alabora: "I am receiving this award on behalf of my son."
Master artist Mustafa Alabora, the great figure of Turkish theatre who has inspired generations, dedicated the award he received to his son Mehmet Ali Alabora and said: "You gave great applause for a series I made with my son Mehmet Ali. I was very happy. So I am receiving this award on behalf of my son too."
Emotional moments were experienced at the ceremony held at the Kültürpark Kemal Sunal Amphitheatre. During master artist Selma Güneri's speech, upon her words "If it weren't for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, there would be no art," thousands of art lovers present at the amphitheatre stood up and sang the İzmir March together in unison. This meaningful moment, which received great applause, became one of the unforgettable images of the night.
"Lifetime Honour Award" given to 2 master names
At the award ceremony held within the scope of the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, organised in cooperation with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Büyükçekmece Municipality, Selma Güneri and Mustafa Alabora, who have made valuable contributions to Turkish cinema and theatre for many years, were honoured for their efforts in the world of culture and art. Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece Municipality Hakan Çebi and FIDAF Co-President and Vice Chairman of the Festival Committee H. Gürhan Ozanoğlu, who presented the award, thanked the master artists.
Hakan Çebi: "They added value to our country's cultural heritage with their artistic lives."
Speaking at the award ceremony, Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece Municipality Hakan Çebi expressed his pleasure at hosting two master names of Turkish cinema and theatre in Büyükçekmece and said the following: "At the Lifetime Honour Award in Culture and Art Ceremony, where we honour our valuable artists who have devoted a lifetime to art, inspired generations with their works, and left lasting marks on our cultural life, I feel great honour in hosting two precious names of Turkish cinema and theatre, Ms. Selma Güneri and Mr. Mustafa Alabora, in our Büyükçekmece, and in presenting them with this meaningful award. On behalf of my fellow citizens of Büyükçekmece, I extend my love and respect to our valuable artists who have added value to our country's cultural heritage with their lives devoted to art, and I thank them for their valuable contributions to our cultural and artistic life."
Selma Güneri: "If it weren't for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, there would be no art."
Master artist Selma Güneri, who experienced emotional moments while receiving her award, thanked the art lovers who supported her throughout her artistic life and expressed her respect for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, saying: "Endless thanks for this wonderful applause, before anything else. This is the power of art. This power of art has once again brought us together, united us here tonight. We worked for years and years. You applauded, you supported. We received our awards together with you. We received them thanks to you. We owe you a debt of gratitude, ladies and gentlemen. We owe you so much. Please accept the thanks, respect, love, and gratitude of years. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be here. If it weren't for him, there would be no art. If it weren't for him, there would be no sport. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk."
Mustafa Alabora: "I am receiving this award on behalf of my son."
Master artist Mustafa Alabora, the great figure of Turkish theatre who has inspired generations, dedicated the award he received to his son Mehmet Ali Alabora and said: "You gave great applause for a series I made with my son Mehmet Ali. I was very happy. So I am receiving this award on behalf of my son too."