Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Business and Economics, Department of Business Administration organized a seminar titled “Yahya Kemal Beyatlı’nın Şehirleri: Üsküp, İstanbul, Ankara / Cities of Kahya Kemal Beyatlı: Skopje, Istanbul, Ankara” with the contributions of Gönyeli – Alayköy Municipality. Held on 2 December – the birthday of Yahya Kemal Beyatlı – the seminar was attended by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç, Gönyeli – Alayköy Mayor Hüseyin Amcaoğlu, Business and Economics Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mustafa Besim, Business Administration Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burak Erkut, faculty members and students.
Moderated by EMU Department of Business Administration academic staff member Prof. Dr. Deniz İşçioğlu, the event featured presentations by Gönyeli – Alayköy Mayor Hüseyin Amcaoğlu, Prof. Dr. Kemal Görmez and Prof. Dr. Orçun İmga.
In her opening speech, Prof. Dr. İşçioğlu talked about Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, providing information about his life. Thanking everyone who contributed in realizing the event, Prof. Dr. İşçioğlu noted that the seminar would focus on Yahya Kemal Beyatlı’s dual role as an artist and politician, and highlight the need for collaboration between art and politics in local governments.
In his speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burak Erkut, Head of Department of Business Administration, also provided insights on Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, stating; “to understand Beyatlı, one must grasp the essence of the cities he breathed, wandered, yearned for, and immortalized in his poetry”. Adding more, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erkut conveyed his hope that the event serves as a gateway opening to the journey of getting to know and loving Yahya Kemal Beyatlı.
Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç highlighted that EMU continues its artistic initiatives and explained that the seminar will focus on the three cities associated with Yahya Kemal Beyatlı. He noted that these cities represent more than just physical locations—they convey the poet’s sensitivity, viewpoint, and pivotal moments. Prof. Dr. Kılıç added that the seminar will examine the meanings of these cities from Beyatlı’s perspective and expressed his belief that the discussions will provide researchers in the field with fresh insights.
Following the opening speeches, Gönyeli – Alayköy Mayor Hüseyin Amcaoğlu, Prof. Dr. Kemal Görmez and Prof. Dr. Orçun İmga explored the life and cities of the renowned poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, tracing his journey from his birthplace in Skopje to Istanbul and later Ankara. They also analyzed his perception of these cities within their historical and cultural contexts from an academic standpoint.