2. IDIL BIRET(1941- )
İdil Biret is a Turkish concert pianist, renowned for her
interpretations of the Romantic repertoire. Idil Biret started to play
the piano at the age of three and began her lessons at the age of
five. When she was seven, the Turkish parliament enacted a
special law which enabled her to study abroad, studying at the
Paris Conservatory in France. She graduated at the age of fifteen
with three first prizes. She was a pupil of Alfred Cortot and a
lifelong disciple of Wilhelm Kempff who considered her as her best
student and said :"My favourite disciple Idil Biret... This genius
pianist belongs to the class of elect musicians of our time."
She embarked on her career as a soloist at the age of
sixteen, appearing with major orchestras. Biret's wide repertoire
encompasses much of the late Classical and Romantic piano
literature. She is best known for her Chopin recordings, which won
her the prestigious 'Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin' in
Poland in 1995. In 2007 the Polish President decorated Biret with
the Distinguished Service Order – Cavalry Cross for her
contribution to Polish culture through her recordings and
performances of Chopin’s music. Biret has been a State Artist
since 1971, an honorary title issued to artists by the government of
Turkey for their contributions into the Turkish culture.

3. BARIŞ MANÇO ( 1943-1999)
Barış Manço was a Turkish rock singer, composer, and television producer. He composed about 200 songs,
some of which were translated into a variety of languages including English, Japanese, Greek, Italian, Bulgarian,
Romanian, Persian, Hebrew and Arabic. He remains one of the most popular public figures of Turkey. He recorded
cover versions of some of popular American twist songs and rearrangements of Turkish folk songs in rock and roll
form, marking the beginning of the Anatolian rock movement, a synthesis of Turkish folk music and rock. In this
period, his key visual and musical influence was Elvis Presley. He recorded his first hit single, both in Turkey and in
Belgium, Mountains, Mountains, selling over 700,000 copies.Today, the song remains one of his most popular works
In 1988, From age 7 to 77, a TV show directed and presented by Manço began to run on the national TV
channel of Turkey. It was a combined music, talk show and documentary program which was a major hit during the 8
years it stayed on air. Manço travelled almost 150 countries for the show. "Adam Olacak Çocuk" , a part of the show,
strengthened Manço's acceptance among children. In 1999 Barış Manço died of a sudden heart attack. His visual
image, characterized by his long hair, mustache and big rings. Barış Manço was one of the most influential Turkish
musicians. In his early career he and his bands contributed to the Turkish rock movement by combining traditional
Turkish music with rock influences, which is still one of the main trends of Turkish popular music. His
experimentation with electronic instruments in the late 1980s contributed to the 1990s sound of Turkish popular
music.

4. MEVLANA ( 1207-1273) Mevlana Celaddiin-i Rumi is a 13th - born century
Muslim saint , Anatolian mystic and the father of the Mevlevi
Order known throughout the world for his exquisite poems and
words of wisdom, which have been translated into many
languages. Rumi, as he is known in the west, is the best selling
poet in USA. The United Nations declared 2007 The Year of
Rumi and celebrations were held world wide. Mevlana's
philosophy is based on the love. His doctrine advocates
unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and
awareness through love. Mevlana’s love is universal.He loved
everyone without caring their race, religion and
language discrimination. To him all religions were more or less
truth. Mevlana looked with the same eye on Muslim, Jew and
Christian alike. His peaceful and tolerant teachings have
appealed to men of all sects and creeds. In 1958, Pope John
XXIII wrote a special message saying: “In the name of the
Catholic World, I bow with respect before the memory of
Rumi.”
His best-known book is Masnawi consisting of
stories inspired by the Quran’s teachings about all that is
created, as well as Hz. Mohammad’s words and their morals.
Every 17 December, the night of Mevlana's death, thousands of
Come, come again, whoever you are,come! people from all around the world gather at the magnificient
Heathen,fire worshipper oridolatrous,come! 13th century Mevlana Mausoleum to celebrate Seb-i Arus, his
Come even if you broke your penitence a 'Wedding Day', his reunion with his Beloved, God.
hundred times,
Ours is the portal of hope, come as you are…

5. NASREDDİN HODJA ( 1209- 1275)
 He was born in Akşehir. He lived during the middle ages around 13th century.
Nasreddin Hodja was populist philosopher, wit and wise man remembered for his funny
stories and jokes. He touched coultures around the world. Children adults and elders can
understand his jokes easily. Today Nasreddin Hodja stories are translated into many
languages. In many regions, he is a major part of the culture. He has been very popular
for his wisdom in many countries such as China , Greece and Bulgaria for many years and
still appears in movies, cartoons and novels.
People laugh , think and take lessons while listening to his stories that’s why his jokes
are instructive educational and entertaining. The "International Nasreddin Hoca Festival"
is held annually in Akşehir between July 5–10.1996–1997 was declared International
Nasreddin Year by UNESCO.Here is an example from his jokes ;

7. T. NEJAT VEZIROGLU( 1924 / - )
 Dr. Veziroglu graduated from the University of London , with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Heat
Transfer. Engineers are problem solvers. Nejat Veziroglu, being a Mechanical Engineer, has been interested
in global problems such as the depletion of fossil fuels and the environmental damage being caused by
their utilization, and the ways and means of solving them. Right after the energy crisis of 1973, he
established the Clean Energy Research Instituite (CERI) at the University of Miami, in order to find solutions
to the energy and environmental problems. He proposed hydrogen system as a permanent solution for
these problems.
 Soon after, the International Association for Hydrogen Energy (IAHE) was established, and Dr. Veziroglu
was elected the president.Dr. Veziroglu organized the first major conference on Hydrogen Energy. In 1976,
Dr. Veziroglu started publication of the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (IJHE) as its Editor-in-Chief.
Now it publishes twenty-four issues a year. He has published some 350 papers and scientific reports, edited
160 volumes of books and proceedings, and has co-authored the book “Solar Hydrogen Energy: The Power
to Save the Earth”. He has been the recipient of several international awards: the Turkish Presidential
Science Award in 1974, the Energy for Mankind Award by the Global Energy Society in 1986. In 2000, he
was nominated for Nobel Prize in Economics. Nejat Veziroglu recently retired from the University of Miami.
He has been a faculty member at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering for the past 47
years. He founded Clean Energy Research Institute 36 years ago, where he was the serving director. He is 87
years old now but going on his researches.

8. MİMAR SİNAN ( 1490- 1588)
MASTER BUILDER OF THE 16TH CENTURY OTTOMAN MOSQUES
Architect Sinan was the most celebrated of all Ottoman architects, whose ideas,
perfected in the construction of mosques and other buildings ; The number of projects Sinan
undertook is massive—79 mosques, 34 palaces, 33 public baths, 19 tombs, 55 schools, 16
poorhouses, 7 madrasahs (religious schools), and 12 caravansaries, in addition to fountains,
aqueducts, and hospitals. During his tenure during 50 years of the post of imperial architect,
Sinan is said to have constructed or supervised 476 buildings--196 of which still survive. His
works are spread from the Balkans, through Anatolia to Damascus, Syria and even Jerusalem.
Mimar Sinan, the Chief of Architects to the Sultans from 1538 to 1588, experimented boldly
with domed structure and interior space in a vast array of mosques. Although his early
mosques built around 1540 show mastery of his profession, he was able to progress over the
next twenty years towards a peak in the creation of the Selimiye mosque in Edirne. Since
then he has been known as the most successful Chief Architects in history.
He is considered the greatest architect of the classical period of Ottoman
architecture, and has been compared to Michelangelo, his contemporary in the West.
Michelangelo and his plans for St. Peter's Basilica in Rome were well-known in Istanbul. it is
also likely that he had contact with the designs of Renaissance figures including
Michelangelo. His work was also to influence that of the most ambitious architects of the
Italian Renaissance, as theirs was to affect his. That’s why Mimar Sinan is known as the
Ottoman architect who linked East and west culturally by architecture.

9. The Suleymaniye Mosque Palladio's St Giorgio Maggiore in Venice
has more or less the same style of the
one of Istanbul's distinguishing
works of Sinan
landmarks
Mostar Bridge in Bosnia and Herzegovina Mağlova Aqueduct in Istanbul

10. EVLİYA ÇELEBİ (1611 – 1684)
Evliya Çelebi was one of the most celebrated Ottoman travelers, who
journeyed for more than 40 years throughout the territories of the
Ottoman Empire and adjacent lands from Belgrade to Baghdad, Russia to
the Balkans ,Hungary to Austria and Mecca to Egypt, sometimes as an
official representative of the government and sometimes on his own. The
result of these travels was his masterwork, the Seyahatname (Book of
Travel). This work is also referred to many travel writers. The Book of
Travels is a unique geographical, social, cultural and linguistic record of the
places and the Book of Travels are available in English, French or German
in modern studies.
Historical travellers’ routes in Anatolia indicate that most segments of
the route followed by Evliya Çelebi on this journey were distinct by other
western travelers. We might assume that he had a curiosity about life
away from the towns and this also makes him a compelling and distinctive
Ottoman figure. That’s why he is still known and accepted as a good
observer, sociologist and a master narrator and Council of Europe
respects him as the man among the twenty people who are the most
contributing to the fusion of different cultures in human history such as
Confucius, Marco Polo, Leonardo da Vinci, etc.
2011 is the 400th anniversary of the birth of Evliya Çelebi. UNESCO
included the 400th anniversary of Ottoman traveler and scholar Evliya
Celebi's birth to its timetable for celebration of anniversaries. For his book
the Seyahatname he said: “It is so good that i have written about the
things i saw. Everybody’s sat without being tired but learned. I still have
been exhausted.”

11. MAHMUT GAZI YASARGIL
Mahmut Gazi Yaşargil is a Turkish medical scientist and neurosurgeon . He
is the founder of microneurosurgery. Yaşargil treated epilepsy and brain
tumors with instruments of his own design. From 1953 until his retirement
in 1993 he was chief resident then professor and chairman of the
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Zurich. Over the next 20 years,
he carried out laboratory work and clinical applications of micro techniques,
performing 7500 intracranial operations in Zurich . In 1999 he was honored
as "Neurosurgery’s Man of the Century " .
To enable the advancement of microsurgical techniques, he created
innovative instrumentation, such as the floating microscope, the self-
retaining adjustable retractor, microsurgical instruments, and ergonomic
aneurysm clips and appliers.
Gazi Yasargil known as the father of microneurosurgery. He is hailed as
one of the greatest neurosurgeons of the twentieth century. He has helped
three generations of neurosurgeons, defining what is possible in
neurosurgery, and then demonstrating how to achieve it. In the micro-
neurosurgical anatomical laboratory in Zurich he trained around 3000
colleagues from all continents and representing all surgical specialties. He
participated in several hundred national and international neurosurgical
congresses, symposia, and courses as an invited guest. He is in high regard
in the Turkish society and is respected as an exemplary role model for
Turkish youth. He is in the list of pioneer surgeons worldwide.
He created ergonomic aneurysm clips and
appliers.

12. UMRAN BARADAN ( 1945-2011)
Umran BARADAN was ceramic tile artist. She was born in İzmir ,Turkey.While attending
Ankara faculty, she won a scholarship and went to Bildeden fine arts school in Vienna.When she
started painting, she was 17 years old.In 1968 she was asked to draw pictures for medical books in
Dallas ,USA. She worked there for two years.
Umran Baradan has many ceramic tile paintings all over the World. Her tiles are displayed
in Ayasophia and Topkapi Museums in Istanbul, İzmir Fine Arts Museum, Bosnia Museum, New Delhi
Museum, Jakarta Museum, and some others.
She used many traditional and typical Turkish old designs and motifs around her panels
like a frame. The harmony of colours,the composition she created and her special techniques in her
work of arts are the reasons why she is accepted as one of the best artists all over the world. Her
each panel paintings were only made once.
She gained her first international identification in 1985 as a represantative of Turkey. In
1994 she was selected as within 100 most successful women of the world. Umran Baradan was the
president of International Women Solidarity associatıon ( IWSA).As a president she worked hard to
create and survive the peace all around the world by helping the successful women.Her aim is to let
all the people love each other without concerning about the differences between races, religions or
languages.
She always loved being in such cultural and social activities and making projects with women
and also with children.She was always together with children at summer art school to pass on her
knowledge and experience to the world children. For her love for the children she established
Turkey's first and world’s third child’s museum in Konak, Izmir. In 2007 She established Izmir Fine Arts
museum at Çiniliköy, Kemalpaşa. In New York in 1989 by the head of the International Artists
Association she was elected to honorary membership. In her whole life she took many awards and
went on giving magnificent work of arts which are the best examples to make everybody in the
world know and learn the style of the Turkish ceramics and tiles.

13. Ceromic murrols of artist Baradan.
The birds at the smoky canyon.
Restoration of Tile Work in Izmir Konak Mosque

14. MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATÜRK (1881-1938)
ATATURK, FOUNDER OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC AND THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF
THE REPUBLIC
He was an army officer, revolutionary statesman, writer of Nutuk ( Great Speech),
and the first President of Turkey. He is the founder of the modern Turkish state.Atatürk
made many reforms in order to bring Turkey to the level of contemporary civilizations and
in this way he became a good model for the other nations who wanted to be independent.
That’s why he is well-known in all countries.
Atatürk was a military officer during World War I. Following the defeat of
the Ottoman Empire in World War I, he led the Turkish national movement in the Turkish
War of Independence. Having established a provisional government in Ankara, he
defeated the forces sent by the Allies. His military campaigns gained Turkey
independence. Atatürk then embarked upon a program of political, economic, and cultural
reforms, seeking to transform the former Ottoman Empire into a modern, westernized and
secular nation-state. The principles of Atatürk's reforms, upon which modern Turkey was
established, are referred to as Kemalism.
In 1981, the centenary of Atatürk's birth, his memory was honoured by the United
Nations and UNESCO, which declared it The Atatürk Year in the World .
Here are some quotations from Atatürk’s Speech;
 Our great ideal is to raise our nation to highest standards of civilization and
prosperity.
 The Turkish Republic will be happy, prosperous and victorious.
 Victory is for those who can say “Victory is mine”. Success is for those who
can begin saying “I will succeed „‟ and say “I have succeeded” in the end.

15. Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk,
in Ankara, Turkey.
Ataturk appeared on the cover of Time magazine in
1923. The appearance on the cover of Time became an
indicator of a person’s notability.