Last semester, an EU-supported event called “Tell Me Your Story” brought students of the Communication and Design Department together with their Syrian peers for a filmmaking workshop. The young participants had the opportunity to become better acquainted by sharing their stories on camera, while also receiving individual training in storytelling from communication professionals. The films they produced were then screened at the Kızılay Büyülü Fener Movie Theater on December 22.
The head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, Ambassador Christian Berger, noted that the idea for the project came about as part of an effort to bring together Syrian refugees and members of the host community in a creative way. The aim was to facilitate refugee integration and create an opportunity to present the current situation to the public through the eyes of youth.
The deputy head of the delegation, Minister–Counsellor Gabriel Vinals Munuera, opened the two-day event, during which Bilkent University students and Syrian youth were briefed on the work carried out by the EU in Turkey with regard to the Syrian crisis and integration of refugees. After the filmmaking sessions were completed, Syrian youth preparing to enroll in higher education toured Bilkent University and learned about its various faculties.
The December screening of the “Tell Me Your Story” films was attended by representatives of the EU delegation, Turkish Kızılay, a number of diplomatic missions, the UNHCR and Bilkent University, as well as members of the press.
The films are accessible on the website and social media accounts of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey. They may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJy0DuOoI8Y.
