April 3 marks the 104th anniversary of the birth of Bilkent University’s beloved founder, Prof. İhsan Doğramacı. Each year, Bilkent celebrates Prof. Doğramacı’s birthday as Bilkent Day, honoring his memory with deepest respect and affection.
This year, Bilkent Day includes two main events: the Bilkent Day Conference and a celebratory concert by the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. Both take place on April 3, at the Bilkent Concert Hall in the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts building.
The 2019 Bilkent Day Conference starts at 2 p.m., with a presentation by Rector Abdullah Atalar on “The State of the University.” The program will then continue with an open meeting of the Board of Trustees; this marks the first time such a meeting has been part of Bilkent Day.
The celebration of Bilkent Day will conclude with a special concert by the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. The performance begins at 8 p.m., with Gürer Aykal as conductor and Gülsin Onay as piano soloist. The program will consist of the Concerto for Piano No. 2 in C minor by Sergei Rachmaninov and “The Planets” orchestral suite by Gustav Holst.