On November 10th, Bedri Baykam, one of the most internationally well known artists and
intellectuals, visited Bilkent University for the seminar series, titled “Youth in the
Future of the Republic,” organized by Genç Aydınlanma Kulübü. During the seminar,
Bedri Baykam advised the students to appreciate the freedom that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
gave them and to protect it to preserve the future of their children.
After the seminar Baykam answered our questions.
Bilkent News: As a special question for today, how should November 10th
be memorialized?
Baykam: I think November 10th should be memorialized honestly.
Additionally, November 10th should be considered as a day to celebrate the ideology of
Atatürk and to keep its spirit alive.
Bilkent News: Is there a relationship between your political career and
your artwork? Is your ideology reflected in your artwork?
Baykam: Especially in the eleven-year period between 1987 and 1998, half
of the art work I produced was based on political issues. When I returned to Turkey from
the USA in 1987, I thought that I should express my ideology. I also prepared a work
titled "Democracy Box."
Bilkent News: What do you see when you consider the future of Kemalism?
Do you think the youth of Turkey subscribe to Kemalism?
Baykam: If the youth of Turkey had adopted Kemalism, no tragicomic events
would have occurred in Turkey today. Apathy is currently widespread among youth.
Bilkent News: What are your criticisms and advice to university students?
Baykam: Education does not make any sense without enlightenment. Jobs and
politics are always related to each other. Students should read independent newspapers and
follow the events that occur all over the world. Additionally, students should not be
afraid of expressing their own ideas.
Yeşim Şağban (IE/III)
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