Well-known for his poems on love and peace in the world, Ecevit has a unique place in the history of the Republic as a poet who has held the highest offices. The profound lyricism of Ecevit's poems has appealed to audiences from all walks of life. For Ecevit, poetry represents a method of expanding the limits of thinking and a means to transcend the constraints of daily existence. Ecevit's poetic voice reveals a deep appreciation of life, inviting us to participate in a wider universe. In these poems, the Sufi tradition of love for all the creatures of God and criticism of dogmas find a modern resonance. Critics have emphasized the universal humanistic appeal of Ecevit's poems and noted their deep levels of significance that their surface plainness does not at first sight reveal.

The Department of Turkish Literature and the Center for Turkish Literature were founded at the beginning of the new academic year and are creating at Bilkent a renewed enthusiasm for the study of Turkish literature through education, publications, and live literary activities. According to Professor Halman, Chair of the Department and Director of the Center, the modern methods adopted by the Department and the Center will soon translate into the creation of a new generation of academics, literary historians, critics, translators, editors, and creative writers in Turkey.

As a private university, Bilkent's investment in the new Department and Center is of historic importance for the future of Turkish culture, a decision that sets an example for other private universities as well.

This will be the first poetic gathering for Bülent Ecevit since his most recent collection of poems, Elele Büyüttük Sevgiyi, was published last year. Therefore, Turkey's most famous poet-politician's honoring the celebration will be a memorable event for more reasons than one.