5. International student festival held at GAÜN

Gaziantep University (GAUN) Social Sensitivity Projects Center (TDP) organized the ‘Gaziantep University 5th International Student Festival’. At the program held at GAUN Atatürk Cultural Stage, percussion, choir, and folk dance performances by GAUN Turkish Music State Conservatory, as well as dance performances representing countries, added color to the festival. In addition, a presentation of traditional costumes organized by GAUN Faculty of Fine Arts Textile and Fashion Design Department offered participants a visual feast reflecting cultural diversity. During the festival, students sent a message to the world with a choreography titled ‘One Voice for Peace: International Students Together’ to draw attention to the genocide in Palestine, delivering a message of brotherhood by voicing ‘Stop War’ messages in their own languages. ‘We see our differences as richness.’ GAUN Deputy Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Saribiyik, in his opening speech at the festival, thanked GAUN TDP for their dedicated work, stating that the international student festival is an important platform bringing together different cultures for sharing and solidarity. Prof. Dr. Saribiyik continued his speech by saying: ‘Among our 46,000 students at our university, we have approximately 7,338 students from abroad as guests. We do not see these students as foreigners, they are our guests. We always see our differences as richness in merging and presenting the cultural richness they bring from their countries with the richness of our city of Gaziantep and our country. We enhance diversity and richness with the contributions of international students. Cultural, artistic, and sports events organized at our university are important in developing a sense of belonging and brotherhood among our international students.’ Additionally, within the festival, t-shirt printing, ceramic exhibition, and carpet weaving workshop were also held.