Winners of the Prestigious 2025 Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Awards Announced
ANKARA – President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Awards during a special October 29 Republic Day program. The awards are among the highest honors bestowed in Turkey upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to national culture and the arts.
This year's laureates, recognized across various disciplines, are:
Science and Culture: Prof. Dr. Süleyman Seyfi Öğün – A prominent political scientist and philosopher known for his profound analyses of Turkish modernity, culture, and social theory.
Painting: Yalçın Gökçebağ – A celebrated painter renowned for his hyperrealistic and meticulously detailed depictions of rural Anatolian life, often focusing on abandoned spaces and timeless landscapes.
Music: Yalçın Tura – A distinguished composer, music theorist, and author who has made significant contributions to Turkish music, from classical compositions to iconic film scores.
Anatolian Archaeology: Prof. Dr. Fahri Işık – A legendary archaeologist and academic whose lifelong research, particularly at the ancient site of Patara, has fundamentally shaped the understanding of Anatolia's Lycian civilization.
Photography: Ali Jadallah – A photojournalist for Anadolu Agency (AA), recognized for his powerful and poignant documentation of events in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, bringing global attention to the region's human stories.
The Presidential Grand Awards celebrate the lifelong achievements and lasting impact of these leading figures on Turkey's and the world's cultural and intellectual heritage.
