Melek Baykal: “I extend my greatest gratitude to Atatürk, the reason we are artists.”

At the 24th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival, this year, the “Lifetime Achievement Award in Culture and Arts” was presented to Melek Baykal, while the “Lifetime Honor Award” was bestowed upon Levent Tamer.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Melek Baykal stated that her greatest gratitude goes to Atatürk, and she said, “I thank him for being the reason we are artists and for the reason we exist on these stages.”

This year, the awards were also given to two giants.

As part of the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Arts Festival, the Lifetime Achievement in Culture and Arts and Lifetime Honor Awards were given to two renowned artists. As a result of the evaluations made by the Festival Committee, the “Lifetime Achievement Award in Culture and Arts” was presented to theater and television actress Melek Baykal, while the “Lifetime Honor Award” was bestowed upon theater and cinema actor Levent Tamer. The awards were presented to Baykal and Tamer by Büyükçekmece Mayor and Chairman of the Festival Committee, Dr. Hasan Akgün, at the Kemal Sunal Amphitheater in Kültürpark.

“First and foremost, I thank the great Atatürk.”

Melek Baykal expressed her joy in receiving the award alongside Levent Tamer and stated: “First and foremost, I thank the Büyükçekmece community, who are the reason I am here. Keep thriving. And of course, I extend my heartfelt thanks to our esteemed mayor, Mr. Hasan Akgün, and his valuable team. You honored us, keep thriving. And first and foremost, I thank the great Atatürk. I thank him for being the reason we are artists and for the reason we exist on these stages.”

“One of the festivals Turkey has been longing for, I think it’s one of the foremost.”

Levent Tamer expressed his happiness in receiving the award on this night of the 24-year-long festival, saying: “Because this award signifies the recognition of our efforts by you and the feeling of being together, sharing this award together, provides us with morale, joy, and creates a hope for doing more. Therefore, I believe that this award is given by all the people of Büyükçekmece. But Büyükçekmece has already rewarded itself with this festival. For this reason, I congratulate my dear mayor and all my friends who organize this festival. Because it’s an excellent organization. Truly, it has become one of the festivals that Turkey, which is aspiring to reach the level of contemporary civilizations and even surpass them, has been longing for, I think it’s one of the foremost.”