The program opening of the Teacher Academies, initiated under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and implemented in 14 pilot provinces including Edirne, took place at Trakya University the Complex of Sultan Bayezid II.
Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu, Mahmut Bıyıklı, the advisor of Ministry of Education, Önder Arpacı, the director of Provincial National Education and teachers to take part in the academies were present at the opening ceremony of Edirne Teacher Academies, which include of City and Culture Academy, Literature Academy and Music Academy. The Edirne Provincial Directorate of National Education coordinated the event.
The program started with the opening speech of Önder Arpacı and continued with the first lecture given by Rector Prof. Dr. Tabakoğlu within the scope of City and Culture Academies.
Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu started his speech with, “Science is a vast and endless sea. It expands as you learn. As all humans do, our teachers and us also need to learn. What a lovely pray to say: ‘My God, expand my knowledge.”. We hope to broaden our knowledge and hand down this knowledge to our children with these academies. This journey is a great journey… In addition, a source of joy to those who make this happen… With this I would like to express how happy I am.” and continued to talk about Edirne’s history, geographical location, and strategical importance.
Prof. Dr. Tabakoğlu included Sarı Saltuk's statements, “Whoever wants to capture the Greeks will go to the black mulberry in Enderriye. Whoever wants to repel the infidels should stay in Enderriye because it is a home of veterans, there is no other place for veterans. This world is like a ring. The middle of the day is Enderriye. This place is the center of the day for everyone who has it in their hands like Greek and Hatem. In addition, it is the inner province of the Greeks. Veterans are grateful for their strength and support.” With these words, Sarı Saltuk points out the importance of keeping Edirne for someone who wants to take over the world, and for those who intend to go on war to Rumelia to have a home in Edirne.
Prof. Dr. Tabakoğlu stated that Edirne, which became the capital of the Ottoman Empire after its conquest in 1361, is the city that best describes the Ottoman Empire and hosts important works of Ottoman architecture, Prof. Dr. Tabakoğlu emphasized that the Ottoman period in Edirne reached its peak in terms of medical science. Prof. Dr. Tabakoğlu said that the most advanced medicine of the time was in Edirne and people from all corners of the world came for medical assistance. He also added that Complex of Sultan Bayezid II is a relic left to us from that period.
Stating that Trakya University protects the Ottoman heritage and carries out various works to keep this heritage alive, Prof. Dr. Tabakoğlu also talked about the University's works on Edirne Rose and Edirne Red.
After the first lecture, Minister Advisor Mahmut Bıyıklı expressed his gratitude to Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan Tabakoğlu. The program ended after the plaque presentation.
Translated by: Umur Taha Kılıçlar (Department of English Translation and Interpreting)
