Sabancı Group celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Republic with a concert by the Turkey Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (TUGFO) conducted by Maestro Cem Mansur in Istanbul.

In a concert organized by the Sabancı Foundation, which has been the main supporter since its establishment, and conducted by Maestro Cem Mansur, at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM), 73 young artists aged 16-22 performed a special concert for the members of the Group.

The concert, which featured some of the finest examples of Western music performed by the Turkey Youth Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Cem Mansur, concluded with the enthusiastic singing of the “Youth March.”

“THE ORCHESTRA IS ABOUT REJECTING ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AND EMBRACING EQUALITY”

Güler Sabancı, Chairperson of Sabancı Holding’s Board of Directors and Chairperson of the Sabancı Foundation Board of Trustees, expressed her pride in launching this year’s first event of the Sabancı Republic Mobilization with young people. She emphasized, “An orchestra is the richness of opposing voices, the harmony of different tones. It is embracing humility as a life philosophy. It is choosing to be part of the whole rather than standing out individually. It is rejecting all forms of discrimination and embracing equality. It is constantly striving for excellence. A community of artists, a set of values is an orchestra… It is a great team effort in harmony under the leadership of a conductor. All these values are the values of the Turkish Republic, the values of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Established in 2007 to encourage young people to engage in the arts, the Turkey Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Maestro Cem Mansur, continues to make significant contributions to our country’s journey of modernization in the light of these values.”

“THEY RECEIVE EDUCATION AT SABANCI UNIVERSITY FOR APPROXIMATELY A MONTH”

Güler Sabancı emphasized that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk entrusted the Republic, which he called “my greatest work,” to the youth. She continued, “Since its establishment, more than 1,000 young people aged 16-22, selected from different conservatories in Turkey, have been receiving training from the best instructors in their fields at Sabancı University after a preparation period of about one month. They have the opportunity to share the same stage with many virtuosos who have entered world literature. These young people who gain experience in this orchestra and in a way ‘learn to fly’ also serve in very prestigious orchestras around the world. They successfully represent our country with their performances in important halls and festivals in Europe. On the other hand, one of the most important factors that make these achievements possible is the dedication of Maestro Cem Mansur, the Founder of the Turkey Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, to this project. His determination, passion, and enthusiasm. His close attention to every detail from the selection of students to their education, from the preparation of programs to concert schedules, is the most concrete evidence of his belief in youth. We thank him once again.”

“TOGETHER, ONCE AGAIN, WE SAID ‘LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC’”

Güler Sabancı emphasized that this year, 50 young artists became part of the orchestra out of 540 conservatory students from 13 different universities who applied. She said, “With the participation of these young people, our orchestra, consisting of a total of 73 musicians, added another successful performance to its previous ones. Under the direction of Maestro Cem Mansur, they provided us with a magnificent opportunity to commemorate Atatürk and celebrate the 100th anniversary of our Republic with a concert held at the Atatürk Cultural Center. While our young people were experiencing this at the Atatürk Cultural Center, we also shared in their experience and excitement.”

Güler Sabancı concluded her remarks with the following words: “As a community that has been operating with the principle of ‘sharing what they gain from these lands with the people of these lands’ since its establishment in 1925 with the courage, enthusiasm, and excitement it received from the Republic of Turkey, which was called ‘my greatest work’ by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, we also celebrated the enthusiasm of the 100th year with this orchestra, a symbol of the values of the Republic. While listening to our young people, we remembered the meaning of the Republic, which is more than a form of government and its irreplaceable place in our lives. We once again realized the vision of Atatürk, who said, ‘The ladder of civilization is art.’ And together, once again, we said ‘Long live the Republic.’”