‘Yaşamak İçin Yaşlanmak Gerek’ photo exhibition opened for visit at MAKÜ

In the exhibition that will remain open between April 8-11, 2025, at the MAKÜ Conference and Exhibition Hall, there are 82 different elderly portraits coming from all over Turkey. In the exhibition where the themes of old age, labor, and happiness are processed, impressive frames carrying the traces of life await visitors.

The opening ribbon of the exhibition was cut with the participation of National Education Director Muhammed Özdemirci, MAKÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Oğuz Gürsoy, YAŞAM Center Director Assoc. Dr. Deniz Say Şahin, Happiness Research Coordinator Assoc. Dr. Gökmen Arslan, Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Yusuf Keyik, nursing home residents, Burdur Veterans Association President Hasan Okyar, All Retirees Association President Mahmut Kalkan, political party representatives, academicians, and students.

Speaking at the opening, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Oğuz Gürsoy drew attention to the fact that aging is a symbol of labor in life and thanked all academicians and students who contributed to the preparation of the exhibition.

YAŞAM Center Director Assoc. Dr. Deniz Say Şahin emphasized in her speech that aging is a chance and said:

“To live, one must age. Old age is not falling behind in production; on the contrary, it means sharing the labor, accumulation, and value of a lifetime. With the declaration of 2025 as the 'Year of the Family', we aimed to increase intergenerational interaction and highlight the role of elderly individuals in the family structure. With this exhibition, we want to show that aging is a blessing and that life is a labor carried out together.”

Happiness Research Coordinator Assoc. Dr. Gökmen Arslan also drew attention to the thematic structure of the exhibition in his speech:

“While planning this exhibition, we focused not only on the theme of old age but also on the concept of happiness. We tried to reflect these two strong themes together in our photographs. This exhibition, which emerged with the contributions of our students, academicians, our rectorate, and our stakeholders, is the product of great labor. The continuity of such works is very valuable to us.”

After the speeches, Burdur Mayor Ali Orkun Ercengiz, MAKÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Dalgar, and other guests toured the exhibition and examined the works.

The exhibition, which is open to visitors for three days, can be visited free of charge by the people of Burdur, students, and academicians. The event serves as an example of works aimed at raising awareness about old age and happiness.