03.05.2026 06:13
A ceremony was held at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) for theater and TV series actor Ferdi Atuner, who passed away. Speaking at the ceremony, his daughter İlayda Atuner said, 'I believe he couldn't bear the deep pain of losing my mother just one month ago, and just as he took care of her in this life, he left us to take care of her there. I believe they have reunited.'
A ceremony was held at the Atatürk Cultural Center for theater and TV series actor Ferdi Atuner, who lost his life due to a heart attack.
Many relatives and members of the art community attended the ceremony held for Atuner, who was also an artist of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet. Speeches were made about the artist's life and career, and attendees experienced emotional moments. Atuner's close friend Metin Ertem said, 'He had a childlike heart and passed away on a Children's Day. May he rest in light. Goodbye, my brother Ferdi.'
"HE IS BIDDING US FAREWELL AT HIS FAVORITE PLACE"
Ferdi Atuner's daughter İlayda Atuner said, 'There's not much to say, it's an indescribable pain for me. He was someone who had touched many people's goodness and dedicated himself to art. I don't want to say deep, lengthy things either. May his soul rest in peace. He is being bid farewell at his favorite place. May his heaven be beautiful. Of course, his heart was always here. We are fulfilling our last duty.'
"HE COULDN'T BEAR THE PAIN OF LOSING MY MOTHER"
His daughter also made a speech at the ceremony, saying, 'He was my first love, my hero, my most precious. He always greeted me with his famous loud voice, 'My dear daughter.' It was impossible for me to have enough of him, and it still is. Of course, just as much as his love for us, he was deeply devoted to his work, the stage, and art with great passion. I think he couldn't bear the deep pain of losing my mother just a month ago, and just as he took care of her in this life, he left us to take care of her there. I believe they have reunited.'
"HE DEDICATED 45 YEARS OF HIS LIFE TO THIS PLACE"
His son Toygar Atuner said, 'I don't know what to say because I don't live in Istanbul. I'm in Antalya, at the Antalya Opera, and I've just set foot in Istanbul. We do the same profession. Apart from that, in his side jobs, like acting, I was also doing it. In the end, where we've come is still here. He dedicated 45 years of his life to this place. It's been a while since we last saw each other because, as you know, the intensity of opera seasons is well known, and I couldn't come myself. So it had actually been quite a while,' he said.
"HE HAD A CHILDLIKE HEART, HE LEFT US ON CHILDREN'S DAY"
Ferdi Atuner's friend Metin Ertem said, 'He will always be remembered and loved. He did so much in the opera, one can say how fortunate. In my opinion, an artist does not pass away. He received his applause; he will no longer take the stage. He had a childlike heart and passed away on a Children's Day. May he rest in light. Goodbye, my brother Ferdi.' After the ceremony, Ferdi Atuner's body was taken to Zincirlikuyu Mosque for funeral prayers.