18.10.2026 14:52
A farewell ceremony was held at the Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage for the artist Soner Olgun, who passed away at the age of 67 on October 16 in the hospital where he was receiving treatment. His family, relatives, and many artists attended the ceremony; his ex-wife Özlem Koldaş said that her daughter Elif was entrusted to her.
A farewell ceremony was held at Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage for artist Soner Olgun, who died on October 16 in the hospital where he was receiving treatment. Olgun's family, relatives, and many artists attended the ceremony. Speaking at the ceremony, Olgun's ex-wife Özlem Koldaş said, “We have a daughter. Elif is entrusted to me. Don't worry at all. I will take very good care of her, Soner.”
The first ceremony for musician Soner Olgun, who died at the age of 67 in the hospital where he was receiving treatment, was held at Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage. At the ceremony, Soner Olgun's family and artist friends came together.
At the memorial hosted by artist Burhan Şeşen, a short film prepared by documentary producer Nebil Özgentürk and the Bir Yudum İnsan team, featuring excerpts from Olgun's life and interviews, was shown first. After the screening, Olgun's friends gave speeches.
EX-WIFE ÖZLEM KOLDAŞ: HOW WILL I SAY GOODBYE TO YOU
Speaking at the ceremony, Soner Olgun's ex-wife Özlem Koldaş, in her speech at the ceremony, noted that she and Olgun had been together since she was 21, and said the following:
“Ah, my dear Soner, how will I say goodbye to you? I have been with Soner since I was 21. That is, we are on the same stage, in the same house, at home, at work, everywhere. Just now while watching the clips, my memories came back to me; everything that revolved passed before my eyes like a film strip. Soner directed all those clips. We shot all of them together. He shot his own clips himself. For example, in Morgosa we had only one drone operator. He had lost the drone. We ran after it a lot. We have a daughter. Elif is entrusted to me. Don't worry at all. I will take very good care of her, Soner. I cannot speak any more. Thank you.”
HÜSEYİN AVNİ DANYAL: “HIS LOVE WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ME”Actor Hüseyin Avni Danyal noted that Soner Olgun had made great contributions to artists and said, “Whenever I was in trouble, he always supported me. I will never forget him until the end of my life. His love will always be with me. Our condolences to us all.”
Murat Aksu said that Olgun had been like an older brother to them for 45 years and was one of the smartest people he had ever known. Aksu said, “The only thing I can say about Soner abi is that he was a very beautiful person. He was one of the most beautiful and special people I have ever seen. May God grant him abundant mercy. I am glad there was such a man in my life.”
Aksu, recounting that Olgun did not show his illness and pain when he went on stage, said, “For ten years, at almost every one of his performances, together with my dear friends, we were always by his side. Even on a single day, even when he was in a high fever, he went on stage without ever showing his pain to the friends who came to that stage, and then moved from that stage to the night venue. Such a refined atmosphere probably did not exist in another Istanbul, or anywhere else. I am glad I knew such a special person. Our condolences to us all.”
MENDERES SAMANCILAR: “OUR DEAR FRIEND”Actor Menderes Samancılar also said in his speech at the ceremony, “Our condolences to us all. Life has such difficult times; seeing off our loved ones has fallen to us unfortunates. There is always so much to say about Soner that everything remains insufficient. All we will say is that we loved him very much. Our dear friend, may he rest in light. My wish is that God does not grant us again to see off such young friends. Our condolences to us all.”
NEBİL ÖZGENTÜRK: “YOU WILL LEAVE THIS WORLD BEING LOVED”Documentary filmmaker Nebil Özgentürk, noting that Olgun had received theater training but that his last 35 years had been spent in music, said, “He performed beautiful folk songs and songs, and created works. There are people who are multi-talented, and I think Soner was such a person.” Drawing attention to Olgun's sense of humor and patience, Özgentürk said, “He had a tremendous sense of humor and a patience such as dervishes might have. He was a very special stage person who stayed on stage for seven hours and put up with everyone.”
Reminding that Soner Olgun also worked in journalism and publishing, Özgentürk said, “He made a request to that magazine so that music people could enter it. I think no one sings Aegean folk songs more beautifully than he did.”
Stating that a great affection formed after Olgun, Özgentürk said, “Many people, whether they knew him or not—but heard of him from someone who knew him and felt it—sent greetings and love from afar, from Kars, Hakkari, and Artvin. Because evidently they felt he was a good person. Millions of people understood Soner's big heart from his eyes, his voice, and the interviews they listened to. That is why people say ‘our brother’ about him. Sleep peacefully, my dear Soner. You will leave this world being loved. We will meet.”
SCHOOLMATE ŞAHAN: “TURKEY WILL LISTEN FOR MANY YEARS”Soner Olgun's friend from his school days, Hilmi Zafer Şahan, also noted that their acquaintance had continued since 1977. Şahan recounted that Olgun gave saz lessons in İzmir, managed a page at Milliyet newspaper, and in the following years worked at various magazines and newspapers in Istanbul. Saying that Olgun was a person who loved his country, Şahan said, “Even though our outlook on life and worldviews were at the same point, on the same channel, we sometimes argued a lot because we thought differently. But basically there was this: He was a person devoted to his country, who knew his country's values. How fortunate I am to have known Soner and been with Soner. I know his voice, his power, and his expression, and Turkey will listen to him for many years.”
After the speeches, a prayer was said for Soner Olgun, forgiveness was sought, and his loved ones said farewell to the artist. A letter sent for the memorial by Olgun's doctor, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Özdağ, who could not attend, was read.
Artist Soner Olgun will be taken to Teşvikiye Mosque, and after the funeral prayer to be performed following the noon prayer, he will be laid to rest on his final journey at Hasdal Cemetery.