09.11.2026 14:33
A memorial ceremony was held in Kocaeli for the famous actor Şafak Karali (57), who passed away. Actor Barış Falay, unable to hold back his tears, said, "I want everyone to send him off however they wish. Let those who want say 'Adios Şafak,' let those who want say 'Goodbye,' let those who want say 'Rest in the light,' let those who want say 'Rest in radiance,' let those who want say 'May God have mercy on him.' And I will say, 'He will live with me.'"
A memorial ceremony was held at the Süleyman Demirel Cultural Center (SDKM) for Şafak Karali, who was part of the founding staff of Kocaeli City Theatres in 1997. The ceremony held for Karali, who also acted in the TV series "Avrupa Yakası" and "Karadayı" and the film "Once Upon a Time in Anatolia," was attended by former Deputy Minister of the Interior Münir Karaloğlu, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, founding actors of the theatre Barış Falay and Engin Benli, as well as Karali's family, relatives, and artist friends.
"IT WAS MUCH TOO EARLY AND MUCH TOO UNTIMELY" Actor Engin Benli, speaking at the ceremony, noted that he had shared the same stage with Karali and said, "I am truly very sad and very shocked. We shared this stage together, we acted opposite each other. His voice, his eyes, his energy are everywhere on this stage, in this hall, in every corner of this dressing room. We will always remember him, we will miss him. It was much too early and much too untimely. When I went to visit him in the hospital, I said, 'Come on Şafak, get up, we're rehearsing.' When he was half conscious, he suddenly opened his eyes, winked at me, and said, 'Welcome.' When we first came here in 1997, we were eating a meal as a group. He doesn't like singing very much, but while we were singing among ourselves like that, suddenly a voice came. 'I'm very tired, don't wait for me, captain.' I said, 'Good heavens, who is that voice?' It was Şafak Karali. Now sleep peacefully, my friend. Now sleep comfortably, beautifully, in the light. We will miss you very much. Your voice will always be in our ears, your eyes always in our hearts. Sleep in the light," he said.
"I WANT THOSE WHO WISH TO SEND HIM OFF TO DO SO AS THEY PLEASE" Barış Falay, one of the founding actors of Kocaeli City Theatres, recounted his friendship with Karali that began during their university years and said, "A friend of mine who was a writer at the university was showing me the people who had got into the school at the entrance. 'This one got in, this one got in,' he was saying. Baggy trousers—they weren't very fashionable then, but nowadays they've become fashionable again. He had on a Hawaiian shirt, a multicolored scarf. A fedora on his head, buckled shoes on his feet. I said, 'Oh no, am I going to study with this man?' Thank God, that fear passed very quickly. A few days later, he became my closest friend. Şafak is my dear friend. My son's uncle," he said.
Recalling his friend's understanding of respect for differences and togetherness, Falay stated that he wanted everyone to be able to send Karali off according to their own beliefs and feelings, and said, "I want whoever wishes to send him off however they want. Let those who wish say 'Adios Şafak,' let those who wish say 'Goodbye,' let those who wish say 'Sleep in the light,' let those who wish say 'Sleep in radiance.' Let those who wish say 'May God have mercy on him.' And I will say, 'He will live with me.'"
"I THANK HIM FOR EVERYTHING HE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS CITY" Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, referring to the legacy Karali left behind, said, "Remembering what is beautiful, repeating what is related to the beautiful, is actually the only thing that will make this world more beautiful. We will make it more beautiful by continuing to do what we know to be good. He did so too, and today he left behind a very beautiful legacy. May God have mercy on him. May his resting place be heaven. I will say the other expressions as Barış did. Do you send a message to the universe? Do you say 'Sleep in the light'? Do you say 'Rest in peace'? Whatever you say, he left a beautiful place in our hearts. We thank him for these beautiful memories. As the Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, I also thank him separately for everything he contributed to this city through our city theatre and for everything he contributed to our country. I still think we need to talk with him. I come from a philosophy that believes this is not a separation. I believe he still hears. We just don't know how he hears. We thank him. I say to him, may your journey continue. I offer my condolences to his loved ones."
HE WILL BE SENT OFF ON HIS FINAL JOURNEY Karali's body will be buried at Kent Cemetery after the funeral prayer, which will be performed at Akşemsettin Mosque following the noon prayer.