25.01.2026 12:40
The doyen of Turkish theater, Haldun Dormen, is being bid farewell on his final journey with a ceremony held at the Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage, in accordance with his will. Dormen's student, Halit Ergenç, was overwhelmed with tears as he said goodbye to his teacher. "If I am here in front of you today, if I can live my life, if I can do my job, it is thanks to brother Haldun," Ergenç said, nearly collapsing as Dormen's coffin was carried out of the hall.
The master name of Turkish theater, State Artist Haldun Dormen, passed away at the age of 97 on January 21 at the hospital where he had been receiving treatment for a while. An memorial ceremony was held for Dormen at the Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage in accordance with his own will. The ceremony, attended by many names from the art, society, and sports world, was presented by Halit Ergenç, one of Dormen's students.
OVERWHELMED WITH TEARS ON STAGE
While presenting the ceremony in tears, Halit Ergenç shared emotional moments in the hall with a special video presentation featuring excerpts from the master artist's 72-year artistic life. As Halit Ergenç could not hold back his tears, Haldun Dormen was applauded for minutes.
"IF I CAN DO MY JOB, IT'S THANKS TO HALDUN BROTHER"
Emphasizing that Haldun Dormen was not just a teacher but a guide who shaped his life, Halit Ergenç stated in his speech at the ceremony, "While everyone tells each other what they cannot do, he always told his students what they could do. Many artists owe their artistry to him. If I am here today in front of you, if I can live my life, if I can do my job, it is thanks to Haldun brother. He believed in me despite everything and placed responsibilities on me that I never would have imagined, saying 'go ahead and do it.' Everything starts with doing. And Haldun brother was a person who did this beautifully," he expressed.
COLLAPSED WHILE FAREWELLING THE COFFIN
After the ceremony, Haldun Dormen's coffin was taken out of the hall for the funeral prayer. During this time, Halit Ergenç was seen overwhelmed with tears. Ergenç walked behind the coffin for a long time with tears in his eyes.
FUNERAL PRAYER AT TEŞVİKİYE MOSQUE
A funeral prayer will be held for Haldun Dormen at Teşvikiye Mosque following the noon prayer. The master artist will be laid to rest in the family cemetery at Edirnekapı Martyrs' Cemetery after the prayer.