03.08.2026 13:11
The Turkey Youth Foundation (TUGVA) held the final program of its summer school activities, carried out in all 81 provinces of Turkey throughout the summer, today at Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park. President Erdogan also attended the program, and the stadium was packed, with great interest in the event. Speaking at the program, President Erdogan said, 'The TEKNOFEST generation of the great and powerful Turkey is making the heavens and earth resound. Seeing you so happy and enthusiastic makes us very happy.'
The Turkey Youth Foundation (TUGVA) held the final program of its summer school activities, which it carried out in all 81 provinces of Turkey throughout the summer, today at Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TUGVA MEMBERS GATHERED AT RAMS PARK
TUGVA Summer Schools, which had a wide curriculum ranging from sporting activities to Quran and hadith lessons, from fun activities to educational activities, and in which over 700 thousand middle school students participated this year, brought together tens of thousands of students, their families, and guests at the final program.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also attended the program held at Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park, where students who showed outstanding success throughout the summer period and achieved Turkey-wide rankings were given participation certificates and awards. President Erdogan, who attended the program, made statements.
Highlights from President Erdogan's speech:
"We are all together here at the TUGVA Youth Foundation Summer School Final. We are all together in beautiful Istanbul, where the spirit of the conquest is engraved in our hearts. I am delighted to be with you young people. The eyes of our young people and our children are shining brightly.
The TEKNOFEST generation of the great and powerful Turkey is making a thunderous noise. Seeing you so cheerful and enthusiastic makes us very happy. I thank each and every one of you for this magnificent picture.
PRESIDENT ERDOGAN: I GREET FROM THE HEART ALL OUR CHILDREN IN GAZA AND THE WEST BANK
From here, I send my greetings to all the young people who follow us and pray for us from our heartland and from different parts of the world. I greet from the heart all our children who are struggling to hold on to life under Israel's brutal attacks in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. The hearts of their brothers and sisters in Turkey beat with them.
Believe me, words cannot describe your enthusiasm and energy. The most skilled painter cannot draw your sincerity, your hearts beating with faith, and your hearts standing together.
TUGVA broke a new record this year by reaching over 700 thousand participants in its summer schools. By touching the lives of 1.5 million young people just this year, it has become the largest youth program in our country. TUGVA makes us proud with what it does.
"YOUTH IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF THIS NATION"
Youth is the lifeblood of this nation. Youth carries the energy and ideals of society from the past to the future. The stronger and healthier this artery is, the healthier our national identity will be. Our TUGVA, which works tooth and nail for our young people, is duly fulfilling this duty. It is precisely for this reason that those who try to obstruct every endeavor are targeting TUGVA. Those who are eager to find fault with anything beneficial for Turkey want to block TUGVA's path.
You are the children of a nation that has shaped history and opened and closed eras. You are a generation that will leave Turkey's mark on the 21st century. You are the reliable custodians of our tomorrows and our greatest source of strength.
Just as they have done many times in the past, they cannot use the pure children of this nation as tools in their dirty games. Those days are now behind us. We will never leave our young people and children alone. We will not let the bright future of Turkey be fed to a few self-serving ignoramuses."
FAMOUS ARTISTS TAKE THE STAGE
In his speech at the press conference held regarding the organization, TUGVA President Ibrahim Besinci stated that they broke a record this year with over 700 thousand middle school students, becoming the non-governmental organization reaching the highest number within the scope of a project in Turkey.
Noting that stage shows and activities would take place in the program, Besinci stated that Maher Zain, Fadil Aydin, Arslanbek Sultanbekov, and Celal Karature would take the stage in the program.
Besinci stated that the final program would feature processions, drone and light shows, and many other different activities, saying, "We have prepared a full program. Because our young people deserve it more than enough. As the Turkey Youth Foundation, during the 2026 summer period, we reached 717 thousand middle school students in our 81 provinces, 490 districts, and 4,386 schools, and we are proud to have put our signature on another one of our country's largest summer programs. With our 18,546 instructors and 2,984 volunteer instructors, we served our children with a massive team."