18.10.2025 13:33
The master of Turkish cinema, Arif Erkin Güzelbeyoğlu, was bid farewell on his final journey with a ceremony held at the Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage. Emotional moments were experienced during the ceremony attended by his family, artist friends, and fans, while Güzelbeyoğlu's coffin, wrapped in the Turkish flag, was taken to Teşvikiye Mosque for the funeral prayer.
A ceremony was held at the Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage for the late actor Arif Erkin Güzelbeyoğlu. After the ceremony attended by his family, artist friends, and fans, Güzelbeyoğlu's coffin, wrapped in the Turkish flag, was taken to Teşvikiye Mosque for the funeral prayer.
Arif Erkin Güzelbeyoğlu, one of the important actors of Turkish cinema, passed away on October 16. The 90-year-old architect, actor, and musician, who became memorable for his character 'Memik Dede' in the TV series 'Yabancı Damat' aired on Kanal D, was honored today with a ceremony at the Harbiye Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage. Many names from the art community, including Arif Erkin Güzelbeyoğlu's daughter Ayşe Güzelbeyoğlu, the General Director of Cinema at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Birol Güven, actress Suna Selen, and artist Mahsun Kırmızıgül, attended the ceremony along with his family and fans.
'HIS GREATEST GIFT TO US WAS HIS ENDLESS LOVE FOR LIFE AND US'
In a speech at the ceremony, Arif Erkin Güzelbeyoğlu's daughter Ayşe Güzelbeyoğlu said, "My dear father Arif Erkin was not only my father but also a valuable artist respected by Turkey. He was a knowledgeable musician, a good actor, a good architect, and a bureaucrat known for his honesty. He was not just a father but also a reliable friend, a knowledgeable guide, and a true animal lover. Arif Erkin's greatest gift to us was his endless love for life and us, as well as his unending contributions to cinema, music, and theater. His legacy will live not only in our memories but also in the masterpieces he added to all of your lives. While we mourn his absence today, I am also grateful for his richly lived life. Every moment we spent together, every laugh we shared, and every life he touched with his love is a precious treasure for us. Dear father, we will never forget you. Thank you very much for being with us on this special day and for sharing his name."
'WHEN THE LIGHTS OF THE SET WENT OUT, HE WAS A PERSON WHO KNEW HOW TO LEAVE LIGHT IN YOU'
Mahsun Kırmızıgül, who attended the ceremony, said, "We lost a very valuable master for our country. We worked shoulder to shoulder with him in the films Beyaz Melek, Vezir Parmağı, and the series Hayat Devam Ediyor. Unlike many master actors, Arif brother touched your heart with his stance and silence. When the lights of the set went out, he was one of those who knew how to leave light in you. You couldn't forget him; he taught us the subtleties of being human with his touch and love. He was a brother I loved very much, a master, a sage, and he was not someone who stood out too much. His instincts were very strong. We lost a good brother, a good friend, and a good father. May we all be strong. I wish my condolences to his loved ones and family."
'I VISITED HIM 15 DAYS AGO, HE WAS VERY WELL'
Suna Selen, who said she visited Arif Erkin Güzelbeyoğlu 15 days ago, stated, "Honestly, we are very sad; I can't say anything else. May we all be strong. We visited him 15 days ago, and he was quite well. I still wonder how he passed away because he was quite well; mentally as well. He could stand up with his cane. Therefore, I was a bit shocked and very sad. It was unexpected for me."
'WE KNEW HIM WELL'
Birol Güven, the General Director of Cinema at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said, "I received the news of Arif brother's death, shared a photo of him on social media, and wrote 'We knew him well' underneath. It was really interesting; within a few minutes, thousands, hundreds of thousands of people shared and liked it. Perhaps we experienced something we could call a digital farewell. You know, it is our tradition to speak well of the deceased. Islamic morality also states this, and it is mentioned in our hadiths. Therefore, we speak well of whoever passes away. But for Arif brother, this was not just a tradition; we said 'We knew him well' with our sincere feelings. Because he was a good person while he was alive. Now we have lost him. He was a very good person. May his place be paradise. If you have any rights, may they be forgiven."