05.02.2026 09:44
The President's Chief Advisor Oktay Saral reacted strongly to artist Gülben Ergen's participation in the project titled "My Family." Saral stated that Ergen's involvement in this project has provoked reactions in society and that popularity is not sufficient in representing the concept of family.
President's Chief Advisor Oktay Saral harshly criticized artist Gülben Ergen's participation in the project titled "My Family" through a post on his social media account. Saral emphasized that the past attitudes of the individuals involved in the project and the messages they convey to society should be taken into account.
In his evaluation, quoting a post that criticized Ergen, Saral expressed that the societal responses of the individuals who will participate in family-themed projects are significant.
"THERE IS A REACTION AMONG THE PUBLIC"
In his post, Saral argued that there is a mismatch between Gülben Ergen's stance in the public eye and the content of the project, stating that Ergen's past statements and approaches do not align with the "My Family" project. Saral claimed that this situation raises questions in society and causes public backlash.
"POPULARITY IS NOT A SUFFICIENT CRITERION"
Stating that the family is one of the most sensitive building blocks of society, Saral said that individuals involved in projects should exhibit exemplary behavior. In his entire statement, Saral used the following expressions:
Individuals participating in a project that centers on one of society's most sensitive values, such as "My Family," should be evaluated not only by their artistic identity but also by their past statements, stances, and the messages they convey to society.
Considering Gülben Ergen's controversial statements over the years and her approaches to the concept of family, her participation in such a value-based project undoubtedly raises questions and provokes reactions among the public.
The family is the red line of this nation! It is expected that individuals involved in projects representing this line exhibit a stance that respects societal sensitivities and serves as an example.
Popularity or screen success can never be a sufficient measure in representing the institution of family!
Our nation wants to see not only acting but also sincerity, commitment to values, and social responsibility in projects that depict the family."
ABOUT THE "MY FAMILY" SERIES
The "My Family" series was launched by the Ministry of National Education (MEB) to strengthen the cooperation between schools and families. As part of the project, a series of 27 episodes aimed at strengthening school-family cooperation and contributing more to the holistic education of students, both socially and academically, was filmed for parents. With "Velivizyon," it aims to ensure maximum cooperation between parents, who are one of the most important stakeholders in education, and schools, based on the reality that students spend most of their time outside of school, to raise and prepare the children, who are the guarantee of the future, in the best possible way, while alleviating the teacher's burden and increasing parents' sense of responsibility through awareness-raising.