Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Awards distributed in Ankara

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented the Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Awards on Dec. 21 in the fields of history, music, cinema, traditional arts and painting. The recipients of the awards are announced every year on Oct. 29, the day of the anniversary of the Republic of Turkey.

The Loyalty Award was presented to late social scientist Nurettin Topçu. Topçu’s niece received the award on behalf of her uncle at the awards ceremony held at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

“I am saddened by the fact that we are in a state of dissatisfaction about the current status of culture and art,” said Ayşe Nermin Topçu, expressing her gratitude as she received the award on behalf of her uncle.

This year’s Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Prix was given to veteran historian Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı in the field of history.

Well-known musician Göksel Baktagir received the award in music for his innovations with the Qanun, a traditional instrument.

Director Yavuz Turgul was given an award in cinema for “giving Turkish cinema an identity, with his scenarist, writer and director personas.”

The award for painting was presented to painter Selahattin Kara, who is known as “an Istanbul painter.”

Ali Toy received the traditional arts “for producing artwork with a unique synthesis of calligraphy and architectural design.”

The Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Awards are annual prizes that have been awarded by Turkish presidents since 1995.