With the contributions of the General Directorate of Foreign Relations, the Department of Health, Culture, and Sports, the Turkish Folklore Application and Research Center, the Turkish World Application and Research Center, the Culture and Art Application and Research Center, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Culture and Art Application and Research Society, the Nevruz Festival held on April 14, 2026, at Kastamonu University, turned into a full cultural feast on campus.

The event began with a flag march from the Kuzeykent Flag Monument to our University's Event Area. After a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem in front of the Event Area, the opening speech commenced. 

The opening speech on the significance and importance of the day was delivered by Assoc. Prof.Dr. Zeki Gürel. Taking the stage, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gürel stated that Nevruz is a national holiday for the Turkish nation that represents the emergence from Ergenekon. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gürel also emphasized that this special day symbolizes peace, brotherhood, and cultural unity, regardless of language, religion, and geography. 

On this day when night and day are equal, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gürel stated that nations in the northern hemisphere have been celebrating Nowruz for centuries in accordance with their own beliefs, traditions, and customs, regardless of language, religion, or nationality. He mentioned that, for Turks, Nowruz is the day of the emergence from Ergenekon and that this date holds significant meaning for preserving Turkish identity and cultural essence. In his speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gürel, who also mentioned Mehmet Akif Ersoy, stated that national and religious holidays play a significant role in the formation and development of national culture and consciousness, emphasizing that the celebration of Nevruz Bayram in Turkey holds great value.

As part of the program, our international students took the stage and presented performances reflecting cultural richness. While our Kazakhstani students' dombra performance received great acclaim, our Azerbaijani students' dance show was met with applause from the audience. The traditional dances performed by our Indonesian and Filipino students added an international flair to the program. Finally, the folk dance performance by the Raksan Folk Dance Community provided unforgettable moments for the participants. 

After the performances, the most important symbol of the Nevruz tradition, the Nevruz fire, was lit. With our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, in attendance, the protocol members jumped over the fire to celebrate the arrival of spring. Participants gathered around the fire and shared the enthusiasm of Nevruz. 

In the festival that brought together different cultures, our international students presented their local dishes to the guests. Later in the program, the students of the Department of Musicology performed a music recital, led by Prof. Dr. Sıtkı Akarsu. 

The event concluded with the participants' intense interest and colorful visuals. 

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Mehmet Atalan and Prof. Dr. Selahattin Kaymakcı, General Coordinator of External Relations Assoc. Prof. Dr. M. Öztürk Akcaoğlu, Provincial Director of Youth and Sports; Sami Kuşcu, Deputy Director of the Provincial Migration Administration; Turgay Atsız; and many of our academic and administrative staff and students attended the program.