Konya Metropolitan Municipality is implementing a meaningful project aimed at increasing the historical and cultural awareness of young generations. Daily Istanbul trips on high-speed trains organized for 31th grade high school students in 11 districts offer young people the opportunity to discover two ancient cities and follow the traces of civilization.
Mayor Altay: “We are Building a Bridge of Hearts Between Two Historical Cities”
Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay emphasized that this project, carried out with the slogan “Atabey Youth in the Footsteps of Ancestors”, prepares new generations for the future with the strong inspiration taken from the past. Drawing attention to the importance of raising young people not only with academic knowledge but also with the spirit of a deep-rooted civilization, Mayor Altay said, “Konya, which was the capital for more than 200 years during the Seljuk period, and Istanbul, which was the capital for 600 years during the Ottoman period, are very important legacies of our civilization beyond being a city. We are also building a bridge of love between these two historical cities and taking our 31th grade students in 11 districts to Istanbul on a daily high-speed train. 26 of our students and responsible teachers are participating in this year’s programs. We have introduced more than 176 thousand of our young people to Istanbul to date. Our daily Istanbul trips with YHT leave a mark on the lives of young people. I would like to thank all of our students and their families for adding value to our project.”
Generations Rooted in the Future
President Altay summarized the deep purpose of the project by saying, “We want our youth to build not only today but also a future nourished by their roots.” He stated that he believes that following the traces of our ancestors in a city like Istanbul, which is at the heart of history and civilization, will strengthen the identity awareness of the youth and make them more equipped individuals. He also thanked Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu and TCDD General Manager Veysi Kurt for their support in the implementation of this meaningful project.
Students Thank President Altay
The students who participated in the trips expressed their great happiness for having the opportunity to get to know Istanbul closely thanks to this historical and cultural journey. They expressed their gratitude to President Altay for providing them with this meaningful experience that left an unforgettable mark on their lives.
Historical Discovery in the Heart of Istanbul
The enjoyable theater show organized on the train for the students who set off from Konya Selçuklu Station to Istanbul in the early hours of the morning by high-speed train adds color to the journey. The young people of Konya, who start to follow the traces of their ancestors upon their arrival in Istanbul, which smells of history, first visit the Eyüp Sultan Mosque, which fascinates with its spiritual atmosphere. Then, they have the opportunity to see the historical mansions and works on both sides of the Bosphorus closely with the enjoyable Bosphorus tour on the ferry. The young people, who continue their journey into the depths of history in Gülhane Park, complete an unforgettable day by exploring the magnificent Hagia Sophia-i Kebir Mosque and Sultan Ahmet Mosque and their historical square. This project provides significant contributions to the personal development of the young people by allowing them to both learn about history and experience different cultures.
