Head of Communications Altun said, "In today's Türkiye, there is no room for the coup plotters who utterly destroyed the 80s generation, nor for the ideological interventions and political engineering that paved the way for coups. In today's Türkiye, there is no room for the deep economic crises and political chaos of the 90s that left people asking, 'Where is this state?' nor for the bureaucratic oligarchy that dominated the political sphere. Today, we have a great and powerful Türkiye."
The Presidency's Head of Communications, Fahrettin Altun, attended the opening of the Photography's Journey from Analogue to Digital Symposium organised under the auspices of the Presidency's Directorate of Communications.
In his speech, Head of Communications Altun touched on contemporary issues such as hunger, water scarcity, climate crises, migration, and pandemics. He also noted that a documentary on the life of photographer İzzet Keribar would be screened during the event, illustrating that the past was not all that idyllic either.
Referring to Keribar as a living witness of history spanning from the Türkiye of the 1940s to the present day, Head of Communications Altun said, "On the one hand, we witness his artistic productions. On the other hand, through the documentary, we will also bear witness to modern Türkiye's history. Mr İzzet's story, which began in 1936 at Ayaspaşa Palas in Gümüşsuyu, İstanbul, undoubtedly includes moments of great joy but also the oppression his grandfather, Mr Arslan, suffered under the wealth tax. Then it includes the shortages, bread rationing, and moments of fear during the years of World War II. It also features the time of the Korean War. Moreover, unfortunately, it also encompasses the events of September 6-7. It covers memoranda and coups."
"Thankfully, today, we talk about those difficult days as a part of history. We have left those days behind," said Head of Communications Altun and added:
"In today's Türkiye, there is no room for the military or judicial tutelage that gained institutional identity in the 60s, nor for those who defend that tutelage. In today's Türkiye, there is no room for the unstable politics and economy of the 70s, nor for the radicalism and fanaticism that held the society hostage under the guise of ideological divides. In today's Türkiye, there is no room for the coup plotters who utterly destroyed the 80s generation, nor for the ideological interventions and political engineering that paved the way for coups. In today's Türkiye, there is no room for the deep economic crises and political chaos of the 90s that left people asking, 'Where is this state?' nor for the bureaucratic oligarchy that dominated the political sphere. There is no room for these today. Today, we have a great and powerful Türkiye."
Drawing attention to the concept of "Journey from Analogue to Digital," which inspired the symposium's title, Head of Communications Altun said, "We will hear from distinguished experts in the upcoming sessions about what this concept means for the art of photography. However, we should know that this transformation, from analogue to digital, harbours crises as well as opportunities for us. Naturally, we will approach the analogue-to-digital transformation with courage and work to harness its opportunities. At the same time, we will cautiously address the challenges that accompany this transformation and strive to find solutions to them."
"We frame our efforts as a comprehensive struggle for truth"
Noting that, as the Directorate of Communications, they are committed to struggling for the truth with vigorous efforts in the era of digital transformation, Head of Communications Altun said:
"We frame our efforts as a comprehensive struggle for truth. In a landscape rife with the relentless spread of lies and disinformation on both national and international stages, advocating for the truth emerges as a sacred yet challenging task. In this sense, the struggle for truth entails speaking the truth to society, the nation, and the whole world, ensuring the communication of the facts, and making efforts to this end. We also recognise that our struggle for truth, waged in line with the vision of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is unwelcome to those who seek to relegate Türkiye to a state of international dependency, reminiscent of the past, and it is almost unsettling their tranquilly. Those whose tranquilly is disrupted resort to novel tactics every day."
Enumerating cyber attacks, online disinformation campaigns, black propaganda, fifth column activities, and terrorist organisations' digital activities as illustrative examples of these tactics, Head of Communications Altun commented, "It is evident that the rising internet usage has made communication faster and more convenient in the country, escalating digital fascism and digital terrorism, which regrettably exacerbates the crisis of truth."
"Digital fascism has emerged as a pressing national security concern"
Head of Communications Altun underscored that terrorism has taken on new forms, stating:
"Organisations are leveraging the newly established digital media setting for various purposes, including propaganda, indoctrination, communication, recruitment of militants and sympathisers, training, and even operational control and so-called command. It is important to remember that the issues we refer to as digital fascism and digital terrorism in this era of digital transformation have, therefore, evolved into a national security concern. No political actor can or should remain apathetic to this issue. This is because the national security issue of digital fascism today poses a threat to individuals, families, societies, and states. It is vital to combat this threat with national unity and solidarity. Digital transformation, one of the most challenging battlefields of the forthcoming period, entails significant responsibilities for all our institutions, politicians and media representatives, and even individual citizens."
"The great photographer Mr İzzet Keribar, who has travelled to over 70 countries with his camera yet holds a profound affection for Türkiye, expresses concern for the nation and has never contemplated abandoning his homeland, even during challenging times, is, with his attitude, the concrete manifestation of how the national unity and stance we need resonate within the realm of art," Head of Communications Altun said, highlighting Keribar's works as he continued his speech.
A thoughtful present from master photographer Keribar to Head of Communications Altun
İzzet Keribar, delivering the opening remarks at the symposium, expressed his commitment to continuing his pursuit of artistic passion.
In remembrance of the occasion, Keribar presented his own 1950 model manual-winding Zeiss Ikon Nettar brand bellows camera, in working condition, to Head of Communications Altun.
Following the gift presentation, Head of Communications Altun visited the "A Keribar Photograph" exhibition featuring Keribar's works. Keribar accompanied Head of Communications Altun, sharing the narratives behind the photographs he captured.
