Istanbul hosts Chughtai Art Awards 2025, highlighting Pakistan-Türkiye cultural ties

Shabana Ayaz

Istanbul: The Embassy of Pakistan in Türkiye organized the prize distribution ceremony of the Chughtai Art Awards 2025 in Istanbul on Thursday, celebrating the creativity of Turkish high school students under the theme “Pakistan-Türkiye: Two States, One Nation.”

Ambassador of Pakistan to Türkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid and Istanbul Deputy Governor Mehmet Sulun attended as chief guests, alongside senior officials, educators, and students. The event underscored the deep-rooted fraternal ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, shaped by shared history, culture, and solidarity.

In his remarks, Ambassador Junaid said the theme reflected the enduring spirit of unity between the two nations, adding that cultural initiatives like the Chughtai Art Awards serve as bridges connecting young generations across borders. Deputy Governor Sulun reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to strengthening cultural and educational cooperation, stressing the importance of youth engagement in sustaining bilateral relations.

The competition recognized outstanding artworks submitted by Istanbul’s high school students. Elif Zuheyla Ataysen of Tuzla Mehmet Tekirap Anadolu Lisesi won first prize, while Zeynep Akcan of Sehit Yuzbasi Yusuf Kenan MTAL and Elda Yildan of Goksel Baktagir GSL secured second and third positions respectively. Honorable Mentions went to Sara AlMuhammad Ali, Zehra Asya Keskin, and Sirda Al Muntaha. The winning pieces were exhibited at the venue, drawing appreciation from guests.

Named after renowned Pakistani artist Abdul Rahman Chughtai, the awards were launched by Pakistan’s Embassy in Türkiye in 2011 to encourage artistic expression among Turkish students. Since then, the competition has been held in several Turkish provinces, including Ankara, Konya, Bursa, Bitlis, Adana, and Izmir, engaging thousands of participants.

This year’s Istanbul edition marked a milestone, expanding the program’s reach to Türkiye’s cultural capital. The event concluded with a reception featuring traditional Pakistani and Turkish refreshments.