In collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, Near East University’s Turkish Language Teaching Department, Cyprus Research Center, and Yunus Emre Institute organized a panel on “Children’s Books and Fairy Tales” on May 11, 2023. Following the panel, a “Fairy Tale Workshop” targeting earthquake-affected children took place on May 12, 2023.
The panel, held at the Yunus Emre Institute and attended by 40 participants, was chaired by Dr. Dilan Kalaycı Alas, a faculty member of the Turkish Language Teaching Department. One of the speakers, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Burak Gökbulut, emphasized the cultural significance of fairy tales, stating that they play a crucial role in cultural transmission by encapsulating various cultural elements. Prof. Dr. Şevket Öznur, the President of the Cyprus Research Center, highlighted how fairy tales entertain and convey unwritten life rules to children, offering a unique blend of fun and meaningful experiences.
Yrd. Doç. Dr. Selma Korkmaz, a faculty member of the Turkish Language Teaching Department, underscored that fairy tales, being imaginative short stories enjoyed by people of all ages, are not only entertaining but also recognized by researchers as a valuable resource for language education. Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yeniasır, the Head of the Department of Social Sciences and Turkish Education, emphasized the crucial role of families and educators in fostering children’s reading habits. He urged the selection of quality books to support children’s holistic development and instill a love for reading.
