April 3, 2024, marks the 109th anniversary of the birth of Bilkent University’s beloved founder, Prof. İhsan Doğramacı. Each year Bilkent celebrates Prof. Doğramacı’s birthday as Bilkent Day, honoring his memory with deepest respect and affection.
This year Bilkent Day includes two main events: the Bilkent Day Conference and a celebratory concert by the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. Both take place on April 3, at the Bilkent Concert Hall in the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts building.
The 2024 Bilkent Day conference starts at 2 p.m. Prof. Gülsev Kale, Board of Trustees Chair, will make an opening speech, and Rector Prof. Kürşat Aydoğan will make a presentation on “Bilkent 2024.” The program will continue with a conference by Prof. Roland Ralph Redfern Smith from the Department of Archaeology, titled “New Research and Discoveries at Aphrodisias.”
Bilkent Day celebrations will conclude with a special concert by the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. The performance begins at 8 p.m., with Gürer Aykal as conductor and Gülsin Onay as piano soloist. The program will consist of Má Vlast, “Moldau” by B. Smetana, Kaiserwalzer, Op.437 by J. Strauss and Piano Concerto No.12 by W. A. Mozart. The program will also include a performance of the works selected by the jury in the İhsan Doğramacı Composition Competition.