Yörük Culture Shines in Europe: Antalya Students' Film Among Top 30

Today, June 28, 2026, news from the culture and arts sector indicates the significant success of Turkey's younger generation on the international stage. Berkay Gül and Mustafa Eymen Yüksel, ninth-grade students at Adem Tolunay Anatolian High School in Antalya, have brought the rich culture of the Yörük nomads to the silver screen with a project titled "Trust of the Taurus" (Torosların Emaneti) [1]. This work of art has now brought Turkey's name to the top of cultural news in one of the important European competitions.

A Heritage from the Heart of the Taurus Mountains on Film The Yörük culture, rooted in the nomadic lifestyle of Anatolian Turkmens, has always been an inseparable part of the historical identity of the Mediterranean region. These two students, aiming to transfer this heritage to future generations and introduce it globally, produced a 3-minute documentary depicting the details of life, customs, and the deep connection of these people with the nature of the Taurus Mountains [3]. Notably, these students did not have direct experience with nomadic life themselves, but by relying on the narratives of family elders and researching historical sources, they were able to create an honest and impactful narrative.

A Continental Competition: Roots & Reels This short film participated within the framework of the international "Roots & Reels" competition, organized in collaboration with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the EUSTORY organization [1]. This competition focuses on themes such as history, identity, and digital storytelling. The students' work succeeded in attracting the jury's attention among 200 submissions from 20 different countries and entered the list of the top 30 works [2]. This success demonstrates the students' ability to use modern digital tools to reinterpret local history and traditions.

The Link Between Scientific Research and Student Creativity Behind this artistic success were months of field research and study. Berkay and Mustafa, under the guidance of their history teacher, Şöhret Gülsar, worked closely with the Yörük Research Center at Akdeniz University (YÖRKAM) and the Antalya Yörük Solidarity Association [3]. By recording documentary interviews and visiting nomadic settlements, they strove to transform "Trust of the Taurus" from a simple school project into a standard research-artistic work. Media outlets such as Başak Gazetesi have also emphasized the importance of such student activities in preserving national identity.

The Final Step for a Top Ranking Currently, the competition has entered the second stage, which includes public voting on social media and digital platforms. The goal of these two Antalya students is to be among the final top 3 rankings so they can resonate the voice of Yörük culture louder than ever in Europe [1]. They have asked the public and culture and art enthusiasts to help increase the visibility of this work and introduce Turkey's spiritual heritage through their support in virtual space.