The opening ceremony of Mevlüde Genç Library was held

The opening ceremony of Mevlüde Genç Library of Turkish-German University was held. Making the opening speech at the ceremony, YÖK Deputy President Prof. Dr. Haldun Göktaş, “Universities undertake the mission of producing knowledge and transferring this knowledge to students, and libraries are the most vital units in fulfilling their duties. Facilitating academics and students' access to information all over the world and since it facilitates the quality of education and research and development activities in universities, university libraries, which directly enhance knowledge, are the invisible heroes of universities producing high levels of knowledge. I would also like to say that a good library is an undeniable part of a successful academic life. I congratulate our librarian friends who will work at Mevlüde Genç Library for their efforts in facilitating access to information. "On this occasion, I once again commemorate Mevlüde Genç, who passed away a year ago," he said.

Johannes Regenbrecht, General Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Istanbul, said, “Naming the library as Mevlüde Genç is a very important event. It is a symbol for the unity of two nations. "It's nice to have her family here and I thank them," he said. Aydan Özoğuz, the Vice President of the German Bundestag, said, “I welcome everyone here today, especially Mevlüde Genç's family. I was a student when the events in Solingen took place. I was the head of the Turkish student community there. In fact, rehearsals were being made on how to leave the houses when such terrible events occurred. This library does not represent such a terrible event. On the contrary, it represents the exemplary behavior of Mevlüde Genç following the events. Mrs. Genç stated that peace is more important than hatred. For this reason, Mevlüde Genç's name represents unity and goodness,” she said.

Özlem Genç, the granddaughter of deceased Mevlüde Genç, made the “Wise Mother Mevlüde Genç” memorial speech and said that “I would like to thank everyone who named Turkish-German University Central Library after Mevlüde Anne. This is an honour she absolutely deserves. Her love, devotion and wisdom will always live in our hearts. Let this library be a place where learning, creativity and friendship come together. I would like to thank all of you wholeheartedly, in the name of Turkish-German friendship and in memory of Mevlüde Genç,"
The ceremony ended after the ribbon cutting. The two-day program continued with panels, conferences, workshops and various events organized by faculties until the end of Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Who is Mevlüde Genç?
(5 February 1943, Amasya- 30 October 2022, Solingen)

Turkish-German peace ambassador. She became known to the German and Turkish public as "Wise Mother”.
Mevlüde Genç immigrated to Germany in 1979 to join her husband, who went to Germany as a worker in 1970, and settled with her family in Solingen, North Rhine-Westphalia. On the night of May 29, 1993, the house of the Genç family in Solingen was set on fire because of a racist attack. 5 members of the Genç family lost their lives in this fire: Gürsün İnce (27), Hatice Genç (18), Hülya Genç (9), Saime Genç (4) and Gülistan Öztürk (12).

Despite the tragedy in Solingen, Mevlüde Genç always emphasized peace, tolerance and love in the meetings and events she attended and rejected hate speech. Mevlüde Genç, who expressed her feelings with the words “I cried at night and smiled at my children during the day so that they won't get sad and won’t feel hatred in their hearts...", tried to ensure that Turkish-German relations continue in peace. She contributed to studies on the adaptation of Turks to Germany until her death. She passed away in Solingen at the age of 79 due to a heart attack.

In addition to many awards, Mevlüde Genç was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in Germany (1996) and the Great State Medal in Turkey (1995).

Mevlüde Genç is the symbol of Turkish workers migrating to Germany.