HASDER Honors Mahmut İslamoğlu and Tuncer Bagiskan with Folklore Lifetime Service Awards
The Folk Arts Foundation (HASDER) has awarded the first “Folklore Lifetime Service Award” to researchers, performers, academics, writers, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the folklore and cultural heritage of Cyprus. This prestigious award was presented to Mahmut İslamoğlu and Tuncer Bagiskan and his family.
At the award ceremony held at the KTOEÖS Conference Hall, HASDER President Kani Kanol highlighted the significant contributions of the awardees to the folklore community and society. He expressed regret that Tuncer Bagiskan, who was honored posthumously, could not receive the award in person. Bagiskan’s latest book was also acknowledged at the event, and the Foundation expressed a commitment to keep alive his legacy and complete his unfinished book project.
The Department of Culture was represented by Şirin Zaimağaoğlu, who expressed her bittersweet emotions at attending the event and presenting the award to the two valuable researchers and writers. She also vowed to honor Tuncer Bagiskan’s memory and continue his unfinished book project.
The event concluded with the presentation of the awards to Mahmut İslamoğlu and Tuncer Bagiskan’s family by Culture Department Director Zaimağaoğlu. Their extensive contributions to folklore and cultural heritage were celebrated and honored by the Folk Arts Foundation in this inaugural award ceremony.
