Rural students in Türkiye’s Duzce enjoy theater performances

Rural students in Türkiye’s Duzce villages experience theater for the first time through an innovative project.

Organized by the Duzce Social Activities Association with support from the Ministry of Interior, the “Theater without Borders” initiative delivers live performances to village schools using a truck transformed into a mobile stage.

Actors Nurullah Celebi and Volkan Yuruk bring joy to children who may have never experienced theater before.

Multi-faceted event for rural students

Beyond the theatrical performances, the event is supported by Duzce’s Youth and Sports Directorate, the Turkish Red Crescent, and Duzce Municipality, who all contribute by distributing gifts to the students.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Directorate provides lessons on oral and dental hygiene, and the Agriculture and Forestry Directorate helps children plant flowers in their schoolyards.

Heartwarming initiative in Duzce

Duzce Governor Selcuk Aslan praised the project at the opening event held at Aydinpinari Primary School, emphasizing the value of such initiatives.

“Seeing you smile and enjoy yourselves brings me great happiness. I would like to thank our two wonderful actors for connecting so well with the children.”

Reaching new audiences

Actor Nurullah Celebi explained that their performances target schools in villages without access to theater. “Today, we are visiting Aydinpinari, Golormani, and Haciyakup villages. This is a social project supported by many institutions. The Agriculture and Forestry teams plant flowers with the children, the Youth and Sports Directorate organizes activities, the Health Directorate offers dental checkups, the Turkish Red Crescent distributes toothpaste and brushes, and Duzce Municipality provides refreshments.”

Celebi added that he and his colleague Volkan Yuruk performed a puppet show, much to the delight of the children. “Duzce deserves the best, and we love the children here. They love us too. You touch their lives, and while entertaining them, you also teach them. It’s work we truly enjoy, and we hope to see this effort expand.”

Ertugrul Acar, a 12-year-old student, expressed his excitement: “It felt like a holiday today. Volkan made us laugh with his jokes. It was an exciting and festive day for all of us.”

The Theater Without Borders project not only entertains but also educates children in Duzce’s rural communities, fostering a love for the arts and promoting essential health and wellness practices.

This initiative highlights the power of creativity and collaboration in enriching young lives and underscores the importance of access to cultural experiences, regardless of geographical location. As this project continues to grow, it promises to leave a lasting impact on the children and communities it serves.