The Story of a Scientist, depicting the life of Prof. Dr. Türkan Saylan, will be screened in London on December 15 at a special event.
The film commemorates the life and legacy of Saylan, a renowned Turkish physician, educator, and former president of the Association for Supporting Contemporary Life (ÇYDD), who passed away in 2009. Produced by journalist Özlem Özdemir, the documentary highlights Saylan’s significant contributions to science and education. The screening will take place at Limehouse Library Hotel in Turkish, with English subtitles.
The event will feature a Q&A session with the documentary’s producer, journalist Özlem Özdemir, following the screening. Additionally, Dr. Ali Tekin Atalar, Vice President of the Atatürk Society UK (ASUK) will participate as a speaker.
The documentary sheds light on Prof. Dr. Türkan Saylan’s fight against leprosy and her contributions to the scientific world. It was created under the guidance of ÇYDD President Prof. Dr. Ayşe Yüksel and directed by Gülay Yıldız Yiğitcan. The film has received several accolades, including an award in Athens, recognition as one of the top eight documentaries at the Antalya Film Festival, and a finalist spot at the Boston Turkish Film Festival in the US.
Tickets for the event, including breakfast, the documentary screening, and the seminar, are priced at £45 per person. The organizer, Arzu Güler, founder of Sectoral Events, expressed her pride in leading this meaningful event, saying, “I am honoured to contribute to such an impactful day as part of my duty to the Republic.”
Türkan Saylan was one of the founding members of ÇYDD, one of Turkey’s most influential civil society organizations. Known for her lifelong fight against leprosy as a physician, Saylan also championed equal opportunities in education, with a particular focus on supporting girls’ access to education.