JEOFEST ’26 Concludes with a Spectacular Finale

JEOFEST ’26, a celebration of earth sciences hosted by Bornova Municipality in cooperation with the İzmir Branch of the Chamber of Geological Engineers (TMMOB), successfully concluded following a packed program of events throughout the weekend. Featuring world-renowned earth scientist Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör as its opening guest, the festival brought together the geological community, academics, industry representatives, and thousands of science enthusiasts in Bornova.

The festival’s opening day was marked by great excitement with the participation of Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör. Meeting with Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, Şengör visited the municipality’s Smart City and Innovation Center, where he expressed his admiration for Bornova’s digital twin and the “Abide-i Hürriyet Square” project. Speaking at the talk titled “The Story of Stone Is Our Story” at Ayfer Feray Open-Air Theatre, the renowned geologist emphasized the vital importance of teaching children about nature and taking geology seriously, stating, “Human civilization can exist only as long as geology allows.” Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, meanwhile, underlined that the city would continue to be a hub for science, culture, and professional solidarity.

A Journey from Göbeklitepe to Antarctica

Scientific sessions continued at full pace on the festival’s second day at Uğur Mumcu Cultural and Arts Center. As part of Saturday’s program, experts explored topics including “Stone Masons with Geological Knowledge at Göbeklitepe,” “Göbeklitepe and Geology: The Importance of Stone,” “The Memory of Stone: The Story of Bazda,” and “Harran and Civilization.”

Afternoon sessions featured presentations on “Earthquakes: The Pulse of a Living Planet,” “A Scientific Journey to Antarctica,” and “Living with Volcanoes,” attracting considerable interest from academics and industry representatives. The day concluded with an energetic Yaygara concert at Ayfer Feray Open-Air Theatre.

The Energy of the Future Takes Center Stage as Lifetime Achievement Awards Are Presented

On the festival’s final day, strategic panels focusing on earth sciences and the future took center stage. Sunday’s program opened with the session “Anatolia and Paleontology,” followed by a “Renewable Energy Sources” panel that brought together industry representatives and academics.

The festival officially came to a close following the presentation of “Lifetime Achievement Awards” to individuals who have devoted many years of service to the geological community and the industry.

Throughout the weekend, interactive science workshops for children—including “Layers of the Earth,” “Rock Detective,” “Mineral Hunt,” “Fossil Footprints,” “Volcano Experiment,” and “Earthquake Table”—also attracted large numbers of young science enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, the “Stone and Human” exhibition, opened as part of the festival and featuring a diverse collection ranging from fossils to rare stones, will remain open to visitors free of charge at Bornova Municipality’s Uğur Mumcu Cultural and Arts Center until October 30.