Joy and pride came together in Bornova

The Spring Festival organized at the Bornova Municipality Youth Education Center (BELGEM), which provides free educational support to students, was filled with colorful and joyful moments. Held in the garden of the BELGEM building in Çamdibi, the event brought together students, families, and teachers for an unforgettable day. Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki also attended the festival, sharing in the excitement of the students and emphasizing the importance of touching children’s lives by saying, “If our children are happy, we are all happy.”

Throughout the festival, children performed dance shows and sang songs while families experienced moments of pride and joy. The event concluded with great applause as students performed a special choreography accompanied by the recitation of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s “Address to the Youth.” Guests were also offered various refreshments, making it a spring day filled with solidarity and happiness for the BELGEM family.

Mayor Eşki: “We will open new branches”

Speaking at the festival, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki stated that BELGEM’s capacity had been significantly expanded and emphasized their commitment to creating equal opportunities in education. He noted that BELGEM, which previously served around 2,000 students, now reaches more than 6,000 students, and also shared future goals for the institution.

Explaining that they aim to improve both the capacity and quality of BELGEM Preparatory School, Mayor Eşki said:

“Previously we had around two thousand students. Now we have more than six thousand students. We also wanted to provide educational materials, books, and test kits for the students coming here, and we achieved that as well. We opened a cafeteria here. Soon, we will open branches in many parts of Bornova — including Altındağ, Bornova center, Evka-4, İnönü, and Atatürk neighborhoods.”

“When our children smile, we are all happy”

Mayor Eşki also shared his feelings as a father during his speech, emphasizing that children’s happiness is more important than anything else.

“I am also the father of two children. Our children are the most precious part of our lives. Last night my daughter spent the night in the hospital. My wife and I experienced the anxiety of that situation until morning. Just as we all become happy when our children smile, and just as nothing in life has meaning when they are upset — being a mayor, being any other person, or even being a doctor caring for dozens of children every day means nothing. If our children are happy, we are all happy. If the children of a country and a city are happy, then all families are happy.”

Mayor Eşki emphasized that Bornova Municipality continues working to positively impact children’s lives, adding:

“That is why we strive to reach as many children as possible, create as much equality of opportunity in education as we can, provide them with the highest quality education and materials, and do everything possible to bring more smiles to their faces.”