Çelik Gülersoy Foundation

Çelik Gülersoy, who was an outstanding personality, was also an eminent literary figure and a lover of Istanbul. He first founded a charity bearing his own name on July 7th, 1981. One of the initial works of this charitable foundation, was the production of a series of publications. His first major artistic enterprise was “The Istanbul Library” in Soğukçeşme Street. In 1985.
He bequeathed all his properties to the Foundation through an unofficial, but notarised will, which was drawn up by his instruction.

Çelik Gülersoy died on July 6th 2003. According to the aforementioned will, his three trustees were entrusted with the administration of his Foundation: The Celik Gülersoy Foundation.

These three trustees are Dr. Arhan Apak (economist), Dr. Uğur İbrahimhakkıoğlu (Lawyer) and Deniz Yalav (Librarian). Their duties were assigned as follows: Dr.Arhan Apak was appointed to be President, Dr.Uğur İbrahimhakkıoğlu to be Attorney to the President and Deniz Yalav to be Accountant to the Foundation.

The Trustee Committee of the Çelik Gülersoy Foundation:

Dr. Uğur İbrahimhakkıoğlu Representative

Dr. Arhan Apak President

Deniz Yalav Accountant

When we examine the Constitution of the Çelik Gülersoy Foundation, its Founder’s aims and intentions can be readily discerned.
a) The execution of restoration, repair and reorganization works in order to protect Turkey’s artistic and cultural life and her values. To render support and assistance in all these areas.
b) The planting of trees, grass and flowers and the undertaking of all kinds of horticultural work in order to protect the country’s natural heritage and to nurture it. To assist related official and private institutions and all those people who worked within them to benefit such issues.
c) The establishment of new and exemplary institutions that would serve in the fields of health and education, and the provision of support for those already existent.
d)The printing and publishing of books, studies, albums, prospectuses and cards promoting or researching the history, culture, art and nature of Turkey.
e) The organisation of conferences and seminars to examine and publicise the values and problems of the country; and to cooperate with media communication organs for this purpose.
f) The establishment of private asylums, schools and student dormitories in the health and educational sphere, and hotels, guest houses, restaurants, tea houses and patisseries for entertainment. The overall intention is to promote and cherish the natural and historic wonders of the beloved Motherland of Turkey.
g) The organisation of excursions and study tours to promote the values and pinpoint the problems facing the country.
h) The establishment of libraries containing books and articles on the above subjects, as well as preserving archives and collections of paintings and other illustrative works and rendering them accessible to the public in perpetuity.

The Trustee Committee regard Çelik Gülersoys wishes and intentions regarding Turkey’s and Istanbul’s Cultural Heritage, and all the dreams he had when he was alive, as a sacred trust. They are working with dedication to bring them to fruition.