The award ceremony for the 19th edition of “Hişt Genç Sait Faik” story writing contest, an annual event aimed at honoring the esteemed writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık, an influential donor of Darüşşafaka, was held at the Mustafa Nuri Kınık Library of Darüşşafaka Schools on May 22, 2025, Thursday.
During the ceremony, Barkın E. was honored with the first prize for his poem “Batık Gemi/Sunken Ship” at the poetry competition organized in tribute to the esteemed poet Nigâr Hanım at Darüşşafaka Schools. His poem was presented aloud by his classmate, Utku Deniz A.
Zeynep Ö., an 11th-grade student at Darüşşafaka High School, has achieved notable recognition by securing the third prize in the Cemal Süreya Poetry Contest, which is traditionally organized by Haydarpaşa High School. Additionally, she was awarded the second prize in the Fakir Baykurt Story Writing Contest held in our district. During the event for the Cemal Süreya Poetry Contest, she presented her poem titled “Hicran Sarrafı” (Dealer of Sorrow), for which she received the aforementioned third prize.
Anıl Kanber, the Literature-Social Team Leader of Darüşşafaka Schools, delivered a speech emphasizing the significant connection between Darüşşafaka and Sait Faik Abasıyanık, as well as the importance of story writing contests held in memory of Sait Faik Abasıyanık at Darüşşafaka.
Subsequently, a documentary commemorating Sait Faik Abasıyanık was presented to the students and guests of Darüşşafaka.
Following the documentary, the members of the Supreme Jury for the Young Sait Faik Story Writing Contest, including Sibel Oral, Burcu Aktaş, and the former Head of the Turkish Department at Darüşşafaka Schools, Gülsün Kaya, were acknowledged for their contributions. Burcu Aktaş also delivered a brief address during the ceremony.
As the event progressed, Nisa N. And Esma Bera T., tenth-grade students, performed “Eternity and A Day” and “Fikrimin İnce Gülü” on contrabass and violin, providing an enjoyable experience for the attendees.
Mithat Ziya Ç., from Private ALEV High School, achieved first place with his narrative titled “Durak-Stop”, Damla Deniz D., from Private Şişli Terakki High School, secured second place with her story titled “Zalim Mart/Cruel March”, while Yağmur A., from Private ENKA High School, garnered third place with her work titled “Soğuk/Cold”, following a comprehensive evaluation of the submissions by the Pre-Jury and Supreme Jury, comprised esteemed Turkish Philology educators from Darüşşafaka Schools across Istanbul.
Furthermore, the results of this year’s contest held across Istanbul revealed that Sude Beyza D., a student from TED Istanbul College, received an Encouragement Award for her narrative titled “Portakal Kabuğu/Orange Peel”. Similarly, Beren Doğa B., from Işık Ayazağa Anatolian High School, was also honored with the same award for her work titled “Mumun Gözünden/From the Perspective of the Candle”.
The first place was awarded to Perihan K., a student in class 11-B at Darüşşafaka High School, for her story entitled “Demlikte Kalan/What Remains in the Teapot”, and Azime S., also from class 11-B, secured the second position with her narrative “Bir Küçük Kargo Meselesi/A Small Matter of Cargo”, and Ali Kağan Ş., a student from class 9-B, achieved third place with his story titled “Kaptan Kemalettin ve Sekoya Ormanı/Captain Kemalettin and Sequoia Forest”.
The award ceremony for the 19th edition of the “Hişt, Genç Sait Faik!” Story Writing Contest concluded with a collective aspiration for another year rich in storytelling.