Folkart Gallery, under the auspices of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, is hosting a unique exhibition that sheds light on the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic: “And His Blue Eyes Sparkled.”
This unique exhibition brings together over 300 previously unseen photographs of Atatürk, 400 significant works, newspapers and magazines from the period, correspondence, and numerous historical documents.
At the “And His Blue Eyes Sparkled” exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to explore Atatürk's leadership journey from 1907 to 1938 through both a historical and emotional perspective.
Each object, each document, is not only a witness to an era but also a reflection of Atatürk's vision, determination, and humanity...
Highlights:
* An original letter belonging to Zübeyde Hanım
* Special documents related to Atatürk's health records
* An electrocardiogram machine, a blood pressure monitor, and signed documents
* Personal belongings
* Rare printed materials and archives that capture the spirit of the era
Named after Nâzım Hikmet’s immortal verses, the exhibition “And His Blue Eyes Sparkled Like Fire” takes viewers on a journey through time, showing that Atatürk was not only a great leader but also a profound human being.
This exhibition is more than just an art event; it is a space for discovery woven with history, vision, and inspiration.
Kemal Atatürk
The exhibition presents a powerful visual narrative of a remarkable journey — from the final years of the Ottoman Empire, when it was labeled by Europe as “the sick man” and seen as nearing its end around 1918, to the early years of the Republic of Turkey, born out of the hardships and resilience of the War of Independence.
For this meaningful exhibition, Folkart Gallery also received voluntary support from some of Turkey’s esteemed Atatürk collectors, further enriching the content and historical depth of the display.