İskeçe Turkish Union hosts youth meeting with journalist and author İbrahim Baltalı

The Youth Branch of the İskeçe Turkish Union (İTB) hosted journalist, researcher and author İbrahim Baltalı as part of its monthly "Youth Meetings" program, bringing young people together for a discussion on the history, cultural heritage and literature of Western Thrace.

The event attracted strong participation and featured a conversation focused on the region’s historical legacy, cultural identity and the importance of documenting local heritage.

Opening the program, İTB Youth Branch President Sudem Ömer said the "Youth Meetings" initiative has received significant interest from young people and expressed satisfaction with bringing together figures who have contributed to different fields of cultural and intellectual life.

The discussion was moderated by Rasiye Şabanoğlu, the media coordinator of the İTB Youth Branch.

During the meeting, Baltalı shared his experiences in writing, his research methods and the sources he used while preparing his works. He spoke in detail about the process behind his major publication, the "Encyclopedia of Western Thrace Villages", which was developed through years of field research and visits to villages across the region.

Emphasizing the importance of recording cultural heritage for future generations, Baltalı also shared personal experiences from his research journey and explained the challenges of documenting local history.

The program also included a discussion on the long-running "Rodop Rüzgarı" magazine, focusing on its establishment, publishing approach and contribution to the cultural memory of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.

At the conclusion of the event, a raffle was held for five copies of the "Encyclopedia of Western Thrace Villages", donated by previous "Youth Meetings" guests Hüseyin Bostancı, President of BAKEŞ, and BAKEŞ Personnel Director Özcan Mehmet.

The books were distributed to Buket Kınalı, Ravza Giritli, Selin Alibaşoğlu, Zeynep Osmanoğlu and Hümeyra İngacı. The event ended with the presentation of gifts, a group photograph and a thank-you ceremony for İbrahim Baltalı.