On May 20, International Students Day was commemorated at Ibn Haldun University, where international students from approximately 88 countries gathered to showcase their cultures, values, languages, foods and ideas. Following that, on May 21-24, the 8th Ethnosport Culture Festival was held in Istanbul, where again, people from different geographies showcased their sports and cultures.
In these two gatherings, people from different countries, faiths, races and languages gathered around their shared humanity and on the principle of coexistence based on ontological dignity for all human beings, justice, equality and resistance to structures and ideologies of oppression.
The fact that these activities took place in Istanbul is not a coincidence. Istanbul’s civilizational history makes it a nexus where different civilizations can engage in dialogue.
Moreover, Istanbul, and by extension Türkiye, has become the homeland for many international students, diaspora communities, expatriates and travelers who have been mesmerized by the Anatolian culture and spirit of hospitality. Hence, in this age of global mobility, we need to expand the notions of belonging, identity and homeland.
Homeland transcends borders
