TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland starts today

The reflection of the National Technology Initiative vision at sea will gain a new dimension this year with the "TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland " to be organized within the scope of " TEKNOFEST 2025".

Starting today at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard and continuing until August 31st, events will bring together technology and defense industry enthusiasts with a maritime focus. The events, which will be open to the public on August 30th and 31st, will be open to those who register online. The event will be open to visitors in three separate sessions: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Each visitor will be granted entry to only one session.

PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN IS EXPECTED TO ATTEND

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to attend the event and deliver a speech on the first day.

The event, which will focus on maritime and underwater technologies, will feature the Unmanned Underwater Systems Competition, Underwater Rocket Competition, and Unmanned Marine Vehicle Competition.

In addition, prominent Turkish Navy ships such as the TCG Anadolu, TCG İstanbul, TCG Burgazada, TCG Oruçreis, TCG Nusret, TCG Sakarya, and TCG Hızırreis will be on display. Visitors will be treated to a vibrant experience with virtual reality areas, special demonstrations by the SAT and SAS Commands, a "Blue Homeland Time Tunnel," and various exhibitions.

As part of the festival, National Defense University President Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu, historian and author Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, and Rear Admiral Mehmet Emre Sezenler will give lectures. A National Aircraft Carrier Forum will also be held.

BLUE HOMELAND ARTICLE AND PICTURE COMPETITIONS

The Blue Homeland Article and Painting Competitions, which will be held as part of the event, aim to ensure that young generations understand Türkiye's maritime jurisdictions, national security policies and geopolitical vision, and to develop scientific, critical and creative perspectives on this subject.

As part of the essay contest, participants at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels will be asked to write original articles of 500 to 1,000 words. These articles will be shared on the social media platform NSosyal.

This competition aims to strengthen research and critical thinking skills in high school students and academic analysis and scientific approach at the university level.

The Blue Homeland Painting Competition aims to develop the imagination and expression skills of primary and secondary school students through painting.

Participants are asked to create an original artwork themed "Blue Homeland." The artwork will be shared on NSosyal.

Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TEKNOFEST and the Turkish Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation), announced on his social media account that a special trip to the TCG Sakarya and TCG Hızırreis submarines, as well as the TCG Savarona, will be organized for the winners of the event.

A Glorious Opening from the Guardians of the "Blue Homeland"

As part of TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland, a magnificent parade was held in the Bosphorus with the participation of the Turkish Navy's elite platforms.

The event, held under the auspices of the Presidency and hosted by the Ministry of National Defense, brought the excitement of national technology from the Bosphorus to all of Türkiye.

Citizens showed great interest in the parade ceremony of the Turkish Naval Forces fleet, consisting of a total of 9 ships, including the Savarona yacht, a spiritual legacy of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the TCG Anadolu, in the Bosphorus.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while greeting the distinguished ships of the Turkish Navy transiting the Bosphorus at Dolmabahçe Palace, made the following statement on his social media account: "A journey to the Blue Homeland with our strong and powerful navy during our Victory Week, which is etched in history with golden letters."