Turkish cities expand youth centers and programs

Samsun’s new Petek Genç youth hub, opened by Mayor Halit Doğan, has attracted over 123,000 students in its first 38 weeks, offering study spaces, a library, cafeteria, laundry service and digital courses such as Python data analysis and 3‑D modeling.

In Trabzon, Mayor Ahmet Metin Genç inaugurated the Barva Football Academy for 40 children, including ten with special needs, stressing the role of sport in education and personal development. He also took part in a children’s activity in Ortahisar that drew 230 pupils for face‑painting and games.

Yıldırım district in Bursa hosted the “Young Writers Meet Young Readers” program, where author Muhammed Emre Sarımlaz spoke to schoolchildren and distributed books. Meanwhile, Canik municipality announced a June cultural program featuring a conference on traditional healing and a fifth exhibition of handmade women’s home‑crafts.

İzmir’s Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay visited Kemalpaşa, presented footballs to children and attended the 53rd Altın Kiraz Cultural and Art Festival, highlighting the city’s role in supporting youth and community activities.