Zeki Müren exhibition opens: Features stage costumes and shoes

The exhibition, which recounts the life and artistic career of the master artist Zeki Müren, was prepared with the support of the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV) and the Turkish Armed Forces Mehmetçik Foundation, to which the artist donated his works in his will.

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, which is on display in the entrance hall of the Bursa City Museum, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş stated that culture and art build a bridge between the past and the present.

Aktaş said, "The subject of culture and art is not like the municipality's other tasks. I was excited and very moved here today. I remember his naive demeanor and his excellent command of the Turkish language very well. I am sure that Zeki Müren will be remembered for generations to come. He is someone who has undoubtedly written his name in golden letters in the history of Turkish music."

'THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION HAS HONORED US ALL'

TEV Chairman of the Board Mehmet Şükrü Tekbaş also said, "It was our turn today to open an exhibition consisting of Zeki Müren's belongings here, in Turkey's first city museum. I would like to thank everyone who contributed. I hope the exhibition will be permanent. Our 'Sun of Art' was a guest in all of our homes. Several generations grew up with him. He was an example to us all with his humility and his excellent use of the Turkish language."

Explaining that the foundation has provided scholarships to 4 thousand students in Zeki Müren's name to date, Tekbaş stated, "As TEV and the Mehmetçik Foundation, we opened a fine arts high school in Bursa, and we are providing opportunities for young people to develop here as well. We commemorate Zeki Müren, whom we remember at his graveside every year, with a great festival in Bodrum during the summer months with his music. The opening of such an exhibition in Bursa has honored us all."

Mehmetçik Foundation President, retired Brigadier General İsmail Şanlı, said, "We commemorate Zeki Müren every year, who is known for his patriotism and the importance he placed on education alongside his artistic identity, and who donated all his assets to the Turkish Education Foundation and the Mehmetçik Foundation. We try to keep his memories alive with the events we organize. We want to multiply these memories with the exhibition we opened today."

HIS LETTERS AND COMPOSITIONS ARE ON DISPLAY

The exhibition, which can be visited for one year, features the artist's stage costumes, glasses, shoes, piano, records, and many personal belongings, as well as his handwritten compositions, letters, and notes.

In addition, a large majority of the collection consists of photographs belonging to Zeki Müren. Souvenir photos with many artists, from Fatma Girik to Ajda Pekkan, and from Cüneyt Arkın to Müzeyyen Senar, are also included.

In addition to a high-quality display reflecting the famous artist's artistic identity and works, the exhibition also features digital displays consisting of designs drawn by the artist himself and applications created with artificial intelligence.