Farewell messages to Erkan Yolaç from the worlds of art and politics

Famous presenter Erkan Yolaç has passed away at the age of 89. Yolaç had left a mark on memories with his 'Yes-No' contest. The death of the famous figure has caused sadness in the worlds of art and politics. Here are the farewell posts for Yolaç from various famous names...

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Farewell messages to Erkan Yolaç from the worlds of art and politics

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Erkan Yolaç, the presenter of the 'Yes-No' contest, one of the phenomenal competitions of the 1970s and 1980s, has passed away at the hospital where he was receiving treatment.

Yolaç's death was met with sadness in the political and artistic communities, as well as at TRT, where he worked for many years.

WHO SAID WHAT AFTER ERKAN YOLAÇ'S DEATH?

TRT: We have learned with deep sadness of the passing of our senior colleague Erkan Yolaç, one of the iconic figures of our institution and the presenter of the 'Yes-No' contest, a classic of Turkish television broadcasting. We wish God's mercy upon Erkan Yolaç, a valued member of our extended family with his unique style, warm humor, and always smiling face, and we extend our condolences to his grieving family, his loved ones, and the broadcasting world.

Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye Mehmet Nuri Ersoy: We are experiencing the deep sorrow of bidding farewell to Erkan Yolaç, one of the unforgettable faces of our television screens. We will always remember him with his smiling face. Our condolences. May he rest in peace.

Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Ekrem İmamoğlu: We are saddened by the loss of Erkan Yolaç, whom we all remember with admiration for his iconic presenting style. I wish God's mercy upon him and extend my condolences to his family and all his loved ones.

Mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mansur Yavaş: I learned the news of the passing of famous presenter Erkan Yolaç with great sadness. I wish God's mercy upon the deceased and patience to his family and loved ones.

Ministry of Culture and Tourism: We have learned with deep sadness of the passing of the unforgettable face of our screens, Erkan Yolaç. We wish God's mercy upon the deceased. Our condolences to his family and all his loved ones.

Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Erkan Yolaç, one of the famous names of the television world who left his mark on an era with the unforgettable TRT program 'Yes-No' contest and brought the excitement of the competition into our homes. I wish God's mercy upon Mr. Yolaç and extend my condolences to his family and all his loved ones. May he rest in peace.

Ayşegül Aldinç: Erkan Yolaç, whom the generation I belong to knew and loved through the 'Yes-No' contest, has unfortunately passed away. May he receive abundant mercy and rest in peace. I wish patience to his family.

Gülben Ergen: My dear elder Erkan Yolaç. My first screen experience in my life was with the 'Yes-No' contest. I wish God's mercy upon him and patience to his very dear wife Asuman Hanım, his entire family, and his loved ones.

Nebil Özgentürk: He offered quality joy, enthusiasm, and entertainment for years... Those were the black and white days. It could be considered a slightly innocent age. Especially when we look at the terrifying years of today...

Behzat Uygur: Erkan Yolaç was an example to all of us as a graceful and elegant gentleman, with his masterful use of the Turkish language and his family life. He captured our hearts with the 'Yes-No' contest. I remember him with love and respect. I extend my condolences to all his loved ones, especially his family. May he rest in peace.

Sümer Ezgü: We have lost Erkan Yolaç. The valuable people of an era are leaving one by one. May he sleep in light.

İzzet Çapa: We have lost Erkan Yolaç, whom we watched without blinking with his joy, intelligence, and talent. Another very special page of our youth has closed with his passing. May his soul be blessed, his grave be filled with light, and his place be in heaven. Condolences to Türkiye...

WHO IS ERKAN YOLAÇ?

Erkan Yolaç (born February 24, 1935, Kırklareli) was a Turkish television presenter.

He was known as the "presenter of the 'Yes-No Contest'" in the Studio Sunday program, which was broadcast on Sundays on TRT television starting in 1985.

ERKAN YOLAÇ'S LIFE

He was born in 1935 in the Babaeski district of Kırklareli. He was a member of a family from Edirne that had migrated to Türkiye from Sofia. His mother was Hikmet Hanım, and his father was Mehmet Bey, who worked at the Alpullu Sugar Factory. According to Erkan Yolaç, his family took the surname "Yolaç" because his father was an engineer (who "opened roads").

The Yolaç family moved to Istanbul when Erkan Yolaç was six years old. Erkan Yolaç began his secondary education in Istanbul at the Saint-Joseph French High School, and continued a year later at the Kenan Evren Anatolian High School. When his family moved to Karabük in 1951 due to his father's work, he continued his education as a boarding student at Kastamonu High School.

While a student at Kastamonu High School, he had his first presenting experience by making announcements from the municipal announcement microphones under the guidance of his literature teacher, Rauf Mutluay. After this first experience, he began making all the municipality's announcements at the request of Mayor Osman Zeki Oktay.

In 1959, he graduated from the Istanbul State Academy of Fine Arts as an interior architect. In 1960, he presented a holiday special entertainment program on Ankara Radio. He worked in casinos with names such as Huysuz Virjin, Orhan Boran, and Leyla Sayar. He adapted the "Yes-No" contest, which had previously been conducted by the British broadcaster BBC, to his own style and performed it on stage for the first time in 1962 at the Caddebostan Casino.

In this contest, contestants would try to answer Yolaç's questions for two minutes without using the words Yes or No. Yolaç presented this contest for years on stage, on the radio, and on television. In 1964, he acted in two feature films.

He married Asuman Tuğberk, the 1970 Miss Turkey, in 1976. Together with his wife, he established and operated a garment workshop. The couple had a daughter and a son.

Yolaç became known throughout Türkiye with the 'Yes-No' contest he presented within the Studio Sunday program broadcast on TRT television starting in 1985. Starting in 1996, he hosted an entertainment program called "Erkan Yolaç Show" on the TGRT channel.

Erkan Yolaç passed away on May 17, 2024.