Ozge Ovun Sert - ATA-DC

YADIGÂR (Memento): Weaving Heritage Across Generations

Ozge Ovun Sert — Thu, 07 May 2026 00:12:52 +0000

A conversation on dowry culture, women’s labor, and the journey of tradition from Anatolia to the United States

The AKM-YADIGÂR (Memento) program in Washington, DC, drew significant attention through a dynamic series of cultural events celebrating Turkish textile heritage, Anatolian handicrafts, and traditional arts. Led by Dr. Vega Sankur, the growing initiative continues to introduce the richness of Anatolian craftsmanship to American audiences through exhibitions, workshops, and storytelling.

A key part of the Washington program took place at the George Washington University Textile Museum, where hands-on kilim weaving and felt-making workshops were presented by artists and curators Nalan Kumlalı Atahan and Gülendam Ece Hürmeydan. The workshops attracted strong interest and created meaningful cultural exchange through traditional art.

The celebration continued with the opening of the AKM-YADIGÂR Anatolian Handcraft and Textile Exhibition, hosted and organized by ATA-DC, The American Turkish featuring rare textiles, embroidery, and handmade works that reflect centuries of Turkish cultural heritage.

One of the most distinguished moments of the program was held at the Residence of the Embassy of Türkiye in Washington, DC, where an exclusive YADIGÂR fashion show introduced invited Turkish and American guests to extraordinary handmade garments and historic textiles. Each piece was presented with its story, era, and cultural significance, creating an intimate and memorable connection between the audience and the living history they represent.

More than an exhibition, YADIGÂR (Memento) has become a respected traveling cultural platform preserving family heirlooms, women’s craftsmanship, and the historical journey of Anatolian textiles. By transforming private memories into a shared public legacy, the project strengthens Turkish-American cultural ties and ensures this heritage is carried into future generations.

ATANews magazine’s Feriha Istar, who worked alongside curators Atahan and Hürmeydan to bring the Washington, DC leg of the project to life, sat down with them to discuss the vision, journey, and cultural resonance of YADIGÂR.

How did you evolve Dr. Vega Sankur’s vision into a multi-sensory, traveling exhibition?

As curators, we built upon Dr. Sankur’s vision by transforming dowry culture into an immersive cultural journey. We used our treasured heirlooms as a base and then combined storytelling, sensory design, live demonstrations, and adaptable exhibition formats so YADIGÂR could travel while maintaining its emotional depth and authenticity.

The exhibition centers on Anatolia’s dowry tradition. How do you reinterpret something so intimate and domestic into a collective cultural narrative without losing its personal depth?

We approached each piece as a personal story rather than an object. By honoring the makers, their memories, and their craftsmanship, we created a space where visitors connect individual experiences to universal themes of family, identity, and belonging.

Many of the pieces come from women who migrated from Anatolia to the U.S. How do these objects change in meaning when they move across geography from private homes to exhibition spaces in America?

These objects become bridges between cultures. In private homes, they preserved family memories; in exhibition spaces they gain a wider voice, representing migration and the continuity of heritage across borders.

YADIGÂR is described as a tribute to women’s labor and cultural transmission. What conversations do you hope this exhibition sparks around invisible labor, memory, and intergenerational knowledge?

We hope audiences recognize the unseen labor, patience, and creativity behind handmade traditions. We also want to inspire conversations about how women preserve culture and pass knowledge from one generation to the next.

Unlike traditional exhibitions, YADIGÂR incorporates textures, sounds, fragrances, and even taste. How did you design this multi-sensory approach, and what does it allow audiences to understand that visual display alone cannot?

We wanted visitors to feel the heritage, not only observe it. Textures, sounds, scents, and taste create emotional memories and offer a deeper understanding of how these traditions were lived in everyday life.

The Washington, DC leg of this project brought together organizations like ATA-DC, Anatolian Artisans, the GW Textile Museum, and ATAMLA-AKM. How have these collaborations shaped the exhibition’s impact and expanded its reach to broader audiences?

Collaboration has been essential. We worked extremely well with all the DC organizations; all contributed volunteers, ideas, heirlooms, models, and the Kardelen dance routine, enriching AKM YADIGÂR in DC. Working with respected organizations also expanded visibility, created academic and cultural dialogue, and introduced YADIGÂR to new communities that may not otherwise encounter Anatolian heritage.

The recent fashion show at the Turkish Embassy in DC highlighted garments passed down through generations. How does incorporating performance and fashion deepen the idea of “living heritage” within YADIGÂR?

Performance definitely brings heritage into motion. When garments are worn again, they move beyond display and become living expressions of identity, elegance, tradition, and continuity between past and present. We’d like to thank the Turkish Embassy for their patronage in DC. We are especially grateful to Ambassador Honorable Sedat Onal and Mrs. Figen Onal for opening their home and organizing this event. We also appreciate all the volunteers organized by ATA-DC. It was a great collaboration experience for everyone.

The post YADIGÂR (Memento): Weaving Heritage Across Generations first appeared on ATA-DC.

Alperen Şengün: The Rise of a Turkish Star in NBA

Ozge Ovun Sert — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 16:29:25 +0000

BY ÖZGE ÖVÜN SERT

The 2025–2026 NBA season marked a turning point not only for the Houston Rockets but also for Turkish basketball: Alperen Şengün—only a year after becoming the second Turkish player ever selected for the NBA All-Star Game—erupted into an unforeseeable force that shattered expectations, producing numbers that challenge and redefine the modern game. Once regarded as a promising European prospect, he has surged into the conversation as one of the league’s most dominant and versatile centers. For the Turkish American community, his rise has been a source of immense pride, proving that a young athlete shaped by Türkiye’s sporting culture can rise to global prominence in the world’s most competitive basketball league. Şengün’s story, however, is not the typical NBA fairy tale.His journey is marked by quiet perseverance, intense discipline, and unique path as he once described in his interview with Fatih Altaylı. Unlike many American prospects groomed through high-profile prep programs, Şengün was overlooked in early European scouting circles during the NBA Draft process in 2021. Many teams admired his solid skill set but questioned whether his unconventional style would translate to the NBA, and they hesitated. It was Houston Rockets that saw what others missed: a rare blend of creativity, basketball IQ and instinctive playmaking. Drafted 16th overall (via Oklahoma City), Şengün entered the league determined to prove he belonged here. Today, he has not only proved his worth — he has redefined what a modern pivot can be.

From Giresun to the World Stage:

A Childhood That Built a Champion Born in 2002 in Giresun, Şengün grew up as the youngest child in a modest and close-knit family. His father was a local fisherman, his mother a homemaker, and with an older sister 10 years his senior and a brother 8 years older, the family often struggled to make ends meet. His parents initially enrolled him in swimming, but Alperen was more captured by basketball—imitating his brother’s moves and spending hours practicing footwork that still defines his game today. At age 12, he took a life-changing leap: moving away from home to join Bandvit Youth Academy, one of the most renowned youth clubs in Türkiye. Living in a dorm, training intensely, and facing homesickness, Şengün developed not only technical skill but resilience and independence. Coaches from Bandvit still describe him as “the player who never once asked for a break” and “the most self-driven player to come out of Bandırma.” His move to Beşiktaş in the 2020–21 season became his breakout moment. At only 18, he dominated the Turkish Basketball Super League—winning the league MVP title, a rare accomplishment for a teenager. It was then that American scouts began to view him not just as a promising player, but as a future NBA star.

Emerging as a Leader for the Turkish National Team

Before making headlines in the NBA, Şengün showcased his talent on the international stage. With the Turkish National Team, he excelled in youth competitions, including a standout performance at the 2019 U18 European Championship, where Türkiye claimed the silver medal. Representing the senior National Team, Şengün has become an essential presence— bringing his post scoring, playmaking, and court vision to international competitions. In the summer of 2025, Alperen Şengün played a pivotal role in Türkiye’s run to finals at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 in Riga, Latvia. He consistently delivered high-level performances throughout the tournament, anchoring the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists, demonstrating the same versatility and composure that have defined his NBA career so far. His leadership and strategic thinking on the court helped Türkiye reach the championship game, marking one of the nation’s most impressive campaigns in recent European competitions.

NBA Breakthrough: A Pivot Putting Up Unthinkable Numbers

After that bumpy start, when his new career began in the NBA, nobody knew what to expect from him. But by his 5th NBA season (2025–26), Şengün—or Alpi, as he is nicknamed by teammates and fans—has fully transcended the traditional expectations of a “center” and transformed himself from a clever young role player into one of the league’s most elite and competitive centers. His mid-December 2025 stats show that he is averaging 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists per game—an extraordinary stat line for any big man, let alone someone playing center. In the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 21, Şengün erupted for 39 points and 11 rebounds, a jaw-dropping performance that immediately signaled that he was no longer just a role player. Ironically, Oklahoma City —the same team that selected Şengün on draft night in 2021, only to trade him away— now found itself overpowered by the player it once let go. Alpi did not merely beat the Thunder that night; he dominated them, as if closing a long-open chapter of his career. That performance was no anomaly. As the season unfolded, Şengün continued to expose elite defenses with a rare blend of footwork, vision, and patience.

On November 16, his game against the Orlando Magic led his team to a solid win, while Alpi dropped 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists—highlighting how rare it is to see such all-around production from a center in today’s NBA. What makes these numbers even more astonishing is that he’s doing them while anchoring the paint,meaning he remains a true pivot—battling inside player, setting screens, directing traffic—yet producing the all-around stat lines of a superstar guard. For a center to simultaneously function as a scorer, rebounder, and primary offensive creator is considered unprecedented. Commentators across the NBA often remark that Şengün “thinks the game two steps ahead,” and his playmaking ability has drawn comparisons to elite European players such as Nikola Jokić. While many initially labeled him “Baby Joker” (a reference to Jokić), now they argue that Alpi is forging a style entirely his own.

His evolving game has prompted commentators to abandon the initial comparison and recognize that Şengün has a distinctive style that will continue to challenge the traditional norms of basketball. Several analysts predict that if he continues this trajectory, he may soon enter legitimate MVP discussions. The Rockets’ decision to commit to him long-term with a major contract extension further signals his trajectory. He is no longer the young prospect trying to prove himself—he is the centerpiece.

What’s Next for Alperen Şengün?

For Turkish Americans, Şengün’s rise is more than a sports story. It is a reflection of perseverance, cultural pride, and the limitless potential of young athletes bridging two worlds. He has become a role model for a new generation—showing that discipline, passion, and self-belief can carry a player from the courts of Giresun to the bright lights of the NBA’s biggest arenas. As the Rockets continue to develop a young and exciting roster, expectations for Şengün grow each year. Basketball experts across both continents predict that he has not yet reached his ceiling. With improved defense, continued leadership growth, and expanding offensive range, he could become one of the defining big men of the next decade. For now, one thing is certain: Alperen Şengün isn’t just representing Türkiye in the NBA—he is reshaping what it means to be a Turkish basketball star on the global stage. And for our community, his story is a powerful reminder that the American dream and the Turkish spirit can coexist—beautifully, in harmony, and with pride.

Sources for this article:

Fatih Altaylı ile Pazar Sohbeti: Alperen Şengün Interview StatMuse+2ESPN.com+2 Land of Basketball+1 CBS Sports+1 Lastwordonsports.com/basketball/ Profootballnetwork.com/nba/alperen -sengun-history-houston

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DynamicFolk Dance Workshop

Ozge Ovun Sert — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 22:04:00 +0000

October 11, 2025 — Falls Church, VA
ATA-DC brought the energy and spirit of Anatolia to life with a Turkish Folk Dance Workshop led by a renowned dancer and
Instructor Yeliz Dingler. Held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the ATA-DC House in Falls Church, Virginia, the event invited participants to experience the rhythm, movement, and emotion of Türkiye’s regional dance traditions as part of ATA-DC’s Turkish Heritage Month celebrations. Over the course of two lively sessions, attendees learned two distinct styles of folk dance. The first hour featured Turkish Roman, known for its expressive 9/8 rhythm and storytelling gestures rooted in the Romani culture of Türkiye. The second session explored Artvin Horon and Eastern Halay — dynamic group dances that reflect the
communal spirit and diverse landscapes of the Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia. Participants of all backgrounds, ages 14 and up, joined in the movement, filling the ATA-DC House with music, laughter, and camaraderie.

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