Curtains of the stage opened for children

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Theater Club students staged Swiss writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt's play 'The Visit of the Old Lady' for child survivors of the earthquake. Building a bridge of goodness by taking advantage of the unifying and motivating power of art, IUE students asked the audience to bring books for children aged 8-12, instead of purchasing tickets.

This exemplary behavior of the young people spread out of the campus in a short time and the people of Izmir filled the hall. 435 books were collected for children at the event, which was held in IUE Conference Hall with the support of Konak District Directorate of National Education. These books were delivered to the National Education authorities to be donated to the library of a school in the earthquake zone.

IUE Acting Rector, Prof. Dr. Hakan Abacıoğlu, academics and students attended the play co-organized by IUE Art Coordinatorship and IUE Theater Club. Bringing both educational and entertaining books for children, the young people of IUE accomplished an exemplary social responsibility project.

THEY PRACTICED FOR 8 WEEKS

IUE Art Coordinator Sinemis Eser Akaoğlu said that the students worked with professional theater artists Emrah Şenışık and Gizem Karasu Mersinli for 8 weeks to stage the play. Stating that the Izmir State Theater Directorate provided support to them on costumes, Akaoğlu said, “Students really put a lot of effort into the staging of the theatre. More than 50 students from different programs such as medicine, architecture, engineering and industrial design took part on and behind the scenes. The books collected at the University will be donated to the library of a school located in the earthquake zone. It was a pleasure for all of us to take part in such a project. Actually, about 600 books were collected. However, we determined that 435 of them were suitable for the desired age range for children. We donated the remaining books to Izmir Atatürk Provincial Public Library. I would like to congratulate IUE Theater Club President İrem Türk and all students for organizing such a meaningful event.”