Art and Labor Meeting from HAK-İŞ: 50th Anniversary Special Exhibition and 15th International Short Film Competition

HAK-İŞ Confederation continues to strengthen its deep-rooted stance in the trade union struggle through art and cultural activities. Confederation and Hizmet-İş Union President Mahmut Arslan once again emphasized their vision of opening "new channels" for the trade union movement by announcing pioneering projects in the field of culture and arts. In this context, the sustained success of the 15th International Short Film Competition and an art exhibition for the Confederation's 50th Anniversary, the proceeds of which will be donated to Palestine, came to the fore.

The Reflection of Labor on the White Screen: 15th Anniversary Pride

President Arslan explained HAK-İŞ's mission to support the trade union struggle through art in the following words: "We have always advocated the opening of new channels for trade union struggle, as well as the opening of veins in the name of culture and art. We are entering our 15th year since the year we took office. We started with our international short film competition, which we will organize for the 15th time this year."

Stating that this competition, which is carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is the most important project of the trade union movement in the artistic field, Arslan drew attention to the international success of the event: "We are talking about a sustainable and high-participation event, which is rare in the world, with over 4,000 short films participating every year. This competition is also one of the most important of our pioneering works in the field of culture and arts. In addition, we continue our photography exhibition together with the Ministry and continue to open new areas."

Meaningful Signature of 50th Anniversary: Special Exhibition on Palestine and Labor

Mudmud Arslan announced that a very special exhibition will meet with art lovers in October on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of HAK-İŞ and shared the theme and purpose of the exhibition: "On this occasion, we are planning to open an exhibition consisting of specially prepared works on the theme of Palestine and labor by Turkey's most important painters in the field of culture and arts. It will be a great honor for us to exhibit the works of Turkey's most special artists in this field in an art gallery planned by our Confederation and turn them into donations for Palestine."

Emine Özdemir to Gaza "Abundance of Handmade Work"

Artist Emine Özdemir, whose works are included in the exhibition and who is also the wife of Halil Özdemir, Deputy General President of Hizmet-İş Union, made an emotional speech at the opening. Özdemir stated that the exhibition is a reflection of President Arslan's support and vision for the arts and said: "Today my dreams have come true. I would like to sincerely thank him for his great support in the realization of this exhibition. I am also grateful to my precious husband Halil Özdemir, who is always by my side."

Absolute to the humanitarian drama in Palestine, Özdemir expressed the purpose of the exhibition in the following words: "The screams of children, the tears of mothers and the cries of fathers in the massacre in Gaza break all our hearts. with the abundance of my handicraft, I sincerely wish to be able to heal their wounds, even if it is small."

President Arslan pointed out the importance of Emine Özdemir's participation in this exhibition not only as an artist but also as a part of the labor movement, and said, "These works, which have been prepared with more than ten years of experience, cannot be materially compensated. The aim here is labor and solidarity" and thanked him for his contributions to the union struggle.

New Paths Opened by Sincerity in Trade Union Struggle

Arslan emphasized that HAK-İŞ's effort to bring culture and art together with the trade union struggle is sincere and faithful: "Our struggle is not limited to workers' rights. Culture and art are also an integral part of this struggle. We do culture and art not just for the sake of mentioning its name or for a token activity, we do it with real conviction and sincerity. This is not an easy task. It is difficult to bring people with furrowed brows, people who come from strikes and protests together with culture and art, but we are trying to do this and succeeding."

At the end of the speeches, President Arslan thanked the Culture and Art Committees of HAK-İŞ and Hizmet-İş Trade Union for being the power behind these successful works. At the opening of the exhibition, Sevda Gülce Özyurt, Head of the Culture and Art Committee of Hizmet-İş Trade Union, made a greeting speech and expressed her gratitude to Mahmut Arslan for his support. After the speeches, the special exhibition of handcrafted works was opened.