Yunus Emre InstituteOn the evening of 6 May 2025, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London opened its doors to a profoundly moving exhibition that invited visitors to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the inner self. Healing the Soul (Ruha Şifa) brought together leading names in Turkish calligraphy around a theme both timeless and timely: the healing of the human spirit through sacred art.
Organised in collaboration with Albayrak Group, Ruh Sağlığı Derneği (Mental Health Association), KimPsikoloji, and Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London, the exhibition explored the intersections between traditional Islamic calligraphy and contemporary approaches to mental wellbeing. Curated by Dr Ömer Akgül, the exhibition was not simply an artistic display, but a contemplative space—one where visual beauty met psychological insight.
The opening ceremony welcomed a distinguished group of speakers, each underlining the power of art to soothe, inspire, and connect. Among them were Mr Ömer Bolat, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye; His Excellency Mr Osman Koray Ertaş, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the United Kingdom; Honourable Mr Afzal Khan CBE, Member of Parliament; and Mr Abdullah Hanönü, General Manager of Albayrak Media Group. Their remarks reflected a shared commitment to cultural initiatives that unite heritage, public wellbeing, and meaningful dialogue.
Also in attendance were long-time advocates of Islamic arts, including Sir Terence Clark, former British diplomat and author, and Dr Ahmad Al-Dubayan, Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre in London. Their presence further underscored the cross-cultural and cross-generational resonance of the exhibition.
In his opening remarks, Dr Mehmet Karakuş, Director of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London, reaffirmed the Institute’s dedication to supporting artistic expressions that remain rooted in tradition while engaging with contemporary human concerns. Mr Hanönü described the exhibition as an invitation to emotional balance and spiritual renewal—particularly important in today’s complex and often overwhelming world. Minister Bolat praised the project’s ability to elevate traditional Islamic arts as both culturally rich and urgently relevant to modern mental health discourse.
At the heart of Healing the Soul were 15 original works by contemporary Turkish calligraphers, each piece a visual meditation on divine love, surrender, balance, and inner peace. The featured artists—Abdullah Furkan Yaman, Arif Özdem, Cemali Gündoğdu, Ceyhun Oydem, Faruk Eratlı, Hanife Yiğit Alpaydın, Mehmet Özel, Muhammed Nuri Çelikkaya, Nadir Tatar, Osman Çiçek, Senem Demirci, Yahya Yaldız, and Zeynep Albayrak—drew from centuries-old artistic traditions while engaging with deeply personal and universal themes.
Though many of the artists could not be present at the opening, their works resonated in quiet eloquence. Carefully crafted with ink, gold leaf, and spiritual intention, each piece invited viewers to consider: How do we endure pain? Where do we seek meaning? Can sacred words offer a form of healing?
More than an exhibition, Healing the Soul became a space for introspection and connection—a reminder that beauty, faith, and emotional wellbeing are not separate pursuits, but intimately intertwined.