A Trace of Resistance Through Art from KADEM: New Digital Symbols for Palestine

“Young Traces in Palestinian Memory” project, implemented by the Trabzon Youth Committee of the Women and Democracy Foundation (KADEM), concluded with a closing ceremony. Organized in collaboration with Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon University, and Provincial Directorate of National Education/Advanced Technical School for Girls, the project was completed with broad participation on June 24th at the historical Girls’ Monastery in Trabzon.

The following names attended the closing ceremony: Chair of the KADEM Board of Directors, Lawyer Dr. Canan Sarı; Governor of Trabzon, Aziz Yıldırım; Rector of Trabzon University, Prof. Dr. Emin Aşıkkutlu; Rector of Karadeniz Technical University, Prof. Dr. Hamdullah Çuvalcı; Mayor of Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality, Lawyer Ahmet Metin Genç; Provincial Director of National Education, Hasan Uygun; KADEM Trabzon Representative, Elif Yükünç; KADEM Youth Trabzon Coordinator and Project Manager, Melike Nur Seyyar.

 “These pieces stand as a salute from Türkiye’s conscientious and compassionate youth to the Palestinian people”

Speaking at the closing ceremony, KADEM Chairperson Lawyer Dr. Canan Sarı said: “We know that art is a powerful language and a strong form of resistance. And today, here we are supporting the rightful struggle of the Palestinian people through art. The goal of our young volunteers, who brought this project to life, was to introduce a new symbol from Trabzon to Palestinian cultural heritage. And the motifs created through the lines, colors, and dreams of these young people have become a manifest of resistance. By producing designs as familiar as a keffiyeh, as resilient as an olive brunch, and as symbolic as a key, they have craved a place for themselves in the memory of Palestine. Today, we see not only the motifs, but also the efforts, dreams, and hopes of our students. This journey, spanning from digital designs to textile products, is as meaningful as it is remarkable. These pieces also stand as a salute from Türkiye’s conscientious and compassionate youth to the people of Palestine.”

Accepted within the scope of the KADEM Youth Grant Program, the project aimed to introduce a new symbol from Trabzon into Palestinian cultural heritage, to raise awareness about the atrocities faced in Palestine, and to support the Palestinian people’s struggle for freedom.

The “Young Traces in Palestinian Memory” Project Helped Raise Awareness

The project, which set out to draw attention to the cultural and ethnic genocide that has persisted for 70 years, focused on the idea of resistance through art. Through digital designs created by the students from the Art Teaching Department of Trabzon University, the aim was to contribute new symbols to the set of authentic Palestinian emblems—such as the key, Handala, watermelon, and keffiyeh. Through training sessions, graphic works and academic support during the project, a bond was formed between Palestine and the youth.

Traces of Resistance through Art

Within the scope of the project, which was implemented with contributions from students of the Art Teaching Department of Trabzon University, training sessions were held on topics such as the history and actual situation of Jerusalem, the invasion of Palestinian lands, and resistance through art. In this context, the students—guided by their graphic design teachers—produced genuine digital designs using associations and symbols of Palestine.

In the end, by the evaluation of the jury, among 10 digital symbols/designs created during the project:

• Sueda Bostan’s design titled “The Spiral of Faith” was selected as the first,
• Doğukan Akgün’s design titled “The Land Whose Gate Never Closes” was selected as the second,
• and Saadet Su Istif’s design titled “The Shadow of the Key” was selected as the third.

“We Raised Our Voice for Hope and Resistance through Art”

Taking the floor at the closing ceremony, Elif Yükünç, KADEM’s Trabzon Representative, spoke about KADEM’s efforts to strenghten women’s presence in social, political, and cultural fields, and thanked all institutions and individuals who contributed to the project. Yükünç said: “We successfully concluded this meaningful project, which aimed to announce to the world the resistance, hope, and peace living in Gaza through the universal language of art.”

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates to the young people who contributed to the project, the exhibition of digital designs, and a children’s fashion show.