Portraits of Sivas

A politician from Sivas, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance for the Republic of Turkey. After an academic career, he entered politics and specialized in economic policy. He represented Sivas in the Grand National Assembly for many years as a deputy.

He was an esteemed religious scholar who traveled from Sivas to Istanbul upon the invitation of Sultan Mehmed III. He used the pen name 'Şeyhi' in his poetry and authored profound works on mystical subjects. His grave is located at the Nişancı Lodge in Eyüp, Istanbul.

He was a significant figure who migrated from Khorasan to Bayburt before settling in Sivas. He served as the primary representative of the Ahi tradition, which spiritually and morally disciplined the artisan guilds. His tomb is currently preserved in Sivas by the Regional Directorate of Foundations.

Despite losing his physical sight at a young age, he produced the most universal works of Turkish folk music through his inner vision. He contributed to the academic institutionalization of folk culture by teaching baglama at Village Institutes. His poetry focused on nature, tolerance, and social unity.

A statesman from Sivas trained in the Ottoman Enderun school, he served as the Beylerbeyi of Diyarbakir and Rumeli. He left permanent marks on Sivas's architectural identity with the Behrampaşa Han and Kurşunlu Baths. He held high-level administrative positions during the reigns of Suleiman the Magnificent and Selim II.

A veterinarian from Sivas, he is the inventor of the world's first 'umbrella trocar' device, which prevents animal deaths due to gas buildup. He obtained an international patent for this invention developed at Cumhuriyet University Technopark. His invention is currently exported to many countries, from the USA to Russia.

Originally from Sivas, this artist is a figure who initiated the modern stand-up tradition in Turkey and broke box-office records in cinema. He combined the sharp observational skills of a cartoonist with screenwriting and directing. He is the most popular name who shaped an era in Turkish humor.

The Sivas-born artist is regarded as one of the most prestigious character actors in Turkish theater and cinema. He has delivered unforgettable performances in projects like 'Içerde' and 'Babam ve Oğlum' with his powerful voice and profound acting. He has been honored with numerous national awards throughout his artistic career.

The Sivas-born actress reached the peak of her career with phenomenal series like 'Çukur' following her placement in Miss Turkey. She is one of the new-generation stars of Turkish television with her modern acting style and international projects. Known for her interest in literature, she also published a poetry book at a young age.

A graduate of Sivas Sultanisi, this author was the most prominent figure in collecting and bringing Turkish fairy tales and folk stories to literature. Known by the title 'Master Storyteller,' he served in state and cultural services for exactly fifty-two years. With sixty-two published works, he became the memory of Anatolian oral culture.

Born in Sivas, this artist is one of the most elegant voices of Turkish Classical Music and an unforgettable star of Yeşilçam cinema. By combining her music career success with iconic film roles, she became one of Turkey's most beloved faces. Through her artistic identity, she created a fanbase spanning generations.

Born in the Baharözü village of Ulaş, he was a powerful folk poet known for his ability to recite improvised verse. Although he did not play the baglama, his poems on love and social issues are known by heart in many parts of Anatolia. Despite losing his sight in 1980, he continued to practice his art and recite his poetry.

During his tenure as Governor of Sivas, he led revolutionary development projects ranging from transportation to education. He laid the foundations for a modern network by building hundreds of bridges and hundreds of kilometers of roads across the region. His career culminated in the roles of Governor of Izmir and Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire.

The Sivas-born artist is a master actress from the State Theatres who has achieved international success in cinema. She earned worldwide acclaim for her performance in Nuri Bilge Ceylan's film 'Three Monkeys. She is one of the most powerful female actors in Turkish cinema, known for her deep and sophisticated character portrayals.

A graduate of the Sivas Primary Teachers' School, this researcher kept the most comprehensive record of regional culture by publishing the 'Sivas Folkloru' magazine. With nearly twenty books and dozens of journal issues, he established a foundational source for Anatolian folklore. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of science by Cumhuriyet University for his services to folk culture.

The Sivas-born artist is one of the beloved faces of modern Turkish television, known for her success in both comedy and drama roles. After completing her high school education in Sivas, she moved to Istanbul for her acting career. In recent years, she has highlighted her versatile artistic identity by engaging in screenwriting.

An influential representative of Sivas, he has held critical state positions including Minister of National Defense and Minister of National Education. As both a lawyer and an engineer, he played an active role in the region's strategic investments. He is a key political figure in Sivas's modern development projects.

Descending from the Salur branch of the Oghuz Turks, he was a scholar and politician educated in Egypt. He gained fame as 'Emir Kadı' while ruling Sivas and was a poet with divans in Turkish, Arabic, and Persian. He was killed in 1384 during a conflict with the Akkoyunlu tribe.

Living in the 13th century, he was the lead architect of the Sivas Gök Medrese, a pinnacle of Seljuk architecture. His style reflects Ilhanlı period transition features, emphasizing geometry, proportion on the facade, and prominent floral ornamentation. He left a monumental mark on Anatolian architectural history by crafting stone and marble like fine lace.

Belonging to the established Külhaşoğulları family of Sivas, he was a poet who recited verse with divine love despite lacking formal medrese education. Believed to have drunk the 'bade' from a saint in a dream, he dealt deeply with themes of faith and mysticism. Despite dying young, he is remembered in Sivas literary circles as a naturally gifted genius.

The son of Aşık Ruhsati, this artist reflected the cultural heritage inherited from his father in his poems with lyrical depth. Raised in the village of Deliktaş, he was known among the people as 'Molla Ali.' He earned a deep place in popular culture particularly through the emotional poems he wrote for his beloved Hatice.

A prominent religious scholar from the Arsak tribe of the Sivas-Tokat region, he completed his initial medrese education in Sivas. Following the conquest of Istanbul, he served as a judge and eventually rose to the rank of Sheikh al-Islam. His works on Islamic jurisprudence and exegesis formed the foundation of the Ottoman educational system.

Born in the Minarekaya village of Kangal, this artist was a baglama master who interpreted traditional deyiş with a modern style. He created a unique school of thought by placing human love and peace at the center of his works. He left a mark on Turkish folk music with hundreds of original compositions.

Born in the Şarkışla district of Sivas, this politician was the founding leader of the Great Unity Party (BBP). He earned widespread respect in Turkish politics for his honesty and principled stance. He became a political symbol of the city, representing Sivas in parliament for multiple terms.

Born in the Ulu Camii neighborhood of Sivas, this artist was the collector who created the most comprehensive archive of Turkish folk music. By founding the TRT 'Voices of the Homeland' choir, he ensured local folk songs were performed on national radio with scientific discipline. He transcribed over ten thousand folk melodies for the Turkish cultural treasury.

Born in Sivas, this politician gained international acclaim by serving as the State Secretary for Justice in the Dutch government. She is recognized as one of the highest-ranking representatives of the Turkish diaspora in Europe. As the child of a Sivas family, she has made a significant impact on the global political stage.

He was a virtuous 18th-century scholar and mufti belonging to the established Sarihatipoğulları family of Sivas. He left an architectural legacy to the city by building a library, fountain, and mansion to the west of the Grand Mosque. The family cemetery remains situated between the library and fountain he commissioned.

A professor of medicine and politician born in Gürün, Sivas, he served as the Mayor of Istanbul from 1989 to 1994. He combined his academic success in surgery with administrative leadership. He served as an important social bridge between Istanbul and his hometown of Sivas.

Born in Divriği, this businessman was a visionary who founded Turkey's first aircraft factory and revolutionized railway construction. Advocating for a domestic industrialization drive, he opened the 'Gök Okulu' (Sky School) in Divriği to train pilots. He successfully implemented Turkey's first domestic aircraft production model.

Living in the village of Banaz, Sivas, he is one of the most powerful and lyrical representatives of the Alevi-Bektashi tradition. His deyiş (folk poems) have echoed in the social and religious memory of Anatolia for four hundred years. His struggle for his beliefs earned him legendary status in Turkish folk literature.

A lawyer and politician from Sivas, he was one of the founding members of the Democrat Party and served as Speaker of the Grand National Assembly. He took an active role during the National Struggle years, contributing to the independence process. He is a key figure who brought the spirit of the Sivas Congress into the parliamentary system.

Born in the Deliktaş village of Kangal, he was one of the greatest 19th-century masters of the 'bade' (mystical vision) ashik tradition. Though he did not play the baglama, he was renowned for his technically superior extemporaneous poetry. He was influenced by Karacaoğlan and Aşık Ömer, and trained many apprentices in the region.

A scientist born in Zara, he conducted pioneering academic work in the fields of ethnology and the history of religions in Turkey. He served as a professor at Ankara University's Faculty of Language, History, and Geography and left foundational works on Turkish folk culture. In addition to his scientific identity, he contributed to Turkish theater with award-winning plays.

The world-renowned musician, originally from Sivas, gained global fame by synthesizing Anatolian folk music with modern rock and electronic elements. She has been a source of inspiration for many artists worldwide with her protest voice and powerful interpretation. Her songs are among the most-played Turkish works at international music festivals today.

He was a scholar and mystic poet who founded the Shamsiyya branch of the Halveti order. Upon the invitation of Governor Hasan Pasha, he began his teaching activities at the Meydan Mosque, where he spent the rest of his life. He shaped the religious and cultural identity of the region with nearly forty published works.

Born in Altınyayla, this poet took the pen name 'Talibi' after seeking Keklik Emine in a dream and set out on the road. He expressed themes of national sentiment, love of homeland, and melancholic love in a wandering style. He was a mystical character believed to have received permission from Evliya Çelebi in a dream to travel constantly.

The child of a Sivas family, this artist is widely recognized for his roles in the action and drama genres. He earned great acclaim with his role as the 'Sarı Komutan' (Yellow Commander) in the series 'Söz' and represented Turkey on international platforms. He is among the most successful and award-winning male actors of the young generation.

Born in Denmark to a Sivas family, she is one of the most prominent top models representing Turkey on international runways. She became a global brand by combining her fashion world success with her identity as an author and presenter. She reached large audiences through her books on healthy living and beauty.

A graduate of the Faculty of Political Science, he was a statesman who rose from a junior official to the Governor of Sivas. He successfully managed regional administrative processes with his multilingual skills, serving the city from 1913 to 1923. In 1923, he became one of the first Sivas deputies of the Republican era.

He was a prolific author who documented the cultural values, poets, and history of Sivas for future generations. He authored foundational reference works such as 'Sivas Folkloru' and 'Aşık Ruhsati' and served the city as an educator for forty-five years. By teaching at Sivas Middle School, he contributed to the cultural development of many young people.