The Çiğdem and Hossein Dabir Award for Excellence in Short Fiction is an annual award that celebrates Bilkent students who demonstrate outstanding creativity, originality and skill in short fiction writing.
The 2025 award ceremony was held on Friday, February 6, at the İhsan and Ayser Doğramacı Science, Culture and Arts Center, bringing together students, faculty and guests to recognize and celebrate literary talent. Applicants were selected from ENG 312—Introduction to Creative Writing, where students submitted a single work of short fiction. The winners were chosen by a distinguished committee of representatives from ELIT, COMD and ENG.
This year’s award recipients are:
• First Prize: Hilal Kuşhan, “Sunday Crepes”
• Second Prize: Erva Kayır, “The Lemon Tree”
• Third Prize: Dilanaz Güler, “The Call”
• Honorable Mention: Zeynep Yüceler, “A Convenient Day”
The winners were joined by author and television scriptwriter Gamze Arslan, who read from her story collection “Kanayak” (Bloodfoot).
In addition to the short fiction awards, a poster design competition was organized to visually interpret and bring these stories to life. The poster designers were also recognized during the ceremony and presented with certificates. The recipients were Zeynep Yokuş, Duru Keskingöz, Beray Seydioğulları and Deniz Oruç.
The evening was distinguished by musical performances from Dr. Belinda Chen, accompanied by students Serenay Süren, Ekin Işık and Erkin Çokova, and faculty member Fulten Larlar, whose artistry framed and enhanced the program.
Çiğdem and Hossein Dabir, lifelong advocates of creative expression, played an important role in shaping the ENG 312 course and inspiring generations of students to explore their voices through writing. Following their passing, this award was established in their memory to ensure that their passion for storytelling and their belief in the power of young voices continue to live on.
