Bilkent University hosted Bilkent PhilFest on Saturday, September 27, bringing together students, academics and visitors from across Türkiye for a full day of philosophical engagement. Running from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Spring Festival area, the event offered free access to discussions, exhibitions and interactive experiences centered on philosophy and critical thinking.
Participants had the opportunity to meet with philosophy associations and communities from around the country, while major publishing houses provided discounted books at their booths. The festival also featured an exhibition area with philosophical paintings and interactive posters. One of the most popular attractions allowed attendees to engage in a virtual reality conversation with Socrates in the Agora.
Throughout the day, Ezgi Emel, Hacer Foggo, Alper Hasanoğlu and Ahmet İnam took the stage to speak on topics such as philosophy for children, poverty, clinical philosophy and hope. A musical performance explored the relationship between Schubert’s compositions and Schopenhauer’s philosophy, offering a unique interdisciplinary perspective. Attendees also took part in a philosophical quiz with prizes, and the evening ended with a screening of the Oscar-winning animated film “Flow” (2024).
PhilFest 2025 was organized by the Department of Philosophy, the Bilkent Philosophical Society, the Bilkent University Library, the Bilkent Psychological Counseling and Development Center and the Bilkent Teaching and Learning Support Center.
