enowned philosopher
and former ambassador Prof.
Dr. Kenan Gürsoy, accompanied by Prof. Dr.
Belkıs Gürsoy, delivered a
keynote lecture at the Church of Panagia Paramythia in Vlach-Saray on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Together, they presented an insightful talk titled "Notes on Cultural
Communities and the Coexistence
of Muslims and Christians in the Fatih District in the 1950s," offering personal and historical
perspectives on the rich
multicultural tapestry of Istanbul's past.
The evening was held in
the
solemn and honored
presence of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The
audience also included a vibrant gathering of academics, scholars, and devoted students from Dr.
Kenan Gürsoy's
philosophical circle. The event commenced with
formal welcoming remarks delivered by Mr. Lakis Vingas, President of the
Parish Council and
Archon Grand Chartophylax of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who warmly introduced the guest
speakers.
Throughout their presentation, the speakers reflected on the shared heritage and daily life of
Istanbul’s diverse faith
communities, capturing the spirit of mutual respect that defined the neighborhood in
mid-20th-century Fatih. At the core
of the lecture was a profoundly philosophical message on human connection and understanding:
"
What is essential is the ability to discover the essence behind appearances, the One behind
the many, and the self through the other."
Prof. Dr. Kenan Gürsoy
He was born in Ankara in 1950. His father, Prof. Dr. Kemal Tahir Gürsoy, was a faculty member at Ankara University Faculty of Law; his mother, Hikmet Kainat Büyükaksoy, was the daughter of Kenan (Rifaî) Büyükaksoy, one of the late Ottoman educators and Sufis. He completed his primary education at Istanbul Hırka-i Şerif Primary School, and his middle and high school education at Saint Benoit French High School (1970). He completed his higher education in France at the University of Rennes and Paris-Sorbonne University (Paris IV) between 1970 and 1974, supported by a study scholarship granted by the French Government to successful students graduating from French-medium schools in Turkey.
His academic work primarily focuses on Ethics (Moral Philosophy), Comparative Religious Ethics, Phenomenology, Existential Philosophy, and Sufism. Striving to be one of those dedicated to promoting philosophical attitudes and thinking within Turkish cultural life and the national education system, Gürsoy has participated in and delivered lectures at numerous seminars and conferences both domestically and internationally (in countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Italy, the Vatican, Spain, and France). He has supervised completed and ongoing master’s and doctoral dissertations and has also supported and contributed to the academic development and thesis research of many scholars, even without being their official advisor.
Prof. Dr. Belkıs Gürsoy
Dr. Belkıs Gürsoy completed her undergraduate education in 1975 at Atatürk University, Department of Turkish Language and Literature. She began her professional career as a teacher at Erzurum Nenehatun Girls' Teacher High School between 1975 and 1976. From 1976 to 1985, Gürsoy worked as a research assistant and doctoral assistant at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Atatürk University. In 1977, she obtained her master's degree from the same university with her thesis titled "Cenab Şehabettin's Prose Works Published in Servet-i Fünûn", and in 1981, she earned her doctorate degree, also at Atatürk University, with her PhD dissertation titled "Women in Abdülhak Hamit Tarhan's Theatrical Works". Her field of academic specialization is Modern Turkish Literature, and she has taken part in numerous projects both in Turkey and abroad. In addition to her academic activities, she also has published works in the essay and short story genres.