Bahçeşehir University Receives the "Presidential Grand Award"

This year, in the "Documentary" category of the Presidential Grand Award for Culture and Arts, presented by the Presidency to figures who contribute to Turkish cultural and artistic life, the award was granted, for the documentary "The River Flowing West" produced by Bahçeşehir University, to the President of the Bahçeşehir University Civilization Studies Center (MEDAM),Prof. Dr. Bekir Karlığa. Karlığa received his award from President Abdullah Gül at the ceremony held at Çankaya Mansion on 24 December 2013.

The civilization documentary 'The River Flowing West,' prepared by MEDAM with the contributions of the Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Communication, draws the attention of the international public to Mesopotamia, the true birthplace of civilization.

Humanity's long journey of civilization, which began in the fertile lands of Mesopotamia and Anatolia, dates back about twelve thousand years.The civilization documentary "The River Flowing West"tells this long journey from a balanced and objective perspective for the first time.

Aiming to turn the attention of the international public to the true birthplace of civilization, Mesopotamia, between the two rivers of the Middle East,"The River Flowing West"was prepared by the Bahçeşehir University Civilization Studies Center (MEDAM) with the contributions of the Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Communication.

The documentary, in which the cities and works of ancient times are brought back to life through dramatizations, drawing on the views of around 200 scholars and thinkers in 16 countries and combining the most advanced computer graphics, has two versions, long and short, the long one consisting of 20 episodes of 45 minutes each.

Described by international opinion leaders as "the most comprehensive documentary ever made on civilization," the project was launched to bring humanity together with a more balanced perspective against the hostility toward the East and Islam that spread around the world after the September 11 attacks.

The documentary, supported by the Prime Ministry Promotion Fund of Türkiye and produced by Lion TV, one of the largest production companies in the UK, was broadcast on TRT 1 as well as on various television channels around the world.

MEDAM PresidentProf. Dr. Bekir Karlığa