Having hosted nearly 12 million visitors across 14 festivals, including 2 abroad, in 9 years, TEKNOFEST wrote its name in golden letters with historical data at its 15th stop in Şanlıurfa. Within the scope of the TEKNOFEST Southeast 2026 Technology Competitions, applications were received from all 81 provinces of Türkiye and 99 different countries. Setting a hard-to-break record, over 730,000 teams and more than 1,600,000 competitors applied to the competitions held across 62 main categories and 145 sub-categories. Following the elimination process, more than 2,000 finalist teams and over 14,000 finalist youth presented their projects to the jury and the public as part of TEKNOFEST Southeast. To turn young people's dreams into reality, over 100 million TL in financial support and over 75 million TL in prizes were provided as part of the festival.
Competing in dozens of different fields, from artificial intelligence to agricultural technologies, unmanned systems to financial technologies and advanced material, young participants earned immense praise from expert juries and technology enthusiasts with their innovative solutions.
Giant fleet in Şanlıurfa skies: A local and national sky feast
From the first day of the festival, breathtaking air shows were among the events that attracted the most interest from hundreds of thousands filling GAP Airport. Magnificent performances carved into the sky by Turkish Stars and SOLOTÜRK, the pride of the Turkish Armed Forces and our national defense industry, mesmerized spectators.
Representing Türkiye's national aviation and defense power, a giant fleet put on a show of strength over the skies of Şanlıurfa. Throughout the festival, national platforms such as KAAN, KIZILELMA, BAYRAKTAR TB-3, BAYRAKTAR TB-2, BAYRAKTAR AKINCI, HÜRJET, ANKA, ATAK, GÖKBEY, F-16, F-4, T-38, CASA (CN-235), AS 532, BELL 429, P-72, SH-70 SEAHAWK, AB 412, K2 KAMIKAZE, and SİVRİSİNEK offered unforgettable moments both in static display areas and during aerial demonstrations.
TEKNOFEST Southeast witnessed firsts; experience areas drew intense interest
TEKNOFEST Southeast made a difference with firsts that offered visitors the chance not only to observe technology but to experience it firsthand:
- Göbeklitepe Experience Area: Taking visitors on a magical journey extending from the zero point of history to the technologies of the future through a 360-degree screen setup focused on Göbeklitepe, the narrative attracted great interest by bringing turning points in the defense industry together with UAV technologies and the TEKNOFEST Generation.
- TÜME (Agriculture, Livestock and Food Technologies) Area: In a special 3,200 m² area, next-generation solutions ranging from AI-powered autonomous farm vehicles to milking robots, smart barn systems, and agricultural drones met with producers and youth.
- Hezarfen Experience Area: Inspired by the dream of Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi, this area delivered the message, especially to children, that dreams can transform into the technology of the future through holographic curtain technologies, multi-layered projections, and live performances.
- HÜRKUŞ Mini Flight Area: Young visitors aged 3–8 enjoyed a fun and eco-friendly aviation experience by steering motorless, pedal-powered mini aircraft under a giant inflatable HÜRKUŞ arch.
- Multifunctional Advanced Materials and Systems Competition Launch Area: Established in partnership with Erdemir ahead of the competition to be held in 2027, the 450 m² “Journey of the Material” launch area allowed visitors to witness the transformation of materials from past to future.
Music, art, and entertainment met with science
TEKNOFEST Southeast was etched in memories not only as an aerospace, and technology organization, but as a grand festival integrating culture, art, music, and science. The planetarium, simulations, and educational workshops set up on the festival grounds offered unforgettable moments to visitors of all ages. Unwinding after event-filled days with stage performances, visitors spent enthusiastic evenings with concerts by popular artists Semicenk and Ceza.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared the enthusiasm of youth
On the fourth day of the festival, TEKNOFEST Southeast hosted
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. As part of the fourth-day program, first-place awards were presented by President Erdoğan to the champion teams that achieved great success in the technology competitions.
Addressing the youth in the historical and enthusiastic atmosphere in Şanlıurfa,
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared the following key messages in his speech: "The Century of Türkiye will carry the trace, seal, and stamp of the TEKNOFEST generation. The youth here are the honor of this nation and the apple of this country's eye. They are the strongest indicator of a prosperous and respected Türkiye. I congratulate each and every one of our young people who turned their dreams into reality at TEKNOFEST. Türkiye's future is in safe hands."
"In the Southeast, development and youth are now being spoken of"
Attending the closing program on the final day of the festival,
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz emphasized the historical transformation experienced in the Southeastern Anatolia Region and the dynamism offered by the festival to the regional economy. Yılmaz stated: "
There is now a Southeast where development, youth, and entrepreneurship are spoken of, rather than terrorism. We see that this accumulated knowledge spreads across all sectors, from agriculture and food to the defense industry. I sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this tremendous atmosphere and shared this vision in Şanlıurfa."
Selçuk Bayraktar: "TEKNOFEST Youth is Türkiye's Fully Independent Future!"
Delivering the closing speech of the festival,
Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of TEKNOFEST, drew attention to the hospitality of the people of Şanlıurfa and the determination of the youth in an emotional statement following the organization:
"The production journey that started with stone yesterday continues today with code, robots, and artificial intelligence. In defiance of those who said 'you cannot do it'; we did, we are doing, and we will do the best! TEKNOFEST youth is the youth that writes history when told 'it is impossible.' TEKNOFEST youth is the fully independent future of Türkiye. Our path is clear, our direction is truth, and our horizon is KIZILELMA..."
Rising from Şanlıurfa over five days, this immense technology enthusiasm went down in history as one of the strong steps of Türkiye's National Technology Initiative extending into the future. TEKNOFEST will continue to forge ahead toward new achievements alongside young people on Türkiye's journey to fully independent technology.
