Hosted by Malatya Turgut Özal University, the 6th International Symposium on Art and Aesthetics, held on May 24-25, 2025, was completed online with broad participation. The symposium, which brought together scientists, academics, and researchers working in the field of art and aesthetics, provided opportunities for theoretical and practical contributions.

The event was attended by MTU academic staff, members of the organizing committee, academics and researchers whose papers were accepted, as well as a large number of students and art enthusiasts. Participants had the opportunity to share academic knowledge and exchange ideas on various forms of artistic production throughout the symposium.

The symposium opened with a promotional video of Malatya Turgut Özal University. Following the promotional video, Prof. Dr. Ersan Çiftci, Co-Chair of the Symposium Organizing Committee and Dean of the Faculty of Art, Design, and Architecture at MTÜ, delivered the opening speech. MTU Rector Prof. Dr. Recep Bentli then took the floor and emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary academic cooperation in the field of art and aesthetics, stating that such symposiums increase knowledge sharing at both the national and international levels. Rector Bentli also stated that MTU would continue to support scientific events.

The opening ceremony featured a piano recital by Ayşe Güven, a student in the Music Department, with Artistic Direction by MTÜ STMF Music Department academic Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ferdi Karaönçel. The Arslantepe Mound in Malatya, which is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, was also discussed during the symposium. Prof. Dr. Francesca Balossi Restelli, who heads the Arslantepe excavations, drew attention to the historical importance of the mound, the archaeological findings in the region, and efforts to preserve cultural heritage in her presentation. Following the presentation, numerous academics and researchers whose papers were accepted gave their presentations in online sessions.

Multidisciplinary Papers, Online Presentations

The symposium featured presentations on photography, traditional Turkish arts, gastronomy, visual communication design, semiotics, graphics, sculpture, architecture, interior design, Islamic arts, musicology, music, theater, performing arts, fashion, radio-television-cinema, ceramics, painting, advertising, design, textiles, archaeology, literature, philosophy, education, and sociology. Turkish, English, and Turkish dialects were used as the languages of the symposium.

Over the course of two days, 113 academic papers were presented in online sessions, while 57 individual and mixed works were exhibited to art enthusiasts. The event successfully concluded as a productive and inspiring platform that encouraged interdisciplinary interaction in the fields of art and aesthetics.