About Us

The Promotion Foundation of Turkey (TÜTAV) was established to carry out work in cultural, scientific, touristic, and economic fields serving Turkey's national goals and interests, and to advance the country's international promotion. Granted public benefit foundation status by the Council of Ministers in 1982, it has played a significant role in international promotion efforts through the projects it has carried out.

Who Is Our Founder Kemal Baytaş?

Our founder Kemal Baytaş, whom we lost on December 25, 2021, was a steadfast advocate of Atatürk's principles and reforms.

In 1982, he voluntarily retired from his position at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. During his tenure as Undersecretary, he established the State Folk Dance Ensemble. Through Antalya's tourism physical planning and incentive measures, he helped create a major tourism potential of 500,000 beds in 4- and 5-star hotels in the region.

The Kaleiçi Project he initiated was awarded the World Bank Prize. After 1982, he led the establishment of TÜTAV. In 1990, he founded the Turkey-Russian Federation and Turkey-People's Republic of China Friendship Associations and, as Chairman of their Boards of Directors, spearheaded many pioneering projects.

He enabled the TÜTAV Performance and Arts Ensemble to carry out events in 37 countries across 5 continents, traveling 1.5 million kilometers. He received the Promotion and Communication Grand Award from the Turkey Journalists Association in 1985–1986 and was named Man of the Year by the Mediterranean Journalists Association in 2001.

For his contributions to international work, he was honored with Distinguished Service and Honor Medals by the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tatarstan, and the Republic of Turkey, and was granted the title of Friendship and People's Ambassador by the People's Republic of China.

For his successful services in promotion and various fields, he was awarded Honorary Doctorate degrees by Ankara Gazi University and Dumlupınar University. In 2007, he received the Sema Star Award from the Atatürk Culture, Language and History High Institution, and the Exemplary Senior Citizen Award from TÜRYAK Foundation and Hacettepe University.

Who Is Our Chairman of the Board M. Şükrü Koçoğlu?

Mehmet Şükrü Koçoğlu, as Chairman of the Board of TÜTAV, considers remaining faithful to the foundation's founding principles and Atatürk's vision his most fundamental duty.

Throughout his many years of service in the public and private sectors, he has made significant contributions to promoting Turkish culture internationally. Through his work in science, culture, and the arts, he has played an active role in numerous civil society organizations.

Within the scope of projects carried out under TÜTAV, he has developed international collaborations and played a decisive role in bringing the foundation's events across 5 continents to life.