Turkey's Green Crescent Turns 105

Green Crescent Week events, scheduled for 1-7 March this year, are being celebrated with 120 Green Crescent branches, 97 international Green Crescent organizations, and over 130,000 volunteers to raise awareness in the fight against addiction.

 Speaking at the Green Crescent Week launch meeting held at Istanbul Rami Library, Green Crescent General President Mehmet Dinç said, "Let us join hands for our future with the principle of preventing addiction before it emerges. I invite all of you to take ownership of this 105-year great legacy so that not a single person of ours falls into the clutches of addiction."

For 105 years in the fight against addiction, Green Crescent continues its work with 120 branches, 97 international Green Crescent organizations, and over 130,000 volunteers, steadily pursuing efforts to develop society's capacity to combat addiction in all areas. During Green Crescent Week, celebrated this year from 1-7 March under the slogan "Turkey's Green Crescent at 105 Years Old," numerous events are being organized nationwide to raise awareness in the fight against addiction. Founded on 5 March 1920 in occupied Istanbul with a spirit of resistance against forces seeking to weaken society through addiction, Green Crescent today plays a leading role in combating addiction across Turkey and the world.

Green Crescent President Mehmet Dinç: "Addiction must be prevented before it emerges"
At the Green Crescent Week launch meeting held at Istanbul Rami Library, Green Crescent General President Mehmet Dinç delivered opening remarks, emphasizing that they view the fight against addiction as "a matter of generations and the future," and said: "Against those who threaten the future of our youth and wish to condemn them to pitch darkness, we have announced our Independence Mobilization with the cooperation of our Ministry of Interior. Our Independence Mobilization means working with all our might so that our children do not fall into the traps of the addiction industry. I wish to reiterate once more that we are committed to protecting human dignity on behalf of all members of society by fighting against addiction.

With these feelings and thoughts, on our 105th year and on the occasion of Green Crescent Week, I say, 'Let us meet at Turkey's Green Crescent for an independent future.' Let us join hands for our future with the principle of preventing addiction before it emerges. I invite all of you to take ownership of this 105-year great legacy so that not a single person of ours falls into the clutches of addiction."

Istanbul's Iconic Landmarks to be Illuminated "Green"
During Green Crescent Week events, "Green Stage Conversations" will continue throughout the week at Rami Library, addressing addiction-related issues with prominent figures taking the stage. Additionally, various workshops such as origami, wooden toy painting, and stone painting will be organized at Rami Library for young visitors under the guidance of instructors.

The award-winning works from the "International Green Crescent Cartoon Competition," which is being held for the 9th time in Green Crescent's 105th year, will be presented to visitors for the first time during Green Crescent Week at Rami Library. The Green Crescent Cartoon Exhibition, which puts art at the forefront of fighting addiction, will meet art lovers this year at various locations, notably Marmaray stations and Rami Library.

On 1, 3, and 5 March between 16:30-18:30, special musical performances for Green Crescent Week will be held at Marmaray Üsküdar, Yenikapı, Sirkeci, and Cağaloğlu stations.
As part of the events, all visiting teams will take the field with Green Crescent banners reading "An Independent Future for All of Us" during matches played in the Super League and TFF 1st League from 1-7 March.
On 5 March, Green Crescent's birthday, green laser scanning will be performed on Istanbul's iconic landmarks including Galata Tower, Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridges, Çamlıca Tower, Dolmabahçe Clock Tower, and Sepetçiler Mansion.

Youth Compete on Social Media for Awareness!
Green Crescent is launching the "Young Green Crescent Award-Winning Reels Competition" to encourage youth to produce conscious and impactful content on social media. In the competition organized under the motto "Young Green Crescents Use Social Media Best; Push Boundaries and Create Awareness," youth can prepare short videos raising awareness about fighting addiction and participate in the competition. With total prize money reaching TRY 70,000, the deadline for applications has been set as 4 March, with winners to be announced on 7 March. Those wishing to participate can share the videos they have prepared with the hashtags #YoungGreenCrescent, #TurkeysGreenCrescent105YearsOld, and #IndependenceMobilization, tag the @younggreencescent account, and submit via direct message.

Green Crescent's 105th Year Will Be Heard in the Eurasia Tunnel
A special audio message broadcast will be carried out in the Eurasia Tunnel as part of Green Crescent's 105th year. Radio spots specially prepared for Green Crescent's 105th year will be broadcast, conveying awareness messages for an independent and healthy future. In this context, messages emphasizing Green Crescent's independence mobilization vision and deep-rooted heritage will be shared.

Additionally, through signalization work with Green Crescent crescents and special audio messages at traffic lights, drivers and pedestrians will be encouraged towards independent and healthy living.
Meanwhile, the Green Crescent Newspaper, specially designed for the 1-7 March week, will be distributed at field events.

Awareness Activities Throughout Turkey
As part of Green Crescent Week, in cooperation with Green Crescent Advisory Centers (YEDAM), Green Crescent Rehabilitation Centers (REHAB), university clubs, branches, representatives, and volunteers, a large-scale awareness campaign will be launched across Turkey. In this context, exhibitions, conversations, and various events will be organized to conduct awareness activities on healthy living and against harmful habits. These events, which address all age groups from 7 to 70 in Turkey and worldwide, will reinforce Green Crescent's mission of fighting addiction, prevention, and promoting healthy living.