The Kırşehir Governor's Office, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, and the Kırşehir Provincial Directorate of National Education jointly organized a program to commemorate the February 6 Earthquakes, known as the disaster of the century. On February 6, 2026, as part of the day-long program, a Mevlid program was first held at the Hoca Ahmet Yesevi Mosque with recitations from the Holy Quran and prayers. After Friday prayers, Turkish delight was served in memory of the earthquake victims. Later, the “Commemoration Program for the February 6 Earthquakes: From the Disaster of the Century to the Unity of the Century” was held at the 15 July National Will Hall of our University's Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center. A large number of people attended the program, including Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek and his esteemed wife Serpil Demiryürek, Kırşehir Chief Public Prosecutor Oğuz Şükrü Öner, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Çankırı Karatekin University Rector Prof. Dr. Mevlüt Karataş, Deputy Governors İsmail Çetinkaya and Alper Balcı, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Musa Özata and Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, Çankırı Karatekin University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Muhammed Nuri Öner and General Secretary Muharrem Sezen, Kırşehir Gendarmerie Colonel Ahmet Yıldırım, Kırşehir Provincial Police Chief Dr. Mesut Görücü, AFAD Kırşehir Provincial Director Uğur Olgun, Kırşehir Provincial Director of National Education Yusuf Yasin Gülşen, provincial administrators, institution directors, NGO representatives, academic and administrative staff, and students.

The opening speech of the program was delivered by Uğur Olgun, Director of Kırşehir Provincial AFAD, who touched upon the activities of the directorate and the purpose of organizing the program. Explaining that they had gathered to commemorate the February 6 Earthquakes in which we lost many citizens, Olgun emphasized that the disaster of the century had turned into the unity of the century for our nation. Uğur Olgun also highlighted the importance of preparedness, awareness, and training before disasters, noting that AFAD volunteers also have active roles to play in the field. Expressing his condolences for the citizens we lost in the February 6 Earthquakes, Olgun also wished strength to their loved ones.

Following the speech by Kırşehir AFAD Provincial Director Uğur Olgun, a video showcasing AFAD's fieldwork was presented to the audience.

Following the video presentation, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek delivered a speech. In his address, Governor Demiryürek noted that the February 6 earthquakes served as a reminder of the solidarity demonstrated by the nation, emphasizing that this disaster was a catastrophe whose impact would be discussed worldwide for a long time. Including official data obtained after the earthquake in his speech, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek added that the earthquake released 30 quadrillion tons of energy, which had a greater impact than even an atomic bomb. “With the February 6 earthquakes, we saw that the noble Turkish nation displays an unparalleled spirit of solidarity in difficult times,” said Governor Demiryürek, recounting his memories of the earthquake while serving in Iskenderun at the time. Explaining that the state is always by its citizens' side and supports them, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek said, “The state always keeps its promises to its citizens, which shows the value it places on them.” At the end of his speech, Governor Demiryürek offered his condolences to the citizens who lost their lives in the February 6 earthquakes and wished their loved ones patience.

Following the opening speeches, AFAD volunteers were given their IDs and accredited MEB AKUB personnel were given their badges by Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek.

Afterwards, Assistant Professor Furkan Birdal from Faculty of Engineering and Architecture gave a presentation titled “An Academic Perspective on Disasters.” In his presentation, Birdal drew an academic perspective by referring to numerical data on disasters around the world and natural events in Turkey, as well as the Disaster of the Century on February 6, 2023. Continuing his presentation, Birdal shared information about the 12th Development Plan of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, TÜBİTAK's priority R&D topics in disaster management, and technology-focused solutions in disaster management.

After the program, the protocol members and guests toured the earthquake-themed art exhibition.