Eskişehir made a sweeping impact in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation. While the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality left its mark on the VI International KAZAN DIGITAL WEEK - 2025 Forum, young delegates from Eskişehir proudly represented Turkey and introduced the city at the BRICS International Youth Festival.
PRESENTS ITS DIGITAL CITY VISION
The VI International KAZAN DIGITAL WEEK - 2025 Forum, organized in Kazan through a collaboration between the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan, saw notable participation from the Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality.
Representing Eskişehir at the forum were Seyitgazi Mayor Uğur Tepe, municipal council members Mehmet Bilen and Fevzi Akpınar, and Head of the Department of Strategy Development Sıla Senem Bükülmez.
Bükülmez participated in the "Round Table of Cities", moderated by Deputy Mayor of Kazan Evgeniya Lodvigova and TV presenter and journalist Dmitrii Shchugorev. During the session titled "How Digitalization is Transforming Cities", Bükülmez delivered a presentation, sharing Eskişehir's digital transformation vision with international participants.
The presentation highlighted Eskişehir's strong urban identity and the integration of municipal services with smart technologies in line with modern demands. Details were provided about the city's initiatives in smart technologies, data-driven planning, and digital public services, all of which aim to enhance the quality of urban life.
Bükülmez emphasized that digitalization is not merely a tool for the municipality but a foundational element of a sustainable, inclusive, and socially beneficial governance model. She stated that Eskişehir's approach focuses on improving residents' quality of life, using resources efficiently, and becoming a modern, resilient, and livable city on an international scale.
The presentation at Kazan Digital Week 2025 significantly contributed to the international recognition of Eskişehir's digital transformation efforts.
Meanwhile, a youth delegation from Eskişehir participated in the BRICS International Youth Festival in Kazan, representing Turkey. The delegation included architect Onur Adalıoğlu and Naz İrem Çıldır and Ömer Zekeriya Çakmak, students of Eskişehir Fatih Science High School.
During the "National Costume Parade" segment of the festival, which featured youth delegations from 14 countries, traditional folk dance costumes from Eskişehir were showcased. Eskişehir's young representatives drew significant attention and praise as they introduced these culturally important symbols to international participants.
At the Youth Policies Conference, a presentation was given on youth-related projects and policies in Eskişehir. With representatives from 14 countries in attendance, the session also spotlighted Eskişehir's identity as a university city, highlighting the social and cultural opportunities it offers to young people.
The Eskişehir delegation also visited Kazan Gymnasium, where they donated a collection of publications showcasing Eskişehir's and Turkey's cultural heritage. This meaningful gesture contributed to building a cultural bridge between the two cities.
In addition, the young participants achieved notable success in the Mathematics Olympiad held during the festival, earning fourth place among nearly 30 competing teams.
Through their participation, the Eskişehir delegation successfully represented Turkey's and Eskişehir's cultural richness, educational opportunities, and youth-oriented vision on an international platform.