Built around the themes of communication, friendship, tolerance and culture, the programme aims to strengthen social bonds by encouraging people to greet one another more openly and warmly. Developed by Bodrum Maritime Museum, the project carries the positive energy and human connection of a heartfelt, resounding “merhaba” into shared spaces of cultural production. In 2026, the programme will expand to new cities and reach broader audiences.

Planned by Bodrum Maritime Museum with Bilgi Publishing as main sponsor and Muğla Metropolitan Municipality as programme partner, the 2026 Merhaba Day programme will run throughout April, combining events in Muğla districts selected as the pilot area with wider communications activity across the country. The main event dates are 16–18 April.

Operating under Bodrum Municipality, Bodrum Maritime Museum preserves maritime heritage through its collections, including material related to Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı, and through its publishing work. Among its recurring programmes is Merhaba Day, organised to introduce the Fisherman of Halicarnassus’s humanist world of thought to wider audiences.

The initiative dates back to 2022, when 17 April, the writer’s birthday, was officially declared “Merhaba Day” by the then Mayor of Bodrum, Ahmet Aras. An International Merhaba Day Logo Competition followed, and the scope of the programme widened. Last year’s edition, presented by Osmantan Erkır and featuring Zülfü Livaneli and many other artists, brought together theatre, music, talks and exhibitions, establishing the event as a platform for cultural production and sharing.

Following its development in Bodrum, the programme is this year extending to Datça, Fethiye and Menteşe, with the support of the Kabaağaçlı family. In April 2026, the Ahmet Piriştina City Archive and Museum (APİKAM) of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and the Adalar Museum in Istanbul will also organise events under the same umbrella.

A Digital Events Map has also been created to support the project’s growth on a national scale and to make visible all forms of cultural interaction aligned with the spirit of Merhaba Day. Institutions, communities and individuals organising events around themes such as love of nature, peace, tolerance and cultural sharing can join the wider programme through the platform.

On 15 April 2026, “Merhaba Halikarnas Balıkçısı”, a one-man play written and performed by Aykut Taşkın and based on the life and intellectual journey of the Fisherman of Halicarnassus, will be staged at Menteşe Municipality GMK Cultural Centre.

On 17 April 2026, a city tour will be organised by the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Department of Urban History, Promotion and Tourism.

On 30 April 2026, the documentary Filos, featuring a performance by Selahattin Paşalı and first premiered at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, will be screened. The documentary focuses particularly on the environmentalist identity of the Fisherman of Halicarnassus.

On 16 April 2026, presentation sessions will be held at BOTAV Center by the Bodrum Maritime Museum management on “Monumental Tree Candidates of the Fisherman of Halicarnassus”, and by Prof. Dr Elif Songür Dağ and Assoc. Prof. Dr Devrim Yücel Besim on the project “Traces of the Fisherman of Halicarnassus in Bodrum: Making Urban and Natural Heritage Visible”.

On 17 April 2026, Metin Erdoğan will give a presentation for secondary school students at the Herodotus Cultural Centre titled “Our Legendary Environmentalists: Atatürk, the Fisherman of Halicarnassus, Tarzan of Manisa, Toprak Dede and Captain June”. Near Tepecik Mosque, Dr Deniz Baykan will lead a large-card matching game for young people. In Bitez, Assoc. Prof. Sevgi Arı will run a field workshop titled “Texture Hunting”. At Inspera Bodrum, the programme will include a talk by Buket Uzuner, a Bilgi Publishing presentation for the new edition of Aganta Burina Burinata, a screening of the Filos documentary featuring Selahattin Paşalı, a discussion with the film team, and a concert by Evrim Ateşler.

On 18 April 2026, TURSAB Bodrum BTK and MUTRO, in cooperation with professional tourist guides, will organise “In the Footsteps of the Fisherman of Halicarnassus: A City Tour”. At Inspera Bodrum, a children’s workshop titled “Monumental Tree Detectives” will take place. Dr Deniz Baykan will also lead the large-card matching game for young people in Turgutreis and near Tepecik Mosque. In Ortakent, Akarsular Learning Village will host a reading theatre performance titled “Radio Theatre with the Stories of Cevat Şakir”. At Nurol Cultural Centre, the play “Merhaba Halikarnas Balıkçısı” will be staged.

On 30 April 2026, an exhibition and talk referring to the correspondence between the Fisherman of Halicarnassus and Azra Erhat will be held in cooperation with Academia Foundation and Bodrum Maritime Museum.

On 18 April 2026, in cooperation with Adalar Municipality and the Adalar Museum, Adil Bali will give a presentation at Taş Mektep on Büyükada titled “Cevat Şakir’s Büyükada Years”.

On 19 April 2026, the play “Merhaba Halikarnas Balıkçısı” will be staged at Fethiye Municipality Özer Olgun Cultural Centre.

On 15 April 2026, the “Aganta Burina Burinata Collage Workshop” will take place at İzmir Culture and Arts Factory.

On 20 April 2026, the documentary Filos will be screened at the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Centre.

On 21 April 2026, Ahmet Piriştina City Archive and Museum will host the talk and exhibition “Hello World, Hello Children: The Fisherman of Halicarnassus”, with the participation of members of the Kabaağaçlı family.

On 22 April 2026, the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Libraries Directorate will organise a musical storytelling event aboard the Bergama ferry, bringing the Fisherman of Halicarnassus’s world of sea and nature narratives to children. Ecem ile Çilek will also present a ventriloquist performance combining humour and imagination.

On 25–26 April 2026, Maison Magi Cultural Centre will host a talk with members of the Kabaağaçlı family, the exhibition “Painter Cevat Şakir: The Visual Journey of the Fisherman of Halicarnassus” curated by Ömer Durmaz, a screening of the Filos documentary, and a performance of “Merhaba Halikarnas Balıkçısı”.

Other events organised by supporting institutions and contributors can also be followed through the official Merhaba Day platform. Up-to-date information on the full programme, participation conditions and newly announced events is available on the official website.