Teknofest Southeast 2026 Wraps Up with Spectacular Showcase in Şanlıurfa
The annual Teknofest, Türkiye’s leading technology and aviation festival, concluded successfully in the culturally rich city of Şanlıurfa on October 4, 2026. Running from September 30 to October 4, this year’s edition was unique as it marked the first time the Southeast leg of the event was hosted in the region, attracting tech enthusiasts and thousands of visitors to the Şanlıurfa GAP Airport.
The event featured exhibitions from major domestic defense and aerospace companies, including Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Roketsan, and Baykar, who presented their latest products and discussed future lineups and deliveries.
Since its inception in 2018, Teknofest has grown significantly, also expanding to locations like the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Azerbaijan. Earlier this year, a maritime version of the event, Teknofest Blue Homeland, was held for the second time.
Şanlıurfa, known for its historical sites like Göbeklitepe and Balıklıgöl, hosted the festival’s 15th edition. The event was particularly lively with humanoid robots performing traditional dances, emphasizing the local culture and heritage.
Visitors flocked to view domestically produced aircraft, including the Kızılelma unmanned fighter jet and the Akıncı drone. An engaging attraction was the “Göbeklitepe Experience Area,” which allowed visitors to traverse 12 millennia of history in merely three minutes.
In his opening remarks, Selçuk Bayraktar, CTO of Baykar and chair of the Teknofest board, remarked, “Knowledge, wisdom, and civilization are here. Today, the technology of the future is also here.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praised Şanlıurfa’s rich scientific and cultural heritage during his speech, highlighting its historical significance in fields like medicine and astronomy. He asserted, “Şanlıurfa deserves this,” referring to the city’s vital contributions.
The closing ceremony was expected to draw an audience, including Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, marking a memorable end to the festival that celebrates innovation and heritage.
