Halkevleri (People's Houses)

Halkevleri, or People's Houses, were cultural and social centers established in Turkey during the early 20th century, particularly in the 1930s under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's reforms. Their primary aim was to promote education, arts, and social activities among the working class and rural populations. Halkevleri offered various programs, including language classes, theater, music, and sports, fostering a sense of community and national identity. They played a crucial role in modernizing Turkish society and spreading Atatürk's ideals of secularism and modernization by making culture and education accessible to all citizens.