Eren Bülbül was a Turkish high school student who was killed alongside Gendarmerie Senior Master Sergeant Ferhat Gedik during an attack that occurred while he was guiding security forces to the location of PKK terrorists in the Maçka district of Trabzon. Following his martyrdom, Eren Bülbül’s name was bestowed upon various institutions across Türkiye and has become symbolic through the phrase “İyi ki Varsın Eren” (Thank You for Existing, Eren).

Birth and Family

Eren Bülbül was born on 1 January 2002 in the Köprüyanı neighbourhood of Maçka district, Trabzon. He was the youngest child of Hasan and Ayşe Bülbül and a member of a large family. Eren grew up in a single-story house and spent his childhood in the rural areas of the Black Sea region.

Educational Life and Daily Routine

Eren completed his primary education at Köprüyanı Primary School and Çatak Primary School before enrolling at Maçka Anatolian Imam Hatip High School. In 2016, at the age of 14, he lost his father. To help support his family’s livelihood, he worked seasonal jobs in hazelnut orchards and took up shepherding. Despite limited economic means, Eren continued his education and was known in his community for his passion for Trabzonspor and his diligence.

A Photograph Etched in Memory

In 2014, while working as a shepherd at Çamlıdüz Plateau, Eren was photographed by Umut Can Karahasanoğlu, a teacher at Hasan Şadoğlu Middle School in Istanbul. Karahasanoğlu said he was deeply moved by his conversation with Eren, noting his maturity and sense of justice. After Eren’s martyrdom, these photographs acquired symbolic significance in Turkish public consciousness.

Eren Bülbül (GoodThatYouExistEren)

Terrorism Tip and Martyrdom

On 11 August 2017, Eren Bülbül provided information to security forces about the hideout of PKK terrorists. On the same day, during a clash in the rural area of Maçka, he was killed alongside Gendarmerie Senior Master Sergeant Ferhat Gedik. It was reported that Eren acted as a guide during the clash, was targeted and seriously wounded during the attack, and later died at Karadeniz Technical University Farabi Hospital. One police officer was also injured in the incident.

Funeral Ceremony and Burial

A funeral ceremony for Eren Bülbül was held on 12 August 2017 at the Maçka Central Mosque. Attendees included his family and relatives, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, regional governors, members of parliament, military officials, the Trabzonspor community, and thousands of citizens. After the funeral prayer, his body, wrapped in the Turkish flag, was carried on shoulders to the family cemetery in Köprüyanı neighbourhood, where he was laid to rest beside his father.

Place in Collective Memory and Commemoration

Eren Bülbül’s martyrdom sparked widespread反响 across Türkiye. A social media post reading “Biri de çıkıp demiyor ki Eren, iyi ki varsın” (Someone should step forward and say, Eren, thank you for existing) was widely shared and became a symbol. His name was given to schools, mosques, libraries, youth centers, tunnels, and memorial forests in Trabzon. One Turkish Airlines aircraft was named “Maçka,” and an orphanage in Somalia and water wells in Niger and Benin were inaugurated in his name. One of the Bayraktar TB2 UAVs was also named after Eren.

The Bayraktar TB2 Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Named After Eren Bülbül (Baykar Technology)

Life Story Reflected in Cinema

The TRT co-produced film “Kesişme: İyi ki Varsın Eren” premiered on 1 January 2022. The film focuses on the lives of Eren Bülbül and Gendarmerie Senior Master Sergeant Ferhat Gedik. Eren’s mother, Ayşe Bülbül, stated that she watched the film alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and was deeply moved, particularly by the final scenes. The film had a profound impact on public opinion, especially among families affected by loss.

Commemoration Operations and Spiritual Legacy

In 2021, the Ministry of Interior named its counter-terrorism operations “Eren Operations” in memory of Eren Bülbül. These operations were launched across numerous regions to keep his memory alive. Ayşe Bülbül stated that while these operations could not bring Eren back, they filled her with pride as a mother to know that her son was still remembered.