Star-studded Golden Butterfly Awards witness Soma, Gezi tributes

The 41st Altın Kelebek (Golden Butterfly) Awards, which were presented on June 22 at a ceremony at Istanbul’s Zorlu Center, witnessed tributes to the Soma mining disaster victims and the Gezi Park protests.

Hollywood star Jessica Alba was the honorary guest of this year’s ceremony, attended by the stars of Turkish television and sponsored by Magnum. Alba welcomed guests briefly in Turkish during her opening speech:

Comedian Tolga Çevik was the biggest winner of the night, taking home the Best Comedy Actor award and the Best Comedy Series award for his improvised comedy show “Arkadaşım Hoşgeldin” (Welcome, My Friend).

Halit Ergenç won the award for Best Actor with his performance as Suleiman the Magnificent in the historical drama “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century), which ended this month after four hugely successful seasons.

Miss Turkey Universe 2010 titleholder Serenay Sarıkaya’s acting performance received the Best Actress award for her part in “Medcezir,” a Turkish drama adapted from U.S. series The O.C.

“Küçük Ağa” was awarded Best Drama, while Altan Dönmez was chosen as Best Drama Director for “Güneşi Beklerken” (While Waiting for the Sun).

Among the other winners of this year’s awards were Murat Boz (Best Male Pop Singer), Gülşen (Best Female Pop Singer), Yatcaz Kalkcaz Hop Ordayız by Gülşen (Best Song of the Year), İrfan Değirmenci (Best Anchorman), Nazlı Çelik (Best Anchorwoman), and “Büyük Risk” (Big Risk) (Best TV Contest).

Değirmenci received some of the most enthusiastic applause of the night. In his speech, he...