Mamak Mayor Şahin’s Message for May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day

The Mayor of Mamak, Veli Gündüz Şahin, shared a celebration message regarding the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day on May 19th. Mayor Veli Gündüz Şahin expressed in a written statement that May 19th is an important milestone in the history of the republic and they will celebrate its 105th anniversary with great pride and honor. Mentioning Atatürk’s landing in Samsun, Şahin recalled that all his duties and ranks were revoked. He stated, ‘The Great Leader Atatürk, by not giving up on this struggle, took the first step towards the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence and lit the fuse of a signal aiming for an anti-imperialist struggle and complete independence, which changed the fate of our nation and made history in our country.’ Emphasizing that Atatürk presented only one option in the debates of American mandate and British patronage, Şahin said, ‘The foundation of National Sovereignty, full independence, and modernization, the liberation and enlightenment march that began on ‘May 19, 1919,’ demolished all hopes, ended the sultanate and caliphate, and established a secular republic in the homeland that was aimed to be divided and fragmented.’ Reminding that Atatürk entrusted the Republic to the youth, Şahin continued his words as follows: ‘We will celebrate May 19th, which has been avoided being celebrated at its deserved importance in recent years, with enthusiasm. No matter how much it is belittled and attempted to be forgotten, our youth and all our nation are determined to keep May 19th alive forever and live it with honor. We will celebrate our May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day with great enthusiasm ‘in every situation and condition’ as expressed in the Speech he gifted us. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to all our citizens, especially our youth, on this holiday.