19 May was celebrated with a ceremony in Aydın

The 105th anniversary of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s landing in Samsun to initiate the national struggle was celebrated with a ceremony held in Aydın, as well as throughout the country.

Under the coordination of the Aydın Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate, a ceremony was held in conjunction with the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day on May 19. The ceremony began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Atatürk statue in front of the Aydın Governorship. Following a moment of silence and the national anthem, the program continued at the Aydın Atatürk Indoor Sports Hall after a procession from the Governorship to the sports hall.

Addressing the significance and meaning of the day, Aydın Youth and Sports Provincial Director Cenap Fillikçioğlu stated, ‘With the end of World War I in defeat, the path to the establishment of our republic began, leading to the great struggle for liberation with the motto of ‘independence or death,’ and it was the beginning of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s resurgence on the stage of history with the honor and nobility of our nation. Therefore, May 19 is a day of heroism. It is a day that proves the determination, decision, and spiritual power of the nation. It is a day of the sovereignty of national sovereignty and will. How fortunate we are that the Turkish nation’s existence, which has lasted for centuries on earth, is based on patriotism and prioritizing all values above all.’

Director Fillikçioğlu also mentioned the investments made for the youth under the coordination of the Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate, stating, ‘With the approval of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the instructions of our Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Osman Aşkın Bak and our Governor of Aydın Yakup Canbolat, we have provided our province with 120 artificial turf fields, 12 youth centers, 9 indoor semi-Olympic swimming pools, 1 outdoor swimming pool, 10 football fields at BAL League standards, 7 sports halls, 1 district stadium, 1 go-kart track, and 3 student dormitories, all of which are offered to our youth, athletes, and students.’

Following the speeches, the program continued with speeches, poems, Atatürk’s Address to Youth, Youth’s Response to Atatürk, folk dances, gymnastics, taekwondo, zumba, ballet, and acrobatic gymnastics performances by students. Lastly, Aydın Governor Yakup Canbolat presented awards to students who achieved success in the competitions held in honor of May 19.

After the celebration program, the protocol visited the cultural and sports stands set up in front of the Atatürk Sports Hall.