19 May was celebrated with enthusiasm in Canakkale

The 105th anniversary of the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day was celebrated with enthusiasm through ceremonies and events in Çanakkale. The ceremony of the 105th anniversary of the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day started at 10:00 in Cumhuriyet Square with the laying of a wreath by the Director of Youth and Sports, Ömer Kalkan, at the Atatürk Monument. The ceremony continued with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem. The ceremony was attended by the Governor of Çanakkale, Ilhami Aktaş, Deputy Governor of Çanakkale, Hakkı Uzun, CHP Çanakkale Deputy İsmet Güneşhan, Mayor of Çanakkale, Muharrem Erkek, Chief of Police Selim Arıcı, Senior Colonel Sadi Akman, department heads, veterans, political party representatives, students, and many others. The Director of Youth and Sports, Ömer Kalkan, delivered a speech highlighting the significance of the day, stating, “Today, we are experiencing the joy and enthusiasm of the 105th anniversary of the arrival of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic and the supreme commander of the National Struggle, in Samsun. Today is the day when the torch of the liberation struggle ignited in Samsun was carried from hand to hand, heart to heart in Anatolia, reviving the spirit of Çanakkale. Dear young people, May 19 is the day when we began to write one of the greatest epics of heroism in history by declaring to the imperialist powers that the Turkish nation will not bow down to oppression with unity and solidarity. It is our foremost duty to pass on to future generations the heroism displayed by our ancestors for the independence and future of our nation in the most vivid manner. With this understanding, we embrace the sacred trusts we inherited a century ago and build the century of Turkey, which is the target of our country’s future.” Following the speech, a flag march was held from Cumhuriyet Square, through İnönü Avenue, Ziveriye Street, and Kayserili Ahmet Paşa Avenue to Çağlar Kaynak basketball court. Participants in the march, carrying the Turkish flag and Atatürk’s portrait at the forefront, celebrated the 105th anniversary of the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day with enthusiasm, waving Turkish flags. Throughout the day, various activities will be held along the seaside within the scope of the Youth Festival of the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.