19 May was celebrated with enthusiasm in Izmir

Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day on May 19th was celebrated in various shows in Izmir, just like all around the country. Many activities were organized at the program held in Cumhuriyet Square.

The 105th anniversary of May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, which was gifted to the youth by the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was celebrated with an enthusiastic ceremony in Izmir. Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban, Aegean Army Commander Major General Kemal Yeni, Izmir Provincial Police Chief Celal Sel, Youth and Sports Izmir Provincial Director Murat Eskici, representatives of political parties, deputies, and many citizens attended the ceremony held at Cumhuriyet Square.

Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban issued a written statement on the occasion of May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. The statement included the following words: “On the 105th anniversary of the first and great step that initiated our national struggle, we once again celebrate May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day with enthusiasm and joy, as Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk lit the torch of independence and crowned our day with the Republic. With the inspiration and support received from our nation, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who took the first steps of liberation, then outlined the roadmap of the national struggle in Amasya, focused on his ultimate goal in Erzurum and Sivas, and crowned this sacred march with the Republic on October 29, 1923. The torch of independence, burning under the crescent and star flag in every corner of our country for 105 years, is the guarantee of our hopeful gaze towards the future from the 100th anniversary of our Republic to the prosperous tomorrows, and our belief that our youth, who we sincerely believe will never extinguish this torch, are the guarantee of our progress with great dedication and excitement. Our state, which has proven its strength and greatness with a century-old history, will continue its construction and development with the energy of its youth today and tomorrow, just as it has throughout its glorious history. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who always finds hope in the courage, determination, and perseverance of the youth, entrusted our Republic to the youth for this reason. Our valuable youth, who are aware of the trust left to them, continue to achieve significant successes in leading our country to a more beautiful future on the one hand, and continue to make us proud with the projects and achievements they sign internationally on the other hand. With these feelings and thoughts, I congratulate all our youth on May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, and once again express my gratitude and gratitude to all the heroes of our national struggle, our dear martyrs, and heroic veterans, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.”
“This is the spirit that forms the steel core of our country”

Speaking at the celebrations, Murat Eskici, the Youth and Sports Izmir Provincial Director, stated, “May 19th is a very important and exceptional date for us and our nation in this respect. This date is the day when the spirit rising against enemy occupation in every corner of Anatolia is almost an account of the future, a day when the spark of a future spirit ignites. This date is the day when the first brick was laid in the construction of the Turkey we live in peace, tranquility, and security today. On May 19, 1919, our nation demonstrated its resistance against captivity and initiated a total existential struggle with the power it derived from its essence. This is the day when this nation, which today and later embodied the cries of ‘Independence or Death’ with determination, began its struggle for existence and non-existence. Dear young people, never forget this; the spirit of May 19th is the greatest asset and capital of this nation. The meaning of walking together, standing against challenges together, and fighting with perseverance, faith, and determination is hidden in this spirit. This is the spirit that forms the steel core of our country. Despite all adversities and hardships, we can now understand very well how our nation, regardless of age, fought for freedom. 105 years later, we say once again that this nation only bows in reverence, only kneels in prostration. Nowhere else. We are the heirs of a magnificent tradition that shaped history. We feel the responsibility of carrying this richness from the past, the inheritance of humanity, to the future on our shoulders, and we work diligently to prepare our youth for the future in the strongest way. We believe in and trust the youth of Turkey on this path. With these thoughts, I remember with gratitude and mercy all our martyrs who sacrificed themselves for this blessed homeland, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades, and sincerely congratulate our youth and our nation on the holiday.”
The celebrations continued with shows

After the speech of Murat Eskici, the Youth and Sports Izmir Provincial Director, students who took the stage recited the poem “May 19th,” the “Address to Youth” by Atatürk, and the response “To the Youth”. Following the folk dance team’s performances, athletes showcased their performances on the stage set up. At the end of the program, citizens waved their Turkish flags in accompaniment to the students who opened Atatürk posters and Turkish flags in their hands.