The 19th of May, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day was celebrated with enthusiasm in Mersin

May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day was celebrated with enthusiasm in Mersin. During the celebrations, folk dances, taekwondo, and gymnastics shows prepared by young people and children received great applause from the participants. The excitement of May 19th was experienced in Mersin as well, just like all over the country, on the 105th anniversary of Atatürk’s landing in Samsun on May 19th, 1919. The celebrations started at 09:00 in the morning at Republic Square with the reading of messages from state officials and the laying of a wreath at the Atatürk Monument by the Youth and Sports Provincial Director Ökkeş Demir and two young people. The ceremony was attended by Mersin Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan, Mediterranean Region and Garrison Commander Rear Admiral Murat Fırat, Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap Seçer, protocol members, athletes, and students. After a minute of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, a poem was recited by a member of the Youth Center of the Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate.
‘Alper Gezeravcı is a clear proof of what the children of the Turkish nation can achieve’ In his speech on the significance of the day, Youth and Sports Provincial Director Ökkeş Demir said, ‘Today is the 105th anniversary of the liberation torch lit by Mustafa Kemal in Samsun, spreading from hand to hand and heart to heart in Anatolia. With the feelings carried by Atatürk who greeted the patriotic people of Samsun on that day, I greet you all. May 19th marks the beginning of the rise of our nation with all its honor and nobility under the guidance of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the stage of history once again. May 19th is not only the beginning of the Turkish National Liberation Movement but also the name of the new Turkish state taking its place among the family of nations with contemporary values. May 19th represents youth, and youth means the future… The Turkish youth, the unwavering guardian of Turkish Independence and the Turkish Republic, is the sole and greatest guarantee of today and tomorrow.’ Continuing his address to the youth, Demir said, ‘Dear young people, you should show great interest in sports, technology, science, and innovation. Our fellow citizen from Mersin, astronaut Alper Gezeravcı, who carried out Turkey’s first manned space science mission, is a clear proof of what the children of the Turkish nation can achieve.’ Following the speeches, the folk dances, gymnastics, taekwondo, cycling, and skating shows performed by children and young people received great admiration.
‘Just as our ancestors participated in the national struggle 105 years ago, today we have come together to build our future’ After the ceremony, Mersin Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan reminded that today marks the 105th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk landing in Samsun on May 19th, 1919, igniting the torch of liberation and starting the national struggle. He stated, ‘Today, we celebrate the Youth and Sports Day that Atatürk gifted to our youth, just like in the entire country, here in Mersin as well. Of course, May 19th is the year when the national struggle began, the year when our glorious ancestors fought against seven invaders to gain the independence of Anatolia. Our ancestors fought a superior battle to gain the independence of Anatolia, which was tried to be occupied by seven powers, and eventually this battle ended in victory. The War of Independence is a struggle that will be written in history with golden letters, reaching its peak with the declaration of our republic on October 29, 1923. The founder of our republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, frequently expressed his faith in and trust in the youth, seeing the youth as the elements that will elevate and sustain the republic. Today, we celebrate this holiday with our youth. Our youth is our pride, our hope. Just as 105 years ago, our ancestors of all ages participated in the national struggle, today, we have come together, especially with our youth, to build our future. Today, we have gathered here to strengthen and build our future together and we promise to do so.’