The enthusiasm of May 19th will never end

With the ‘Youth Festival’ organized by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, the enthusiasm of May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day was experienced all around the city. The people of Bursa, who spent three fun-filled days participating in the events, experienced a visual feast with light and sound shows at Hüdavendigar Kent Park and Tophane Clock Tower, and also enjoyed the festival to the fullest with Emre Fel and Blok3 concerts.

The May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, a gift from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to the youth, was celebrated in Bursa in a manner fitting its spirit, just like in the whole country. The ‘Youth Festival’ organized by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality with the slogan ‘Smiling in the light of the youth’ brought the May 19th enthusiasm to the citizens at different points of the city for three days. On the third day of the festival, Hüdavendigar Kent Park was filled with young people who carry the love of the Republic in their hearts. People of all ages in Bursa had an unforgettable day by participating in colorful and entertaining activities. Young people who participated in various activities from Atatürk and May 19th exhibition to idea wall, enjoyed pleasant moments in different game areas from table tennis to e-sports. Young people who enjoyed music feasts with concerts by groups such as Barış Orchestra, Ted Band, Hipertansiyon, Ali Keskin Piano, and Bursa City Orchestra on the main stage, had laughter-filled moments with stand-up shows by Çınar Anatolian High School, Tuba Ulu, and Bişi Dicem at the ‘Smiling Stage’. The people of Bursa had the opportunity to showcase their talents in many areas from caricature to giant jenga workshops and also had fun and competed with each other in various tournaments from climbing to basketball and volleyball.

‘This country, this city is yours’
Mayor of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Mustafa Bozbey, together with his wife Seden Bozbey, met with the citizens at the event area in Hüdavendigar Kent Park. Mayor Bozbey, who visited each booth and chatted with the citizens, also played games with the young people in the e-sports area, becoming a part of their fun. The young people who took souvenir photos with Mayor Bozbey, who made them experience the May 19th enthusiasm, thanked Mayor Bozbey. Before the concert, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey and his wife Seden Bozbey greeted the young people filling the area, celebrating the youth with Turkish flags in their hands. Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, who said ‘you are magnificent’ to the youth, remembered with love, respect, and gratitude Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the great leader who took the first step for liberation 105 years ago, along with all his comrades-in-arms, veterans, and martyrs. Stating that May 19th, like every national holiday, is very important for everyone, Mayor Bozbey said, ‘We did not come to these days easily. 105 years ago, Gazi Mustafa Kemal and his companions set out from Istanbul on May 16th. They arrived in Samsun on May 19th. The country was under occupation. There were those who were traitors. On May 19th, they took the first step and courageously, with reason, they focused on a target together and established a brand new country. Now it is only up to us to take care of it. May 19th, 1919, is the day that marks the beginning of the War of Independence, carried out with the thought ‘either independence or death’. Atatürk lit the torch of independence and enlightenment. He gifted today as the Youth and Sports Day to the Turkish youth. That’s why the future will rise on the shoulders of the youth. Atatürk, seeing the future of the nation in the youth, entrusted the republic, which he called ‘my greatest work’, to the youth. Thanks to them, we live in peace and freedom. Thanks to them, we did not become a colony. Thanks to them, we did not remain under protection. They left as they came, thanks to the struggle for liberation they gave. We are aware of all the difficulties we are in. But there is no place for despair. This country, this city is yours.’

‘Glad you exist, youth’
Reminding Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s words ‘All my hope is in the youth’ and stating that his testament to the youth is also clear, Mayor Bozbey, recited together with hundreds of young people, ‘O Turkish youth! Your first duty is to forever protect Turkish independence and the Turkish Republic. We swear to march incessantly to the target you have shown on the path you have opened.’ Mayor Bozbey, who said that the youth are the guarantee of our future, stated, ‘The Republic of Turkey, established with great sacrifices in difficulties and poverty by sacrificing thousands of martyrs, is entrusted to you. I have full faith that you will protect this trust forever. With this belief, I congratulate you on May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. Glad you exist, youth.’

Emre Fel concert
Following the speech, popular singer Emre Fel took the stage first and sang beloved songs for the young people of Bursa. Singing along with the young people in unison, Emre Fel took the listeners on a delightful journey with his music. Emre Fel, who congratulated everyone on May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, thanked the young people who attended the concert by saying ‘You are wonderful, Bursa.’ At the end of the concert, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey took the stage and presented flowers to Emre Fel on behalf of the youth as a memory of the day.

A visual feast was presented to Bursa
Following the Emre Fel concert, a visual feast was presented to the audience with the water curtain mapping show held at Hüdavendigar Kent Park. Bursalılar watched the show with great interest, where the ‘struggle for liberation’ was reflected on the water curtain with light and sound shows. Then, the illuminated mapping show at Tophane Clock Tower once again made the 19th of May enthusiasm alive in the city of Bursa. While the silhouette of ‘Atatürk’ was reflected on the historical structure, those moments were also live broadcasted on the big screen at Hüdavendigar Kent Park. The mapping shows, watched with excitement by the young people under the Turkish flags, offered an unforgettable evening to the people of Bursa.

Blok3 concert
At the end of the day, ‘Blok3’ took the stage and met with the young people. Performing their songs amid the great enthusiasm of the youth, Blok3 impressed the audience with its stage performance. At the end of the concert, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey took the stage and presented flowers to Blok3 on behalf of the youth as a memory of the day.