DATÜB participated in the celebrations of the Malazgirt Victory in Ahlat.

The thematic tent opened in the Ahlat district of Bitlis by the World Ahıska Turks Union (DATÜB) attracted great interest on the occasion of the 953rd anniversary of the Malazgirt Victory.

Within the framework of the program, local municipalities introduced regional products and traditional flavors in 51 thematic tents set up in the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan National Garden located in the Çarho area of the district. Participating in the celebrations, the World Ahıska Turks Union (DATÜB) had the opportunity to promote the traditions and cultures of the Ahıska Turks while also narrating their experiences of exile through photographs to the citizens. In the tent, which saw intense interest, citizens learned about the exiles and oppression faced by the Ahıska Turks and experienced emotional moments while examining the photographs.

DATÜB Turkey representative Dr. İbrahim Agara stated, “It was established in 2010 by a cabinet decision. DATÜB has 13 representations in Turkey. We have 9 representations worldwide. Our founding purpose is related to the humanitarian crime and tragedy that the Ahıska Turks experienced in 1944 in Ahıska. Nearly 120,000 people were exiled from their homeland, Ahıska. One of our main purposes is to fight for the return to the Ahıska lands. The second is to bring the problems of the Ahıska Turks living in the 9 regions of the world to the agenda and work for the resolution of these issues in Turkey. The third is that according to the migration and settlement law enacted in Turkey in 1992, nearly 180,000 Ahıska Turks migrated, some with settlement permits and some without. Currently, 218 families from those who migrated with settlement permits have settled in Ahlat. Some of these families are currently in Elazığ. The second phase of the work has started. Hopefully, they will come as soon as possible,” he said.

“President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has supported the Ahıska Turks”

DATÜB Turkey Representative Dr. İbrahim Agara stated that 90% of the problems of the Ahıska Turks have been resolved thanks to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Agara said, “The reason we are here as the World Ahıska Turks Union (DATÜB) is to be a part of the 953rd anniversary celebrations of the Malazgirt Victory. We want to introduce the Ahıska Turks and Ahıska to the local people and Turkey by opening our own tent here. For this purpose, we opened our tent and offered our national food and beverages to the guests visiting our tent. We are trying to promote the Ahıska Turks with photographs, brochures, and newspapers related to the Ahıska Exile, as well as live broadcasts. The Ahıska Turks are a Turkish society that has experienced exile and genocide three times in the last century. I hope that thanks to our esteemed President, these migrations will come to an end and the Ahıska Turks will reunite with their homeland, Turkey.”