The 810th anniversary of the conquest was celebrated with enthusiasm in Sinop.

The 810th anniversary of the conquest of Sinop was celebrated with great enthusiasm through various events.

The events began with a “Conquest March” starting from Lonca Gate on Sakarya Avenue and lasting all the way to Uğur Mumcu Square via Atatürk Avenue. Sinop Governor Mustafa Özarslan and his wife Reva Beray Özarslan, Deputy Mayor Hikmet Karaduman, Chief Public Prosecutor Mesut Pektaş, Justice Commission Chairman İbrahim Hatipoğlu, Sinop University Rector Prof. Dr. Şakir Taşdemir, Deputy Governor Ali Osman Bulat, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Hakan Başaklıgil, protocol members, and citizens participated in the “Conquest March” accompanied by a Mehteran band. Citizens showed their support by waving Turkish flags during the march, which was also accompanied by mounted soldiers. The celebration program held at Uğur Mumcu Square began with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem.

In his speech at the program, Governor Özarslan stated, “We are proud to celebrate the 810th anniversary of the conquest of Sinop, which took place with the determination of the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan Izzeddin Keykavus and the heroism of his army. On this meaningful day, I greet you with love and respect. History is the memory of nations. To learn our history, we need to know and find answers to some questions. When did we Turks take possession of this geography, namely Sinop? What sacrifices did we make in return? If we do not know our own history, if we do not learn our own history, we fall in love with the history of others, their heroes, and their geography. We should learn not the imaginary heroes of others but our own real heroes and historical figures. We should be closer to our own history, our heroes, our homeland, our geography, and our country. If we do not know history, we cannot establish the historical and cultural connections between Sinop, Konya, Sivas, Amasya, Alanya, and Antalya. Sinop, which stands like a pearl in the heart of the Black Sea, also adorned the dream of Sultan Izzeddin Keykavus with the ideal of Kızılelma 810 years ago. The first place where the Turkish nation met the sea on the Black Sea coast and made a home is Sinop. It has been our home and homeland for 810 years. Therefore, this is a history that deserves to be celebrated. We are also trying to do justice to this.”

The program continued with the presentation of awards to the winners of the poetry contest themed on the conquest of Sinop, a symbolic demonstration of athletes climbing castle ramparts with ropes, and a traditional archery show. Among the events, the impressive concert performed by the Mehteran Band of the Ministry of National Defense provided unforgettable moments for the audience. The show attracted great interest from citizens. The program concluded with refreshments distributed to the participants.