Governor Gül, Mayor Turan and Selçuk Bayraktar Commemorated the Martyrs and Veterans with Gratitude on the Ninth Anniversary of 15 July

On the ninth anniversary of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, a commemoration programme was held in Saraçhane, the symbol of resistance in Istanbul, with the participation of thousands of people. The night, which was also attended by Mr. Davut Gül, Governor of Istanbul, Mr. M. Ergün Turan, Mayor of Fatih Municipality and Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BAYKAR, commemorated the martyrs with mercy, remembered the veterans with gratitude and emphasised once again the determination of the nation on 15 July.

15 July 2016, a turning point in the recent history of Türkiye, was remembered as the night when the coup attempt against the will of the people was eliminated with the unshakable stance of the nation. Declaring every year that it has not forgotten that dark night and will not let it be forgotten, Türkiye welcomed 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day with great unity and dignity this year.

The commemoration programme, organised in cooperation with the Governorate of Istanbul and Fatih Municipality, was held in Saraçhane Park, one of the symbolic places of the resistance. The programme was attended by Mr. Davut Gül, the Governor of İstanbul, Mr. M. Ergün Turan, the Mayor of İstanbul Municipality, Mr. Selçuk Bayraktar, BAYKAR Chairman, Mr. Abdullah Özdemir, AK Party Istanbul Provincial Chairman and Mr. Fatih Karaismailoğlu, AK Party Fatih District Chairman. Thousands of Istanbulites came together in the area equipped with Turkish flags and gave a message of national unity on the ninth anniversary of 15 July.

The events started with a meeting at Fatih Mosque at 19.30. The march accompanied by the Mehter team continued as the enthusiastic crowd marched to Saraçhane Park with prayers and takbirs. Starting at 20.30, the atmosphere of the area became even stronger with the mehter concert. The commemoration programme, which started at 21.00, included protocol speeches, cinevision screenings, poetry recitals and stage performances. The programme ended at 00.13 with the salahs and prayers.

Addressing the citizens who filled Saraçhane Square, Mr. Turan, the Mayor emphasised that 15 July was not an ordinary date; it was a turning point where a nation rose again and demonstrated its will:

"That night, our nation once again demonstrated the spirit of resistance it has exhibited throughout history by defending its call to prayer, flag and homeland. They put not only their bodies but also their faith, conscience and determination against tanks, helicopters and rifles. That night, a nation stood up again in these lands."

In the continuation of his speech, Mr. Turan stated that the millions of people who took to the streets with the call of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claimed the destiny of Türkiye:

"With the leadership of our President and the courage of our nation, the traitors were defeated. Keeping the memory of this great resistance alive and protecting the relics of our martyrs is not only to remember the past; it is also to fulfil our responsibility towards the future."

Mr. Turan, the Mayor emphasised that 15 July was not just a one-night heroism, but a consciousness and determination that penetrated the soul of the nation and he added the following:

"We have to keep this memory alive, carry the name of our martyrs to future generations, and further strengthen our democracy and national will. Because the name of victory is Türkiye. Because the fate of this country is in the hands of the nation."

The visual presentations that continued throughout the day on the platform established in Saraçhane Park refreshed the collective memory of the people with documents, photographs and images of the night of 15 July. The events of that night were revived in the minds of every participant in the square. The fact that thousands of people who did not know each other stood in the same silence, burst into tears at the same time and became one heart with the same determination once again made Saraçhane a symbol of national memory.

With the flags waving, prayers echoing and salutes recited throughout the night, it was not only a commemoration, but also a scene of resurrection where a nation shouted its will, memory and determination. The voice rising from Saraçhane conveyed the following message to all of Türkiye on the anniversary of 15 July:

"The will is the nation's. Victory belongs to Türkiye."