Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi (OMU) Atatürk’s Principles and History of Turkish Revolution Research and Application Center commemorated the 18 March Çanakkale Martyrs with an event.
Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kuran, Director of the Atatürk’s Principles and History of Turkish Revolution Research and Application Center Prof. Dr. Kaya Tuncer Çağlayan, academicians and a great number of students attended the event held at the Faculty of Education B Block.

"Çanakkale spirit is still standing straight today"

The opening speech of the event was given by the Director of the Center Prof. Dr. Kaya Tuncer Çağlayan. Çağlayan said: “The command staff, brave sons and especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk showed that Anatolia would remain Turk and Muslim against England and France, who attacked with the greatest fleet and army of the world to take Anatolia, which has been the homeland of the Turkish people for a thousand years. God rest the souls of all our martyrs. All hail the veterans and God rest the saint martyrs of Afrin, which showed that the spirit that won Çanakkale is still standing straight today. I would like to thank lecturers Şeyma Büyükkavas Kuran and Mediha Mangır and students of the Turkish Education, who put an effort in and set their heart on the realization of the program, and the Deanship and Rectorate for their support. The 57th Regimental Banner is among us, hopefully, the spirit of our martyrs is also among us. I salute you all.”

"Sürmeli shared the encomium written to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk"

Afterward, Faculty of Education staff Prof. Dr. Serpil Sürmeli gave a conference titled “Çanakkale Victory”. Speaking of the importance of the Çanakkale Victory, Prof. Dr. Sürmeli explained in detail how the Turkish army entered the war and the path to victory. Sürmeli also shared the encomium written by Abdülkerim Uveyda, who was among the Arab Scholarly Committee sent to Çanakkale from Syria, Palestine and Lebanon after the victory, to Mustafa Kemal Ataürk. Prof. Dr. Serpil Sürmeli ended the conference reading verses written for Martyr Captain Enver Efendi.
At the end of the conference, Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Bilgiç thanked Prof. Dr. Serpil Sürmeli presenting a sapling certificate.

"18 March is the day when the Resurrection became a legend"

In their speech in regard to the meaning and importance of the day, Rector Bilgiç said: “18 March is the name of the day when the resurrection of the Turkish people became a legend. We also have to certainly keep the spirit of that day alive. But then we see today the existence of that spirit, thank goodness. As a people aware of what that spirit is capable to achieve, we also know that we have to work hard and be strong being aware of the sacred mission on our shoulders. You prospective teachers shouldn’t forget that a vital mission is on your shoulders, not a heavy burden. For the younglings who will be raised in your hands and the knowledge, you pass to them is vital for our future. We have hope in you; may God bestow you a clear mind and strength. I wish you all good luck.”

The event ended with the Çanakkale oratorio by the Turkish Department 4th grade students organized under the leadership of the Faculty of Education academic staff Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şeyma Büyükkavas Kuran.

At the end of the event, the students who performed the oratorio received their thank letters. The event ended with group photos.