The commemoration programme held at Hasan Kalyoncu University as part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day events began with a moment of silence and the singing of the Independence March. After a poem on the theme of “15 July” was recited by Mustafa Taşçılar, a student of the Department of Primary School Teaching in the Faculty of Education, and a prayer was offered for our martyrs, the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day Photography Exhibition was opened to visitors.
Giving the opening speech of the programme, HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli said: “The coup attempt that took place in our country on 15 July 2016 showed us how valuable, and at the same time how fragile, democracy is. On that dark night, our nation stood up for its homeland, its flag and its will, gave the traitors no opportunity, and wrote a new epic in golden letters in history. The heroes of this epic, our martyrs and veterans, left us a great legacy: Democracy and National Unity. We have gathered here today to keep this legacy alive and pass it on. In the light of science, our university is carrying out work to strengthen awareness of democracy and national unity. As academics, students and administrators, we take responsibility for contributing to the development, progress and peace of our country. We know that, to prevent coup attempts from happening again, there are things that not only the state but also society must do. In order to always stand against coups, whether modern, post-modern or traditional, in whatever form, and to ensure there is never another coup, we must spread a culture of democracy by seeing our differences as a richness. On this occasion, on 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, we remember our martyrs with mercy and offer our gratitude to our veterans. We promise that we will protect their legacy. On this occasion, we once again reaffirm our loyalty to our state, to democracy and to national unity. We pledge to work together for the future of our country.”
After the opening speeches, Lect. Murat Erkoç gave a conference titled “For the Flag, for the Love of Türkiye: The 15 July Victory of Independence.”
News: Mustafa KANLI /HKU
