The 25 December Commemoration Programme organised by Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) began with a moment of silence and the Independence March. After the recitation of the Holy Quran and a prayer for our martyrs, the “Şahinbey Lament” was performed by HKU students and the documentary “The Liberation of Gaziantep” was screened.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, Hasan Kalyoncu University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Lütfi Yola said: “This struggle, which took place without weapons or ammunition, entirely in the spirit of national unity and solidarity, was not only a struggle for independence and freedom, but also an epic example showing what the Turkish people can achieve in unity and solidarity. Therefore, 25 December should not be regarded merely as the liberation of a city; 25 December is a meaningful symbol of how the Turkish Nation rose to its feet under the difficult conditions of that period. I pray for God’s mercy upon our revered martyrs who gave their lives in this honourable struggle, above all Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and offer my gratitude and respect to our veterans. I believe we must always keep this struggle alive in our memory. Happy 103rd Anniversary of the Liberation of our Veteran City from Enemy Occupation.”
At the Commemoration Programme, attended by Hasan Kalyoncu University Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, academics and students, Honorary President of the Gaziantep City Council and researcher-author Op. Dr. Samet Bayrak gave a conference titled “The Battle of Antep through Documents”. After the conference, as part of the celebrations of the 103rd Anniversary of the Liberation of Gaziantep from Enemy Occupation on 25 December, the “25 December Bicycle Tour” was held on the HKU Campus.
