As part of the events marking the 105th anniversary of the adoption of the Turkish National Anthem and the 111th anniversary of the 18 March Gallipoli Naval Victory, as well as the commemoration of the nation’s martyrs, the History and Literature Society of Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) organised a conference titled “The Heroism of a Nation: From Gallipoli to the National Anthem.”

The programme, held at HKU Cine Amfi, began with a moment of silence in honour of the martyrs and the recitation of the National Anthem, followed by a screening of the documentary “The Birth of a Spirit: Gallipoli and the National Anthem.” The guest speaker of the event was Prof. Dr. Mehmet Soğukömeroğulları, a faculty member from the Department of Turkish Language and Literature at Gaziantep University.

Speaking at the event, Acting Rector of HKU, Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan, emphasised that the Gallipoli Victory represents not only a military success but also a struggle for national existence. She underlined the importance of understanding the spirit behind this historic resistance, stating:
“Today, we reflect on the traces of a long struggle and a heroic epic that took place 111 years ago. On these lands, there was a fight carried out with great faith despite hardship and deprivation. This struggle, marked by sacrifice, courage, and unwavering determination, is not merely a memory of the past; it is a testament to the will to stand firm against all adversities. When you visit Gallipoli, you do not simply see a battlefield; you witness a profound struggle fought under severe conditions, alongside immense sacrifice and extraordinary resilience.”

“Gallipoli Is Impassable” Reflects the Character of Our Nation

Highlighting the importance of collective consciousness and safeguarding national heritage, Küçükerdoğan noted that the phrase “Gallipoli is impassable” reflects the character of the Turkish nation. She added:
“It is our shared responsibility to preserve this invaluable legacy and pass it on to future generations with the same sense of duty. On this occasion, I respectfully commemorate, with mercy, our beloved martyrs—foremost among them Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms—and express my gratitude to our heroic veterans.”

During his presentation, titled “The Heroism of a Nation: From Gallipoli to the National Anthem,” Prof. Dr. Soğukömeroğulları stated that the spirit of Gallipoli is directly linked to the national consciousness embodied in the Turkish National Anthem. He emphasised that the verses of Mehmet Âkif Ersoy strongly reflect the nation’s determination for independence and its deep-rooted faith.

In his speech, Soğukömeroğulları shared insights into the life of Mehmet Âkif Ersoy, the circumstances surrounding the writing of the National Anthem, and key observations regarding the Gallipoli Naval Victory.

At the end of the programme, Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan presented Prof. Dr. Mehmet Soğukömeroğulları with a tree-planting certificate in commemoration of the day.