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“100th Anniversary of the National Struggle” Celebrated at EMU

The events organized by the Eastern Mediterranean University Atatürk Research and Application Center (EMU-ATAUM)   in celebration of the 100th anniversary of 19 May 1919, the starting date of the Turkish national struggle have been completed. The celebrations began on the 12th of May 2019 with a “Record-Breaking Blood Donation” campaign that broke the TRNC record by collecting 112 units of blood. This was followed by the emotional conference delivered by Turkish National Struggle commander Kazım Karabekir Pasha’s daughter Timsal Karabekir. A National Struggle Oratorio took place on the 13th of May 2019 which featured dance performances, a music recital and a search and rescue team show. The extraordinary “Re-creating the Signature of Ata in Air, on Land and at Sea” event also attracted a great deal of attention.

100th Year Youth Walk

The 100th anniversary of 19 May 1919 celebrations came to an end with the “Re-creating Ata’s Signature on Land” and “100th Year Youth Walk” events which took place on Sunday, 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk Youth and Sports Day. At 15:00 students used their bodies to make a frame for Atatürk’s signature at the EMU Yasin Düşüner Stadium. This event was also attended by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam. At 19:19 on the same day the “100th Year Youth Walk” commenced from the Atatürk Square. Famagusta District Governor Kemal Serpal, EMU Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Mehtap Malkoç, Commander Ali Koruk, EMU-ATAUM Executive Board Members, academic staff, EMU and Famagusta high school students also participated in the said walk.

Significantly High Attendance

The events commenced with a moment of silence for martyrs and the national anthem, followed by a speech from EMU-ATAUM President Asst. Prof. Dr. Turgay Bülent Göktürk. Asst. Prof. Dr. Göktürk indicated that the date of May 19, 2019 has a special meaning as it is the 100th anniversary of “19 May 1919 which is when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk stepped down to Samsun and launched the Action Phase of our National Struggle which was the commencement of national sovereignty. Victory was reached on the 9th of September with the liberation of İzmir. Asst. Prof. Dr. Göktürk indicated that another reason why it is a special day is because it is the day which is often accepted as Atatürk’s birthday. The parade walk during which a number of anthems were chanted by those participating in the walk and the Famagusta public that were encountered on route commenced after Asst. Prof. Dr. Göktürk’s speech was completed. The walk came to an end at the city center along with EMU-ATAUM’s 100th anniversary of the Natinal Struggle celebrations.