On the 76th anniversary of his death, Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was commemorated in EMU through ceremonies organised by Eastern Mediterranean University Atatürk Research and Application Center.
The first ceremony took place at EMU Atatürk monument at 8:45 on 10 November 2014. Following national songs and Atatürk’s 10th Year Speech to the Youth, Vice Rector for Administrative Affairs Prof. Dr. Bekir Özer laid a wreath on Atatürk’s monument. At 09:05, the ceremony continued with a moment of silence and national anthem followed by Eastern Mediterranean University Atatürk Research and Application Center chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu’s address.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu stated that the university commemorates the biggest leader of the Turkish nation Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the 76th anniversary of his passing. Following Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu’s speech, Vice Rector for Administrative Affairs Prof. Dr. Bekir Özer talked about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s military intelligence and his biggest gift to the Turkish nation, the foundation of the republic. Expressing his gratitude for Atatürk’s contributions to the Turkish nation, Prof. Dr. Özer put forth that the Turkish nation commemorates him with respect. Following the addresses, the ceremony ended with Atatürk’s Ideology Club members’ poems. Among notable names who attended the ceremony were Vice Rector for Financial Affairs Prof. Dr. Salih katırcıoğlu, Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Hıfsiye Pulhan and EMU Public Relations and Press Office Director Derviş Ekşici.
On the same day at 10:30 a.m., a panel took place at EMU Prof. Dr. Mehmet Tahiroğlu Hall. During the panel, EMU Atatürk Application and Research Center chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu delivered a speech entitled “From Captivity to Freedom” and EMU Atatürk Application and Research Center member and academic staff member Prof. Dr. Turgut Turhan talked about “The Thought of Death in Atatürk”. Following the aforesaid speakers, Dr. Turgay Bülent Göktürk delivered a speech entitled “Atatürk and Democracy” and EMU Atatürk Ideology Club chair Yiğit Vehbi Baylan spoke about “Atatürk and Youth”.