15 July Democracy and National Unity Day commemoration programs were organized in Bursa, Eskişehir, Kütahya, Bilecik, Çanakkale, Yalova and Balıkesir.
Bursa Governor Erol Ayyıldız, Deputy Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Şahin Biba, Yıldırım Mayor Oktay Yılmaz, AK Party Bursa Provincial Chairman Davut Gürkan, Provincial Police Chief Kadir Gökçe, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Major General İdris Tataroğlu, institution and organization managers and citizens marched with flags in their hands, coming together in the Historical Statue Square, to the 15 July Democracy Square.
In the program here, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's speech was given live. The program continued with the recitation of the Holy Quran, Bursa Mehter Band show, "30 Birds" poem, July 15 themed documentary screening and Uğur Işılak concert.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bursa Governor Erol Ayyıldız said that the will of the nation, democracy and the survival of the state were targeted by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization on July 15, 2016.
Stating that the treacherous armed coup attempt was eliminated by the resistance of the nation, Ayyıldız said, "We are together on the 10th anniversary of Democracy and National Unity Day, one of the most important turning points in our history." he said.
Ayyıldız stated that the treacherous coup attempt carried out by FETO on the night of July 15 was eliminated with the unshakable will, courage and love of the country of our beloved nation and the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and said:
"I salute with my heartfelt feelings all our citizens who fill the squares all over our country today, as on that dark night, regardless of time and place, who stand tall by the ideal of the 'Turkey Century' of their state, their nation and democracy, under all circumstances. The epic resistance put forward on the night of July 15 has been the strongest indicator of the will to eliminate all kinds of threats against the Turkish nation in the spirit of national unity and solidarity, with the law of brotherhood and unshakable belief. With this great struggle "It has been declared to the whole world that the national will cannot be enslaved by any power."
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Şahin Biba stated that July 15 was one of the bloodiest attempts in the history of the Republic of Turkey.
As part of the events, a flag march was held from the Central Mosque to the Bazaar Square in Orhaneli district, with the participation of Orhaneli District Governor Yasin Erdem, Mayor Ali Osman Tayir and citizens, within the scope of July 15.
Sela was recited at 00.13 in all mosques in the city.
The ceremony in Çanakkale started with Governor Ömer Toraman presenting a wreath to the Atatürk Monument.
Then, a moment of silence was observed and the National Anthem was sung.
Following the ceremony here, the 15 July Martyrs Banner Run and the 15 July National Unity March were held.
GESTAŞ, Regional Port Authority, Coast Guard Western Marmara Group Command, Marine Police and fishermen's cooperatives accompanied the water show at sea by the tugboats belonging to the General Directorate of Coastal Safety with their marine vessels.
Çanakkale Governor Ömer Toraman visited the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day Commemoration Tent, which was established under the coordination of the Directorate of Communications.
The ceremony at Pier Square started with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem. After the recitation of the Holy Quran, prayers were made for the martyrs of July 15.
In the program where students read poems and performed, Çanakkale Mehteran Association also performed.
Ulaş Berkim Tümer, who won the bronze medal in the Men's Team Classic Bow Category at the 2024 Summer Olympics held in Paris, the capital of France, delivered the Turkish Flag, which was carried from hand to hand by the national athletes in Çanakkale, to Çanakkale Governor Toraman.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Toraman said that the treacherous coup attempt ten years ago was a major attack not only on the constitutional order and democracy, but also on the independence of the state and the unity and solidarity of the nation.
Stating that that night showed the whole world that the nation stood by its will, as it did throughout history, and that it would never give up its independence and freedom, Toraman continued his words as follows:
"The greatest power that forms the basis of our state is the unity and solidarity of our nation. History shows us that when we are divided, we become weak, and when we unite, there is no obstacle that we cannot overcome. Today, our most important responsibility is to continue to unite around our common values, seeing our differences as wealth. Democracy, the rule of law, national will and human dignity are common values that we must protect together. The way to keep these values alive is to maintain the understanding of strong institutions, strong society and strong state together."
Stating that July 15 reminds us not only of a night but also of important lessons, Toraman said, "We have to always be alert and act in unity and solidarity against all kinds of threats to our state, our nation and our future. Because a strong Turkey will only be possible with a strong social solidarity. Our goal in the second century of our Republic is a strong Turkey where peace, security, development and brotherhood prevail." he said.
July 15 Veteran Mustafa Cem Demirbağ also spoke at the program.
The program ended with the Heroic Folk Songs recital and the reading of hymns and odes by the Çanakkale Turkish Sufi Music Choir.
Sela was recited at 00.13 in all mosques in the city.
Amphibious Corps Commander Rear Admiral Hüseyin Tığlı, Bosphorus and Garrison Commander Rear Admiral Mustafa Biçen, Çanakkale Mayor Muharrem Erkek, Çanakkale Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Kürşat Albayrak, Eceabat District Governor Kerem Yenigün, Çanakkale Wars Gallipoli Historical Area President İsmail Kaşdemir, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander, Gendarmerie Senior Colonel. Cemalettin Akyüz, Provincial Police Chief Ergün Dağıstanlı, Çanakkale Coast Guard Western Marmara Group Commander Lieutenant Colonel Orhan Student, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Rector Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Erenoğlu, AK Party MKYK Member Naim Makas, institution heads, non-governmental board and political party representatives and citizens attended.
The 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day commemoration events in Bilecik started with the protocol members laying roses at the 15 July Martyrs' Monument.
Afterwards, a moment of silence was observed and the National Anthem was sung. Then, the Holy Quran was recited and prayers were made.
Subsequently, protocol members and participants walked to the Republic Square as a cortege.
In the program here, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's speech was given live and a video was shown explaining the events of July 15, 2016.
Athletes delivered the Turkish flag to Governor Faik Oktay Sözer.
In his speech at the organization, Governor Sözer reminded that there was a coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which was aimed at the survival of the state, the free will and democracy of the Turkish nation.
Emphasizing that this attempt was eliminated with the unique courage, unshakable faith and determination of the Turkish nation under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Sözer said:
"That night, our nation stood with its heart against the tanks, with its faith against the guns, and risked its lives not to let its crescent and star flag fall to the ground, not to silence the adhan, and not to divide its homeland. Our nation, united with its women, men, young and old, gave the world an unforgettable lesson of democracy."
The program continued with a music concert, a mehter show and visiting the exhibitions.
The organization was attended by Gendarmerie Training Commander Brigadier General Yusuf Aslan, Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University Rector Prof. Dr. Zafer Asım Kaplancıklı, Provincial Police Chief Erdem Çağlar, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Senior Colonel Ali Vanlı, Provincial General Assembly Chairman Ramazan Kurtulmuş, AK Party Provincial Chairman Serkan Yıldırım and other relevant persons attended.
Meanwhile, programs were also organized in Bozüyük, Osmaneli and Pazaryeri districts.
The program, held in Zafer Square in Kütahya, started with reading the Quran and praying. Thousands of citizens attended the event with Turkish flags in their hands.
In his speech at the program, Kütahya Governor Musa Işın said that July 15 was Türkiye's most important event after the War of Independence.
Stating that the country was in existential danger on the night of July 15, Işın said, "Our tanks, rifles, planes and helicopters came to bomb this beloved nation. All the cannons, rifles and planes in the East and Southeast that we sent to fight against terrorism started bombing our supreme parliament, the Presidency, the bridges in Istanbul and our nation." he said.
In the program, Mayor Eyüp Kahveci emphasized that the Turkish nation fought a great struggle for democracy by opposing FETO's coup attempt on July 15.
At the event, poems and heroic folk songs were read, and the mehter band performed.
An event was held at the National Will Square in Balıkesir on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. In the program attended by thousands of people, those who were martyred in the coup attempt 10 years ago were commemorated and the victory against the uprising was celebrated.
The event started with a moment of silence for the martyrs and the reading of the National Anthem, and then a video showing the thwarting of the coup attempt was shown.
Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu, in his speech at the ceremony, said that the Turkish nation has stood determinedly against every threat directed at it since history.
Ustaoğlu stated that the night of July 15 was a historical turning point and said:
"The determined leadership and unwavering will of our beloved nation, demonstrated by our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the night of July 15, eliminated the betrayal of our state and became a turning point in which our national character, which has gone through many tests throughout history, was manifested again. That night, our nation showed not only its democracy but also its loyalty to its state, its commitment to its independence and its common will for its future to the whole world.
Balıkesir is one of the most distinguished cities of this national spirit. The torch of independence lit in the Alaca Mosque during the War of Independence, the national will manifested in the Balıkesir Congresses, and this beloved city that pioneered the organization of Kuvayımilliye, showed the whole of Anatolia how to be united when it comes to the homeland. "Today, as yesterday, Balıkesir continues to be one of the strongest symbols of loyalty to the state, loyalty to the national will and love of the homeland."
AK Party Deputy Chairman Belgin Uygur also emphasized that the Turkish people displayed a glorious resistance on July 15.
"Our nation, with the strong stance and leadership of our esteemed President and his call out 'I have never known a power greater than the power of this nation', we set out on this journey wearing our shrouds. In a geography where there are conflicts all around us, Turkey continues to walk the path under the leadership of our esteemed President as the address of peace and trust as an island of stability. It continues to produce services and works for the peace, trust and prosperity of each of our 86 million individuals. My dear brothers, I hope we will achieve both this and this with our experience and acquis." "I hope we will continue to be the prayer and hope of the oppressed people of the region and the world, with God's permission and the strong support of our nation."
Within the scope of the activities organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the "Sancak Run", which is the scene of the flag, which is the symbol of the nation and the state, not falling to the ground during the treacherous coup attempt, was completed in the ceremony area.
The flag carried by successful athletes in their fields was later delivered to Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu.
The athletes who won the sports competitions organized by the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports were given their awards and a fireworks show was held.
The program ended after reading the Holy Quran, poetry recitals, music and sala.
A program was organized by Eskişehir Governorship within the scope of the 10th anniversary of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day in Eskişehir.
Citizens gathered in Vilayet Square with Turkish flags in their hands and listened to the recitation of the Holy Quran for those who lost their lives in the coup attempt.
The program was attended by Eskişehir Governor Erdinç Yılmaz, Combat Air Forces and Garrison Commander General Rafet Dalkıran, TBMM Artificial Intelligence Research Commission Chairman and AK Party Eskişehir Deputy Fatih Dönmez, TBMM National Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Commission Chairman and AK Party Eskişehir Deputy Ayşen Gürcan, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General Erhan Demir, Provincial Police Chief Tolga Yılmaz, AK Party Provincial Chairman Gürhan Albayrak and others. interested parties and citizens attended.
In his speech here, Governor Yılmaz said that July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day is a historical day where the nation showed its will and commitment to democracy to the whole world.
Stating that Democracy and National Unity Day is the night when the nation wrote an epic against the treacherous coup attempt by protecting its glorious flag and homeland, Yılmaz stated that Eskişehir has been one of the symbolic cities of the national struggle throughout history.
Stating that every segment of the nation defended their state, flag and independence on the night of July 15, Yılmaz continued as follows:
"The heroism of Martyr Petty Officer Ömer Halisdemir that left its mark on history, the fearlessness of our citizens lying in front of the tanks, the prayers rising to the sky and the greetings echoing from the minarets have rewritten our nation's defense of the homeland in history in golden letters. Today is the day when we once again shout to the whole world that our glorious crescent and star red flag will fly in the skies forever."
Stating that Eskişehir citizens also took part in the squares on the night of the coup attempt, Yılmaz emphasized that FETO aimed to take over the Republic of Turkey by infiltrating state institutions for years, but failed against the determination of the Turkish nation.
Ayşen Gürcan, Chairman of the National Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and AK Party Eskişehir Deputy, stated that the night of July 15 preserved its place in the nation's memory and said that that night did not remain behind as a calendar page, but was engraved in the common memory of the nation.
Emphasizing that there are stories of unfinished lives and sacrifices behind each of the 253 people who were martyred on July 15 and the 2,737 who became veterans, Gürcan said, "If our children can grow up in peace today, if we can come together freely in these squares, if our flag is flying proudly in the sky, there is that sacrifice behind it, there is that faith behind it, there is that courage behind it." he said.
Stating that Martyr Ömer Halisdemir was one of the heroes who changed the course of the coup attempt, Gürcan said, "He had a very difficult choice in front of him that night, he would either obey the order or return to his homeland. He did not hesitate even for a moment." he said.
AK Party MKYK Member Mürsel Çavdar stated in his speech that they came together on the 10th anniversary of July 15 to commemorate the martyrs and the nation's resistance against the coup attempt.
Çavdar stated that the loud sala sounds, prayers, takbirs and the determination of the citizens who filled the squares on the night of the coup attempt maintain their place in memories and said, "10 years have passed, but the emotions we experienced that night and the epic written by our nation continue to live in our hearts with the liveliness of the first day." he said.
Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Hasan Ünal stated that July 15 was one of the historical turning points where the national will and democracy demonstrated their power.
One of the basic principles of the Republic is "Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation." Reminding that he had a saying, Ünal said, "With the will of our nation on the night of July 15, this word gained meaning once again." he said.
AK Party Eskişehir Provincial Chairman Gürhan Albayrak stated in his speech that FETO attempted a coup by infiltrating state institutions on the night of July 15, 2016.
Stating that FETO exploited religious feelings and used the state's resources against the nation, Albayrak said, "It pointed tanks purchased with the nation's tax at the nation. It bombed our Gazi Parliament with the nation's plane, targeted our security forces. It attempted to assassinate our President." he said.
Stating that the nation took to the streets with its flag, faith and courage against the weapons of the coup plotters, Albayrak said:
"The coup plotters thought they had calculated everything. They thought they could silence the televisions, block the roads, imprison our nation in their homes. But there was something they did not take into account, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's leadership and the independent character of the Turkish nation."
MHP Eskişehir Provincial Chairman Ayhan Sezer said that July 15 was a historical resistance in which the Turkish nation defended its independence, freedom and national will.
BBP Eskişehir Provincial Chairman Taha Baksan stated that the Turkish nation acted in unity and solidarity against FETO's coup attempt on the night of July 15.
During the ceremony, the flag was delivered to Governor Yılmaz by national athletes.
Those who filled the square followed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's speech on the giant screens installed.
The crowd gathered at the Earthquake Monument during the program in the city, walked behind the large Turkish flag carried by the gendarmerie and the Janissary Band and came to the 15 July Democracy and Republic Square.
The program continued with the concert of the Mehter Band in the square, a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's speech was followed on the giant screens installed.
After the recitation of the Quran and prayers, Governor Ahmet Hamdi Usta, in his speech, commemorated the 253 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the homeland, flag, adhan and independence on the night of July 15.
Stating that no focus, tutelage or betrayal network can chain the will of the nation, Usta said, "No power will be able to prevent Türkiye from building its own will and future. Our beloved nation protects its homeland, its flag, its republic and its democracy today, as it did yesterday. As long as the world exists, it will exist with this state and this consciousness, with God's permission. We will forever protect this country, every inch of which is watered with the blood of martyrs and kneaded with the prayers of our nation. Dear "We will always protect the trust of our martyrs and heroic veterans. Because we know that the will is ours, the victory is ours, our unity and solidarity are the strongest guarantee of Türkiye's future. Turkey, walking towards the future with the strength we receive from our past, is taking firm steps towards a stronger future with the common will of our nation." he said.
After the speech, the flag brought to the field by the athletes affiliated with the Provincial Youth and Sports Directorate was delivered to Governor Usta.
The program, where the citizens who filled the area created beautiful images with Turkish flags, ended with the reading of greetings and a concert.