The "15 July Living Memory Center", prepared under the coordination of the Presidential Directorate of Communications, was opened with a ceremony in Manisa. The center, which will be open to visitors for three days, will make visitors relive the night of July 15 with its virtual reality applications and interactive areas.
The opening ceremony held at the Fatih Exhibition Hall was attended by Manisa Governor Vahdettin Özkan, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Nature Conservation and National Parks 4th Regional Director Kerim Gençoğlu, Presidential Communications Directorate Izmir Regional Director Cengiz Kutlu Yüksel, Chief Public Prosecutor Kurtca Eker, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General İlhan Şen, Manisa Celal Bayar University Rector Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar, Provincial Police Chief Adnan Karayel, Deputy Governor Dr. Mustafa Harputlu, Provincial Mufti Şükrü Kabukçu, representatives of public institutions and organizations, non-governmental organizations, members of the press and many citizens attended.
After a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, a prayer was made by Provincial Mufti Şükrü Kabukçu. Later, the opening ribbon was cut by the protocol members and the center was put into service. After the opening, protocol members and guests visited the experience areas in the center and examined the contents describing the night of July 15.
Speaking at the ceremony, Manisa Governor Vahdettin Özkan stated that July 15 was a historical turning point in which the nation claimed democracy, independence and statehood, and said, "The July 15 Living Memory Center will be an important education and awareness center that will keep the national memory alive, strengthen the national consciousness and pass it on to future generations."
Emphasizing that the night of July 15, 2016 was not only a coup attempt against the constitutional order, but also a multifaceted betrayal targeting the will of the nation, the survival and independence of the state, Özkan stated that that night turned into a victory of democracy with the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the determined stance of the state and the will of the nation.
Governor Özkan stated that the Memory Area, Will Area, Martyrs' Corner and Victory Area created in the center will make visitors feel the spirit of July 15, and noted that the center will undertake an important function, especially in terms of young people learning recent history from accurate sources and strengthening the awareness of national will.
"The Will is Ours, the Victory is Ours!" The center, prepared with the theme, includes photo panels, digital displays, video content, virtual reality (VR) applications and interactive experience areas. While visitors re-experience the night of July 15 in chronological order in the Memory Area, the nation's determined stance against the coup attempt is conveyed in the Will Area.
While the cherished memory of the July 15 martyrs is kept alive with special visuals and video screenings in the Martyrs' Corner, the historical victory of the nation by protecting democracy and Türkiye's strong future vision are presented to visitors in the Victory Area.
Visitors, who can write their feelings and thoughts in the memory book located in the exit section, also have the opportunity to contribute to the collective memory. The "15 July Living Memory Center", which includes content prepared by the Presidency Directorate of Communications, will be open to visitors from Manisa between 14-16 July 2026. - MANISA