A series of events were organized under the theme “The Name of Victory is Turkey” to mark July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. The event program included a panel discussion titled “The Process Leading Up to July 15 and FETÖ,” a photo exhibition featuring content related to the meaning and importance of the day, and protocol speeches, once again emphasizing the historical and social significance of July 15.
The program, held at the Tarsus University Martyr Engineer Lieutenant Ozan Olgu Köreke Conference Hall, was attended by Tarsus District Governor Mehmet Ali Akyüz, Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Özen, Tarsus District Protocol, academic and administrative staff, and guests, with Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Özen delivering the opening speeches.
In his speech, Rector Özen stated that the Turkish nation has fought for resistance and independence throughout history, saying, "Just as in the Battle of Çanakkale and the War of Independence, our nation stood as one heart and one soul on the night of July 15, demonstrating that the Turkish Nation will not allow its will, homeland, or state to be trampled upon, nor will it surrender to enemies or traitors.”
Emphasizing the importance of the national will that emerged strongly once again on the night of July 15, Prof. Dr. Özen said, "Our beloved nation, just as Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk declared to the whole world in the Amasya General Directive, ‘The nation's independence will be saved by the nation's determination and decision,’ stood united against this treason with all its segments; once again, at the cost of their lives, defended their faith, their country, their state, their democracy, their future, and their sovereignty.” Rector Özen noted that July 15 is not only an unforgettable example of resistance for Turkey but also for the history of democracy worldwide, concluding his speech with the words, “We remember our beloved martyrs with mercy and our heroic veterans with gratitude; I once again salute the fortitude and wisdom of our nation with respect.”
The event program, themed “The Name of Victory is Turkey,” continued with the screening of the TRT documentary “The Anatomy of July 15: From Invasion Attempt to Resurrection.” This was followed by a short video presentation of the poem “30 Birds,” written by artist Dursun Ali Erzincanlı in memory of soldier Ömer Halisdemir, who was martyred on the night of July 15, and a visit to the exhibition.
The final part of the program was an online panel discussion on “The Process Leading Up to July 15 and FETÖ.” The panel was moderated by Prof. Dr. Bülent Şen, a faculty member at Tarsus University's Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, while Prof. Dr. Hacı Mustafa Eravcı, a faculty member at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University's Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, participated in the panel as a guest speaker. Prof. Dr. Eravcı provided academic and historical assessments on the formation of FETÖ, its infiltration into the social structure, and how it led to July 15.