Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) held a commemoration ceremony at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, 10 November 2020 in front of EMU Atatürk Monument on the occasion of the 82nd anniversary of the passing of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Organized by EMU Atatürk Research and Application Center (EMU-ATAUM), the ceremony was attended by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın, Vice Rectors, academic and administrative staff and students.
In scope of the commemoration ceremony program, a wreath was laid on Atatürk’s Monument at 09:00 a.m. by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın. At 09:02 a.m., EMU-ATAUM Chair Assist. Prof. Dr. Turgay Bülent Göktürk read 10 November Statement.
“The Turkish Cypriot Nation Saw Atatürk as a Savior and Proceeded in His Line”
Assist. Prof. Dr. Gokturk’s statement reads as follows: " Great Leader Atatürk, savior of the Turkish nation and founder of the Republic of Turkey, did a great job in his short life of fifty-seven years. The Turkish Cypriot people, an indispensable part of this Nation, saw Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as a savior and acted in line with his teachings. In this context, Ataturk's reforms were adopted simultaneously with the Republic of Turkey, without any force. Together with the free and independent Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which was established 37 years ago, it has shown at every opportunity that it is determined to keep Atatürk's principles and reforms alive forever. He will live forever in the hearts and thoughts of the Turkish Nation with his work that he entrusted upon us and his ideas that we understand more and more every day. With these feelings and thoughts, we commemorate the Great Leader Atatürk with love, respect and longing once again on the 82nd anniversary of his passing, and bow before his high memory.” Assist.Prof. Dr. Göktürk also included in his statement the sentences written by the Mujahids of Cyprus about Atatürk. The ceremony then continued with a moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem singing in unison accompanied by sirens at 09:05 a.m.
“Savior and the Founding Leader of the Turkish Nation”
In his speech, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Aykut Hocanın said “The best way to commemorate Atatürk is to understand and explain him correctly. The importance of 10 of November is significant in terms of correctly understanding Atatürk’s 57-year life, his struggle, what he brought to the Turkish nation and what he wanted to do. In this context, we should explain well what the Kemalist Thought System is to our youth, who are the guarantors of our future. Dear Students; Ataturk entrusted the future to you as the youth, whom he described as “all my hope” and emphasized that standing on the path of enlightenment is to be defeated. There is no rest on the way of independence and civilization. Instead, there is studying and learning, reflecting what you have learned to life, and developing and achieving without leaving the right path. With these feelings, I bow respectfully before the honorable memory of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Great Atatürk, our love, respect and gratitude to you will increase day by day and will continue forever.”
Within the scope of the commemoration program, at 12:00 p.m., EMU-ATAUM President Assist. Prof. Dr. Turgay Bulent Göktürk held an online conference titled “Atatürk in the Turkish and World Press in 1938”
