The 78th anniversary of Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s death was commemorated at EMU on the 10th of November 2016 through various activities. The first ceremony commemorating Atatürk took place with the participation of staff members and students at EMU Atatürk Monument at 8:45 a.m. Following the national songs and Atatürk’s 10th Year Speech, EMU Atatürk Application and Research Center chair, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu read a 10th of November Declaration about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
In his address, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu commemorated Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the 78th anniversary of his passing and stated that the great Turkish leader will live forever with his principles and revolutions. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cicioğlu went on to state that the TRNC community uses Atatürk’s words “Freedom and independence is my character” as a guide.
The ceremony continued with the national anthem and a moment of silence after a wreath was laid on Atatürk’s monument by EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam. In his speech, Prof. Dr. Osam noted that Atatürk is being commemorated with great love and that on the 78th anniversary of his passing he is greatly missed. Prof. Dr. Osam also stated that the meaning of Atatürk’s words is being felt more and more everyday and that we will continue to walk down the path shown to us by Atatürk.
The ceremony came to an end after the Atatürk music resital from EMU Education Faculty, Fine Arts Education Department, Music Teaching Program students.
Panel and Documentary Screening
On the same day at 10:30 a.m., a panel took place at EMU Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall. During the panel, EMU Atatürk Application and Research Center chair Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasan Cicioğlu delivered a speech entitled “Atatürk’s Will” and EMU Atatürk Application and Research Center board member and Faculty of Law academician Prof. Dr. Turgut Turhan talked about “Atatürk’s Thoughts of Death”. Following the aforesaid speakers, Atatürk Application and Research Center academician Dr. Turgay Bülent Göktürk delivered a speech entitled “Understanding Mustafa Kemal” and EMU Atatürk Ideology Club chair Çağatay Kır spoke about “Atatürk and Youth”. At the end of the panel, a documentary screening took place.
