19 May enthusiasm overflowed to the streets of Büyükçekmece

The 102nd anniversary of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s arrival in Samsun to start the War of Independence was celebrated in Büyükçekmece with great enthusiasm and excitement.

The 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day was celebrated with limited activities under the Covid-19 measures. Colorful images emerged during the activities in Büyükçekmece. 

Great interest was shown towards the National Struggle Convoy

The 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in Büyükçekmece started with the Büyükçekmece youth’s placing wreath on the Atatürk Monument. After the national anthem and a minute of silence, “19 May National Struggle Convoy” has started. The convoy traveled all around the 24 districts of the Büyükçekmece. Büyükçekmece Mayor Dr. Hasan Akgün, along with the Büyükçekmece youth, celebrated the 19 May of the Büyükçekmece citizens on the top of the open-top bus. The citizens participated in the celebrations by waving their flags from their balconies and the windows. Great interest and enthusiasm were shown towards the National Struggle Convoy. 

CHP Büyükçekmece District President Hüseyin Remzi Gökbulak, İYİ Parti Büyükçekmece District President Burhan Karatosun and Büyükçekmece Municipal Council Members have attended the activities. 

“19 May was the beginning of the great legend”

Noting that 19 May has great importance in the Turkish nation’s history, Büyükçekmece Mayor Dr. Hasan Akgün stated that: “Our country was under full occupation. The year was 19 May 1919. Mustafa Kemal, the country's savior and who will be named Atatürk in the future, landed in Samsun. The goal was to start a revolt against the enemy by the people of Anatolia and to fight against them on all fronts to start the Independence war. And it succeeded. As a result, on 30 August 1922, the enemy was completely expelled from our country. 19 May was the beginning of this great legend. 19 May, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day is one of our biggest holidays in this sense. As it is the beginning of our salvation. Happy 19 May to all our nation and the Turkish youth.”