“Trades of Atatürk in the 21^st Century” themed Conference

European University of Lefke (EUL) Faculty of Arts & Sciences Department of History organized a commemorative ceremony on the occasion of Founder of Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s 80^th death anniversary. Dean of Arts & Sciences Faculty Prof. Dr. Saadettin Yıldız made the opening speech of the program and Academician of Arts & Sciences Faculty Prof. Dr. Oğuz Karakartal made a visual presentation on “Reflection of the National Struggle to the Postcards”. Head of Department of History Assoc. Prof. İhsan Tayhani gave a conference themed “Trades of Atatürk in the 21st Century”.

Yıldız: Atatürk, who led a nation, was a commander who won great victories.

Dean of Arts & Sciences Faculty Prof. Dr. Saadettin Yıldız who made the opening speech at the EUL Conference hall after a minute of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, said that, “We have gathered here today to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the hero who changed the face of Turkey and the Turkish nation’s unforgettable leader. We are here today thanks to the path opened”. Underlining that Ataturk, who led a nation, was a commander who won great victories, Yıldız said that, the values that Atatürk presented to the Turkish Nation must be protected.

Karakartal : There are three reasons why the War of Independence is meant to be expressed in postcards.

Karakartal said that, “I want to touch upon the postcards that I have been collecting for 20 years and  which were printed by Turkish Revolutionaries between the years of 1919 and 1922,” and added that there are three reasons why the War of Independence is meant to be expressed in postcards. Karakartal stated the first of these reasons as; the intention to correct fake news since that there were no possibilities such as TV and Radios to announce the phases of National Struggle, seconds reason as; the intention to inform the public from every phase of the National Struggle and keep their morale high and the third reason as; the intention to give a response to those propaganda cards printed by the British and French.

Tayhani: Atatürk is the only leader who has been kept alive in the nation’s wishful thinking with his ideas after passing away

Tayhani said that, “No doubt that, there are many leaders who has changed the faiths of their countries and played a vital role in the history before passing away. But among these leaders, Atatürk is the only one who has been kept alive in the nation’s wishful thinking this much”. Tayhani stated that Turkish Revolution conducted by Atatürk was established on three important ideas and listed these ideas as; national independence against imperialism, democratic revolution against Sultans, and the transformation to a nation from a religious community. Tayhani also said that, Atatürk is the only leader who has been kept alive in the nation’s wishful thinking with his ideas after passing away.

Pointing out that Atatürk was an intellectual, versatile, and outstanding statesman, Tayhani said that Atatürk was a great revolutionist, thinker who is still seen as an example in the 21^st century. Tayhani said that, “As it is known, the 20^th century was the century of revolutions” and added that Turkish Revolution which was conducted with the leadership of Atatürk was the one of the important revolutions of the 20^th century.