On the 10th Anniversary of July 15, YTB Brought Youth Together at Democracy and Freedoms Island

Within the framework of the “July 15 Democracy Journey: Cities and Traces” program organized by YTB between July 14 and 18, international students studying in Türkiye, youth from related communities, and young Turkish citizens living abroad found the opportunity to experience the meaning and importance of July 15 on-site.

​YTB President Abdulhadi Turus and approximately 140 young people attended the event held at Democracy and Freedoms Island, one of the important stops of the program. Participants had the opportunity to closely examine the international reflections of the coup attempt by visiting the “Cities and Traces” photography exhibition, which reflects the July 15 protests organized abroad and in related geographies through the lenses of Anadolu Agency photojournalists.

​Speaking at the opening of the program, YTB President Abdulhadi Turus stated that the Presidency carries out activities directed at more than 8 million Turkish citizens living abroad, related communities, and international students.

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Emphasizing that Türkiye possesses a strong democratic tradition, Turus expressed that on the night of July 15, the nation put forth a great sacrifice to protect democracy.

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Making the assessment, “July 15 was not only a coup attempt tried to be carried out within the borders of Türkiye, but also a systematic attempt targeting Türkiye’s arguments in the international arena,” Turus wished God's mercy upon the martyrs and a healthy and fruitful life to the veterans.

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Following the opening speech, a panel titled “For the Sake of a Crescent: July 15 on its 10th Anniversary” was held under the moderation of journalist and television presenter İsmail Halis. In the panel, security policies expert and author Mete Yarar, journalist-author Nedim Şener, and journalist and columnist Merve Şebnem Oruç evaluated different dimensions of July 15.

​Within the scope of the program continuing between July 14 and 18, participants find the opportunity to closely get to know Türkiye’s struggle for democracy by visiting venues that hold an important place in the memory of July 15, particularly the Presidential Complex.

​The program concluded with a souvenir photo taken at Democracy and Freedoms Island.