As part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day commemoration events organised by the Directorate of Communications, the “Silent Witness Installation,” which remained open to visitors throughout the day at designated locations, primarily Taksim Square—one of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks—attracted significant public interest.
Thousands of citizens visited the installation throughout the day, which was created to preserve the memory of our revered martyrs who sacrificed their lives while resisting the coup attempt. Visitors laid carnations in memory of the martyrs, offered prayers, and observed a moment of silence.
The personal belongings of our heroes who embraced martyrdom in defence of the homeland, displayed at the installation, deeply moved visitors and evoked poignant emotions.
The “Message to Our Martyrs Experience Area", created as part of the installation, also drew considerable interest from visitors.
Through interactive touchscreens, visitors wrote messages expressing their thoughts, feelings, and prayers for our revered martyrs, contributing meaningful entries to a shared digital archive of remembrance. Throughout the day, hundreds of messages were shared in the experience area, where gratitude for the martyrs, love of the homeland, and the spirit of national unity were powerfully reflected.
Throughout the programme, interviews were conducted with citizens visiting the installation to gather their thoughts and reflections on 15 July.
Participants emphasised that the events of 15 July must never be forgotten and should be accurately passed on to future generations, noting that the installation serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made on that night.
The strong interest shown by young visitors, in particular, once again underscored the importance of efforts to preserve the nation's collective memory.
The awareness-raising projects and commemoration programmes organised under the motto “Victory of Democracy” continued throughout the day with the participation of citizens of all ages, keeping the spirit of 15 July alive in Taksim Square.
Midnight salahs to mark the conclusion of the commemorations
The commemorative events, symbolising the emergence of light from the darkness of the night when the nation stood in defence of its will and democracy, will culminate in a profound spiritual atmosphere. All programmes held throughout the day as part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day commemorations will conclude with the salahs recited from minarets at 00:13, one of the defining moments of the coup attempt.
