The “Memory and Remembrance: 15 July Photo Exhibition,” prepared by the Directorate of Communications and the July 15 Association, opened at Esenboğa Airport.
The exhibition curated to mark the 10th anniversary of the 15 July epic within the scope of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day features photographs taken from Kızılay Square, the Ankara Provincial Police Department, the Gendarmerie General Command, the General Staff, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, the Presidential Complex, and various locations on the day of the coup attempt and in the aftermath.
Prepared under the theme ‘Will of the Nation, Victory of Democracy,’ the exhibition seeks to pass down to future generations, through photographs, the happenings of 15 July, the sacrifice borne by the Nation, and the struggle to uphold democracy”
The exhibition will welcome visitors today at the airports of Esenboğa, İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen, İzmir Adnan Menderes, Antalya, and Gaziantep.
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Directorate of Communications Digital Media Coordinator Aslan Değirmenci said that the purpose of the exhibition was not only to keep memories and recollections alive, but also to show local and foreign guests arriving at airports the resistance that took place.
Emphasising that 15 July was a defence of the homeland and the country, Değirmenci said, “It is the glorious victory of those who kept the banner aloft." That day, our heroes stood before those who tried to write history with their bare hands, with their bloodstained hands, and wrote a new history. Today, our duty is to safeguard that history.”
“Every photograph in the exhibition is a silent but powerful witness of that spirit”
Akın Bayram, Vice President of the 15 July Association, also stated that they were not merely opening a photo exhibition today but were gathered to keep the memory of a nation alive, to remember an epic anew, and to entrust it to future generations.
Reminding that millions took to the squares upon President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call on the night of the coup attempt, Bayram continued his remarks as follows:
“Men and women, young and old, soldiers, police officers, security personnel—everyone stood shoulder to shoulder in the struggle but did not allow the traitors to pass. That night, some protected this homeland with their flag, some with their prayers, some with their lives. Because the homeland was at stake, Türkiye was at stake. “Every photograph in the exhibition is a silent but powerful witness of that spirit” Each frame reminds us of a truth. That truth is that the greatest strength of being a nation is being able to stand shoulder to shoulder in difficult times.”
15 July veteran Adnan Odabaşı also stated that the coup attempt was thwarted thanks to the public responding to President Erdoğan’s call, saying, “Here, some lives were lost, some people became martyrs, some became veterans, but all the citizens of our country were in the squares. It does not matter that nothing struck them; all our people became veterans on that day.”
The opening of the exhibition, which will remain open throughout the week, was attended by TAV Ankara General Manager Nuray Demirer, Pursaklar District Governor Üzeyir Aziz Özeren, association representatives, and citizens.
