Speaking at the “The Victory of Manzikert on Its 955th Anniversary" panel organised by the Directorate of Communications, Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran stated that they had gathered to commemorate the 955th anniversary of the Victory of Manzikert, one of the most significant turning points in Turkish history that opened the gates to Anatolia, and to keep its memory alive.
Noting that the Directorate of Communications had sought to commemorate the anniversary of this blessed and auspicious victory with a meaningful work, Duran stated that they had presented to the public the book “The Manzikert Victory: Turkish Prowess in Warfare and Artistic Aesthetics".
Head of Communications remembered Sultan Alp Arslan, the great commander of the blessed victory, as well as all the revered martyrs and veterans who made these lands their home, with mercy and gratitude.
Head of Communications Duran emphasised that historical consciousness represents a tremendous memory embodying a nation’s character, direction and lofty values, saying:
"This consciousness is the manifestation of a nation's unity and blessed march spanning over millennia. When viewed and comprehended from today's perspective, the Victory of Manzikert represents a pivotal moment in the Turks' millennia-long historical course in Anatolia, establishing these lands as our homeland to this day. Indeed, in his masterpiece 'Süleymaniye'de Bayram Sabahı (Eid Morning at Süleymaniye)', Yahya Kemal describes this centuries-long march through the countenance of an unknown soldier as follows: 'How pure was the face of this faithful soldier! Who was he? Was he the patron of this remarkable work? Is he its architect? A son of the Turks marching from the plain of Manzikert. Was he the soldier? Deeply moved, his eyes were filled with tears..." Manzikert is indeed the magnificent beginning of this blessed march in Anatolia. Won on 26 August 1071, this victory opened the gates of Anatolia not only to a vision of civilisation but also to a tradition of statehood and a deeply rooted culture. In the aftermath of Manzikert, Anatolia ceased to be merely a land that was populated and was transformed into the homeland of a great civilisation, shaped by knowledge, wisdom, justice, a rich tradition of charitable endowments, its cities and its enduring works. Indeed, the purpose of today's panel is to understand Manzikert through this lens, as a part of our cultural heritage."
The Great Offensive
Duran recalled that this historical consciousness, shaped by a tremendous memory, has been the greatest force sustaining the nation from the Seljuk State and the Ottoman Empire through the founding of the Republic and into the Century of Türkiye.
Noting that they had come together today in the spirit of this shared consciousness, Head of Communications Duran said:
"This invisible bond that unites Anatolia from end to end is one of the pillars upon which our common roof rests. The spirit of unity embodied in Sultan Alp Arslan's army 955 years ago is the same spirit that, centuries later, precisely 104 years ago, upheld our ancestors' sacred legacy during the Battle of the Great Offensive. As our President emphasised yesterday at the Victory of Manzikert Commemoration Events, 'We are a nation that, exactly 850 years after making this blessed homeland our eternal home at Manzikert, defended it against the invaders at the cost of our lives; a nation that fought and sacrificed for this cause, and one deeply devoted to its independence.' On the 104th anniversary of the Victory of the Great Offensive, I commemorate with mercy our revered martyrs and veterans, foremost among them Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who once again made this land our homeland, and I extend my congratulations in advance on our 30 August Victory Day.
"The Republic of Türkiye is the deepest-rooted representative of historical continuity."
Head of Communications Duran stated that in order to continue living freely on these lands, it is essential to embrace a strong sense of history and unity.
Emphasising that Manzikert has placed great responsibilities on the Turkish nation, which it must carry on its shoulders until the end of time, Duran added:
"Our first and foremost responsibility is to preserve indefinitely the spirit embodied there. Understanding Manzikert means recognising the obligation to preserve our unity, solidarity, common goals and consciousness of being a nation. Although nearly a thousand years have passed, these values must continue to circulate today through the capillaries of the Century of Türkiye. The Republic of Türkiye is the deepest-rooted representative of this historical continuity. As our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated, 'The Republic of Türkiye is not the first state we have established on these lands, but the last.' Today, our country is striving to cement its national unity in order to continue this historic march."
Terror-Free Türkiye and a Terror-Free Region initiative
Head of Communications Duran stated that Türkiye has for many years struggled with problems caused directly or indirectly by terrorism and has paid a heavy price in this struggle.
Emphasising that Türkiye, under the strong leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is taking resolute steps to address this issue at its root and fully eradicate terrorism from the country and the region, Head of Communications Duran said:
"Guided by this understanding, the Terror-Free Türkiye, Terror-Free Region initiative has, in a sense, been given tangible form through the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. Going forward, this endeavour will continue to advance with the support of our society and, Allah willing, will be brought to fruition. A key pillar of the resolve to eradicate terrorism will be our sense of national unity, which binds the people of Anatolia together through a shared homeland, a common destiny and a collective will to coexist. Türkiye’s progress towards achieving the goals of the Century of Türkiye will continue despite increasing global uncertainties and efforts to undermine stability in our region. Any direct or indirect threat, insinuation or rhetoric targeting the legitimate presence of our nation in these lands is deemed null and void by the Republic of Türkiye. Those who have plunged the region into instability, disregarded international law and brought upon themselves the condemnation of the world through attacks targeting civilians will, of course, never be able to halt Türkiye’s onward course."
Developments in Syria
Pointing out that they seek the success of the Terror-Free Türkiye initiative as part of a broader vision for a Terror-Free Region, Head of Communications Duran stated:
"The positive developments in Syria are a significant step towards Türkiye’s goal of a Terror-Free Region. Türkiye prioritises stability, peace, prosperity and economic cooperation in the region. It stands firmly against aggression and expansionism. No such forces will be able to stand in the way of our efforts to uphold peace, cooperation, justice and stability. As the Republic of Türkiye, from Syria to Iraq, from Lebanon to Palestine, from the Gulf to Africa, and from the Balkans to the Caucasus, we say, 'history has made us brothers and sisters,' across the entirety of our shared cultural and spiritual geography. These were the words our President following the latest Cabinet meeting. This is precisely why we are striving to uphold the politics of brotherhood as indicated by our President. We are committed to this cause. No one should seek to launch attacks against our country by misinterpreting historical facts or geopolitical realities. Türkiye has the strength to confront all such challenges. Türkiye is a powerful state, and whatever is necessary will be done and is being done."
Disinformation and misinformation
Head of Communications Duran noted that intensifying international competition is no longer confined to the military, economic or diplomatic spheres.
Underscoring that the communications sphere has emerged as a key front in this competition where disinformation and misinformation rank among the most serious threats, Head of Communications Duran stated that one of the foremost responsibilities of today’s communicators, historians, academics and public officials is to prevent history from being lost in algorithms.
Pointing to new cultural productions and the creation of works that uphold our historical heritage as the way forward, Head of Communications Duran cited the book "The Victory of Manzikert: Turkish Prowess in Warfare and Artistic Aesthetics" as a case in point.
"Türkiye confidently preparing for the decades to come"
Head of Communications Duran noted that Türkiye should harness a 360-degree communication approach and strategic communications capabilities to play a more prominent role in public diplomacy, adding:
Advocating for the truth and fostering historical consciousness are principles that must be closely aligned. As the Directorate of Communications, this is what we strive to achieve together. Because while accurate information is essential, communicating the truths of history and raising our young people with this sense of social cohesion are equally indispensable to our survival as a nation. The publications we have produced, the programmes we have organised and the panel we are holding today, all guided by this understanding, are not merely intended to commemorate the past. We also aim to examine our history from a scholarly perspective, ensuring that younger generations gain a sound understanding of their civilisational heritage through reliable sources. The spirit of unity forged at Manzikert in 1071 continues to constitute the very essence of this nation today. So long as this spirit of unity lives on, those plotting over Anatolia and seeking to cast a shadow over our nation’s existence will never succeed in their aims. Türkiye is a united whole in its ethnic, sectarian, and religious diversity, and the Republic of Türkiye is confidently preparing for the decades to come as the finest embodiment of peaceful coexistence. Undeterred by those in our region who seek aggression and expansionism, Türkiye remains steadfast in upholding stability, peace, security and regional ownership as its guiding principles and wages a struggle to achieve this. As long as we act with the national consciousness instilled in us by the spirit of Manzikert in 1071, no obstacle will stand in our way, and our President’s vision for the Century of Türkiye will be successfully realised. We will leave behind a brighter Türkiye for future generations."
Head of Communications Duran said in a post on his NSosyal account that they had held the “Victory of Manzikert on its 955th Anniversary” panel and launched the book "The Victory of Manzikert: Turkish Prowess in Warfare and Artistic Aesthetics," expressing his gratitude to the academics, panellists and all colleagues who contributed to the programme.
