Presidency's Head of Communications, Burhanettin Duran, stated that as we mark the 10th anniversary of July 15, media and academia have significant responsibilities to strengthen the collective memory and accurately convey Türkiye’s victory for democracy to the public.
Head of Communications Duran shared the strategic roadmap for the commemorative events to be held at home and abroad as part of the 10th anniversary of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day with Ankara-based media representatives.
At a meeting held at the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, Head of Communications Duran announced that the main theme of the commemorative events marking the 10th anniversary of the thwarting of the treacherous coup attempt of 15 July by the will of the nation has been designated as “Will of the Nation, Victory of Democracy”.
Head of Communications Duran said that the treacherous coup attempt of 15 July was thwarted under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, through the sacrifice and heroism of the nation, the army, and the security forces. Emphasising that the Turkish nation demonstrated a form of civilian resistance rarely seen in history, Head of Communications Duran said, “We regard 15 July as our nation's resistance, heroism, and victory.”
The theme: “Will of the Nation, Victory of Democracy”
The theme “Will of the Nation, Victory of Democracy” seeks to highlight the spirit of unity and solidarity, the steadfast stance, and the nation's determination to defend the national will, as demonstrated on the night of 15 July. Turning to the first part of the theme, Head of Communications Duran stated that the phrase “Will of the Nation” emphasises the nation's determination to uphold its right to determine its future, its choices, and its independence. Head of Communications Duran stated that the will expresses a state of consciousness, adding that it was with precisely this awareness that the nation acted on the night of 15 July and stopped the treacherous network. Turning to the second part of the theme, “Victory of Democracy", Head of Communications Duran stated that it represents the outcome of the resolve for struggle demonstrated through unity and solidarity. He noted that the victory of 15 July stands as a testament to Türkiye’s determination to build its future through its own will and has become one of the most important founding elements of the country’s collective memory.
Three manifestations of will embodying the spirit of 15 July
The 360-degree integrated communication strategy, coordinated by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, places particular emphasis on three manifestations of will embodied in the spirit of 15 July. Stressing that this will manifested itself on three distinct levels on the night of 15 July, Head of Communications Duran identified these as President Erdoğan's leadership will, which initiated and sustained the resistance by calling the nation to the streets; the will of the nation, which responded to that call without hesitation and took to the streets; and the will of the state, which, through all its institutions and organisations, stood to defend democracy.
The tenth anniversary marks a critical milestone
The ten years since FETÖ's treacherous coup attempt are regarded not merely as a period of remembering the past, but as a critical milestone in which the significance of 15 July has deepened, become firmly established in the nation's collective memory, and reached a new stage in being passed on to future generations. Head of Communications Duran said that they regard the commemorative events as an important opportunity to refresh the national memory, strengthen societal resilience, and accurately convey Türkiye's democratic resilience to both national and international audiences.
Thousands of different events in 81 provinces and foreign missions
Thousands of different commemorative events will be held in Türkiye’s 81 provinces and at strategic centres abroad as part of the 10th anniversary commemorations, which will be organised under the coordination of the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications. Head of Communications Duran stated that they have prepared a comprehensive communication strategy encompassing digital platforms, the media, and science and academia to commemorate, explain, and pass on the 15 July struggle to future generations.
Head of Communications Duran noted that the “15 July Democracy and National Unity Day Commemoration Tents” project will be implemented in all 81 provinces. Head of Communications Duran stated that Commemoration Tents to be set up in city squares, Nation's Gardens, and areas with intense pedestrian traffic are designed as “living memory centres", which will feature video screenings, informational brochures, digital screens, projection systems, QR code applications, and interactive information panels.
Noting that visitors, especially children and young people, will actively participate in the commemoration process by writing their feelings and thoughts in memorial books, Head of Communications Duran said that vigils will be held in all 81 provinces, banner marches will be organised, and commemoration activities will be carried out across a wide range, from concerts and theatre performances to sports events and tree planting.
Programmes in Ankara and İstanbul form the focal points of the commemorative events
Saying that a commemorative programme will be held in Ankara at the Capital Nation's Garden with the participation of thousands of people, Head of Communications Duran noted that a commemorative ceremony, digital exhibition, and mapping show will take place at the Grand National Assembly. In İstanbul, a Quran completion prayer programme will be held at Hagia Sophia with the participation of 253 Quran reciters, Head of Communications Duran said, adding that among the İstanbul events, a 253-vessel maritime procession, a 400-vehicle taxi procession, and drone and light shows stand out.
3D mapping, drone shows, and the “Silent Witness” installation
Head of Communications Duran announced that one of the events planned for the 10th anniversary of 15 July will feature 3D mapping and drone shows. Stating that 15 July themed projection mapping and illuminated choreography shows will be presented on landmark structures in different provinces, Head of Communications Duran said that a synchronised illuminated drone show will be held over the İstanbul Strait. Head of Communications Duran said that 3D mapping shows will be held at the Galata Tower and the Maiden’s Tower and stated that the “Silent Witness” installation to be implemented in Üsküdar will be a simple yet striking memory space. It was noted that a symbolic commemorative area consisting of 253 Turkish flags, representing 253 martyrs, will be established.
National Memory Project
Head of Communications Duran said that one of the programmes that has impressed him most among the 10th anniversary events for 15 July was the National Memory Project. Stating that the project is organised under the motto “We carry the spirit of 15 July into the future!”, Head of Communications Duran said that the project, which will feature original ideas and works that will strengthen social memory, is open to contributions from public institutions as well as private organisations, companies, and individuals.
Head of Communications Duran announced that a total of 258 applications had been submitted to the project, 205 of them this month, and that following reviews, 131 of these projects were taken into consideration. Noting that 120 applications in the 18–35 age range showed that young people have taken ownership of the 15 July victory, Head of Communications Duran said that public institutions’ projects are being closely monitored through the Project Tracking System and that, as of 26 June 2026, the number of projects entered into the system had reached 3,198.
International programmes and academia
Head of Communications Duran stated that another aspect of the 15 July events is to make 15 July a subject of academic study, adding that it is of critical importance to analyse the source, structure, and international networks of the threat with scientific and academic rigour.
Announcing that a panel titled “Coups and Democracy in Türkiye” will be organised in cooperation with Ankara University for this purpose, Head of Communications Duran said that the panel proceedings, which will focus on Türkiye’s experience of democracy, will be compiled into a book.
Head of Communications Duran stated that panels will also be organised abroad, noting that Berlin, Tirana, Brussels, Sarajevo, Jakarta, Pretoria, The Hague, Bern, and Abuja are among the cities where the panels will be held. Head of Communications Duran stated that these panels would bring the truth about 15 July, its connection to democracy, FETO’s international terrorist network, and Türkiye’s experience of democratic resilience to the attention of the international public, and noted that a press tour attended by members of the international media would also be organised.
Media, publication, and content projects
Head of Communications Duran said that an extensive body of publications has been prepared for the 10th anniversary of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. Head of Communications Duran stated that the public broadcaster TRT has prepared the series ‘Asırlık Gece' (Century-Long Night) and the television film ‘Memleket Tamircisi’ (Mechanic of the Homeland), as well as 19 documentaries — 13 national and 6 international. Duran noted that these documentaries cover the coup in detail, ranging from FETO’s financial network to the helicopter that fled to Greece. Head of Communications Duran stated that the video titled 'O Gece' (That Night), which blends moments of resistance with Türkiye's visionary achievements over the past decade, is a cinematic work that will raise strong awareness among viewers.
Noting that the Directorate of Communications prepared two books to mark the 10th anniversary of 15 July, Head of Communications Duran noted that the work entitled ‘The Epic of 15 July on its 10th Anniversary: Memory, Resistance, and the Future’ aimed to keep alive the nation’s epic resistance, its sense of memory, and its vision for the future. Head of Communications Duran said that the book titled 'No Power Greater than the Power of the People: The 15 July Coup Attempt and the Nation’s Victory' also documents the Turkish nation’s defence of democracy and its will.
Head of Communications Duran stated that the 15 July Almanac, produced in collaboration with the Anadolu Agency, serves as a permanent reference providing a data-driven analysis of the institutional reforms implemented over the past decade. Head of Communications Duran also stated that the Anadolu Agency had launched a number of projects, including a book titled ‘15 July: Witnesses to That Night – Photographs – Documents – Confessions’ and the ‘ByLock Mini-Documentary’.
Memories of 15 July
Head of Communications Duran said that the 10th-anniversary badge, inspired by the endemic ‘flower of love’ from Gölbaşı, Ankara, the commemorative coin to be minted by the State Mint, and the special 106th-anniversary stamp designed by the Anadolu Agency are commemorative items that will carry the spirit of the 15 July resistance into the future. Noting that all the events organised as part of a 360-degree integrated communications strategy to pay fitting tribute to the epic resistance and victory demonstrated by our beloved nation on 15 July, Head of Communications Duran stated, “We will not forget 15 July, nor will we allow it to be forgotten.”
Emphasising that they would tell children and young people about July 15, as well as the sacrifices and heroism of veterans and martyrs, Head of Communications Duran stated that they would ensure that a strong and unshakeable bond is forged with the nation’s collective memory. Duran expressed gratitude to the noble Turkish nation, which stood up for its will, homeland, and state at the cost of their lives that night; commemorated the martyrs with mercy; and wished the veterans good health and well-being.