Following is the message President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued on the occasion of May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day:
“Dear youth, our light, hope and future…
Today, I see in your eyes, too, the spirit, excitement and enthusiasm, which emerged when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk arrived in Samsun on May 19, spread across our homeland from Amasya, Erzurum and Sivas, and carried the War of Independence to success.
May 19, the beginning of our march towards an independent and prosperous future, was the day when our august nation declared to the entire world that it would neither abandon its freedom nor go under the tutelage of anyone under any circumstances, and that it would unconditionally protect its free will.
Our august nation, which was sought to be buried in history throughout our struggle for the future, coped with any kind of difficulties and eliminated at the cost of their lives the threats posed to our homeland and flag on the path that they marched with determination, courage and faith.
Dear august Turkish youth, the guarantee of our freedom, sovereignty and our Republic…
Today, while we work to leave a brighter, more hopeful and more peaceful future to you, we expect that you embrace the love of our homeland, flag and freedom, entrusted to us by our gallant ancestors, and hand down these noble values to the next generations.
You, our youth, who carry the torch lit in Samsun with the same determination and pride today as well, are the greatest guarantee of the progress, development and growth of the Republic of Turkey.
It is of crucial importance in terms of our future that you grow up in a manner that lets you adhere to your national values, remain at peace with universal values and look to the future with confidence, and that you understand and embrace the spirit of May 19 and duly assume its responsibility.
I expect great successes from you and trust in you. I wholeheartedly believe that you will work hard with the awareness of the great responsibility you have assumed and that you will protect our Republic with resolution.
With these thoughts in mind, I congratulate our youth and august nation on May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. I once again commemorate with respect all the heroes ─ first and foremost Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ─ of our War of Independence.”