GREAT LEADER ATATURK COMMEMORATED AT IUE
Assoc. Prof. Aslı Ceylan Öner, Head of IUE Department of Architecture, Kaan Günay, Student Council President, and Alara Tun, Member of the Executive Board of Kemalist Thought Club, delivered a speech at the ceremony on campus where IZTO Council Members, IUE faculty and staff, and students attended. The ceremony started with laying a wreath at Ataturk Monument, and as the sirens were heard, the attendants observed a moment of silence, which was followed by singing of the National Anthem. President Mahmut Özgener, who addressed the crowd, said, “We are gathered here today for commemoration which would not be enough even if it were repeated until eternity.” Özgener pointed that the physical loss of Ataturk was still felt so deeply, and said, “We all know that Ataturk left us a legacy that went beyond years, centuries, his very own physical being. The ceremony we are holding here today gives all of us a chance to think, to remember. We are thinking about him together, that painful one minute in particular when we observe silence.”
“YOU DO NOT THINK ABOUT PETTY THINGS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT ATATURK”
Özgener underlined that thinking about Ataturk, trying to understand his accomplishments, his revolutions was an irreplaceable guide for future. “You have all noticed that when you think about Ataturk, you do not think about a human being only. Nothing ever petty comes into mind when you think about Ataturk. Only the great hopes, dreams, and the unique vision he created for this country comes into mind when you think about him. Also comes into your mind is wisdom, a great leader who never thought about giving up even in the toughest times. When you think about Ataturk even for a second, you feel the courage within yourself. You can understand what you should be doing for this country, for humanity by commemorating him,” said President Özgener.
“DO NOT THINK ABOUT HIS VISION ON COMEMORATION DAYS ONLY”
Özgener reminded about the Economic Congress in Izmir where Ataturk said, “Economy means everything. It is everything that is necessary to live, to be happy, for a human existence. It means agriculture, it means, trade, it means labor, it means everything.” President Özgener finished his speech by saying, “Of course it is not possible to summarize the lessons we need to take from his life, his speeches, writings, life style, and his approaches to different facts with a short speech here. My only wish today from everyone here is not to think about his existence and vision on specific commemoration days only. Keep him in your heart and in your mind every day.”
After the ceremony, President Özgener presented young attendees the Nutuk (Ataturk’s Speech) published by IZTO for children specifically.
