As a significant tribute from our great leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, to the Turkish Youth, May 19, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, was marked with a ceremonial event, meticulously organized by students and educators at the Darüşşafaka Ayhan Şahenk Sports Hall.
Zekeriya Yıldırım, Former Chairman of the Board of Directors and Member of the High Advisory Board of the Darüşşafaka Society, Erman Süsler and Eşref Biryıldız, Vice Chairpersons, Prof. Dr. Esra Ekmekci Çalıcıoğlu and Ulaş Çavdar, Board Members, Ebru Arpacı, General Manager for Darüşşafaka Schools, and Merve Kalyoncu, Chairperson of the Darüşşafaka Alumni Association, and donors, living in the Darüşşafaka residences, parents, students, and teachers attended this ceremony that was organized with great devotion.
The ceremony, moderated by Ecrin and Burhan from Darüşşafaka High School, commenced with a torch procession accompanied by the trophies awarded to sports teams that have achieved significant success across districts, provinces, and Türkiye during the academic year 2024-2025, followed by a moment of silence, after which all attendees joined in singing the Turkish National Anthem.
“May 19, 1919, marks the thrilling moment when the heartbeat of a fully independent Turkish Republic first echoed through history.”
Ebru Arpacı, General Manager of Darüşşafaka Schools, commenced her keynote address by framing the history of Darüşşafaka in relation to the broader narrative of the Republic’s history, identifying May 19 as a crucial turning point in the revival of the Turkish nation, underscoring its resurgence, characterized by both glory and honor, as it reclaimed its place on the historical stage under the exceptional leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Additionally, she eloquently conveyed the significant meaning of this day through her thoughtful remarks:
“While Türkiye is undergoing significant growth, Darüşşafaka emerges at every juncture where the national flag is elevated. Excelling in robotics, artificial intelligence, and technological initiatives, Darüşşafaka has established itself as a leader. Currently, Darüşşafaka boasts an impressive roster of 850 licensed student-athletes and actively engages in a rich array of artistic pursuits, including art exhibitions and orchestral performances. Today, I encourage you to embrace peace, foster a sense of unity, and exhibit courage. Remain resilient and resolute, as May 19 celebrates perseverance and commemorates those who continue to strive even in the face of significant challenges.”
Arpacı continued her speech by reminding the students that our Great Leader stood resolutely against the world to reestablish our nation, and she urged the students to remain steadfastly connected to the principles and reforms instituted by our great leader, advocating for commitment to the ideals of a contemporary, secular, and democratic Türkiye. Arpacı concluded her address with a poignant call to the students:
“Dear Students, you have gathered here from various regions across our nation, including Samsun, Amasya, Sivas, and Erzurum. Fulfill your responsibilities by striving for modernity through achievements, qualifications, and aspirations for our nation. As a youth, understand and internalize your history while cherishing your values. I am confident that when the time arises for you to defend our independence and the Republic, you will not hesitate to assess your responsibilities and the prevailing circumstances before undertaking your duty. You are the individuals who affirm that the truest patriots are those who diligently perform their responsibilities. Today marks the birthday of our esteemed leader, and it is a day of celebration for you and the birth of our great nation. The freedom and independence we enjoy in this beautiful country can be attributed to our revered leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the dedicated citizens who uphold his vision. We shall honor our commitments through diligent work, productivity, and a commitment to science.”
Following the conclusion of her address, Arpacı officially presented the IHA license to the 153rd term students of the IHA Team at Darüşşafaka High School, who have distinguished themselves as a source of pride for Türkiye through their accomplishments. Subsequent to the license presentation, Ahmet Baki read “Atatürk’s Address to Youth,” and students Mehmet Efe and Nehir Selvi articulated “Youth’s Reply to Atatürk.”
The video art project titled “Umudumuz Gençlik/Our Hope is the Youth,” created by students from the Digital Arts Skill Workshop, has received commendation. Additionally, the Gymnastics Team, comprised of students in the 5th and 6th grades, along with participants from the Dancing Skills Workshop, made a significant impact with their performances.
The performances by the Darüşşafaka Pop-Rock Orchestra and the Rhythm-Percussion Skill Workshop students significantly enhanced the enthusiasm of the ceremony. The Folk Dances Team’s presentation once again garnered considerable applause from the audience. The work titled “Fikirler Ölmez/Ideas Don’t Die,” performed by the sixth-grade students, elicited strong emotions among the audience, while the step and sports performances delivered by high school students left a lasting impression.
The ceremony concluded with the final tableau featuring all performance groups, followed by a commemorative photograph of all students alongside the Board of Directors.
