On October 29th, we commemorated the 102nd anniversary of our Republic, a legacy of our esteemed Great Leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with a solemn ceremony held at the Darüşşafaka Ayhan Şahenk Sports Complex.
The Republic Day ceremony on October 29th, the Republic Day, was honored by the presence of several distinguished guests, including attended by Oğuz Güleç, Chairperson of the Board, Zekeriya Yıldırım, Former Chairperson of the Board and the Member of Supreme Advisory Board (SAB), Talha Çamaş, Former Chairperson of the Board and the Member of SAB, Erman Süsler, Zeynep Necioğlu, and Eşref Biryıldız, Vice Chairpersons of the Board, Prof. Dr. Esra Ekmekçi Çalıcıoğlu, Dr. Serpil Tunçer and Büşra Giray, Board Members, Beşir Özmen, Member of the Darüşşafaka Culture and History Commission, Mustafa U. Demirci, Member of the Commission for Student Selection, Enrolment and Admission, Figen Atalay, Member of the Commission for Donation, Communication, and Fundraising, Atty. Dr. İnci Ercan, Chief Legal Counsel, and along with directors, teachers, students, parents, donors, and staff affiliated with the Society and Educational Institutions.
Ebru Arpacı, General Manager of Darüşşafaka Educational Institutions: “The Republic symbolizes the convergence of freedom and responsibility. And a living testament to this conviction is Darüşşafaka”.
The ceremony commenced with a performance by the Pipe Trumpet Team from the secondary school, moderated by 10th-grade students Zeynep Hazan K. and Berke H., and continued with a moment of silence, followed by the Turkish National Anthem and the Darüşşafaka Anthem. During her opening address, Ebru Arpacı, General Manager of Darüşşafaka Educational Institutions, articulated the significance of the Republic by stating: “The Republic is not merely a legacy of the past; it embodies the efforts of today and the aspirations for tomorrow. The Republic transcends being just a form of governance, representing the human will to allow individual thought to guide one’s actions. The Republic symbolizes the convergence of freedom and responsibility. And a living testament of this conviction is Darüşşafaka. The concept of equal opportunity is integral to the Republic, and it is epitomized by Darüşşafaka. Today, each student at this institution daily exemplifies the essence of the Republic through determination and diligence. Darüşşafaka signifies more than merely being a school; it represents a lifestyle characterized by critical thinking, inquiry, and productivity. This reflects the core principles of the Republic, which advocates for continuous progress and discourages stagnation, aware that failure ensues when one ceases to advance. Darüşşafaka stands as the quintessential illustration of our relentless pursuit of growth. For over one hundred and sixty years, this institution has profoundly influenced the destiny of countless children through the power of education, serving as a living testament to the principle of equal opportunity inherent in the Republic. In every scientific Olympiad, artistic event, and societal initiative, the contributions of Darüşşafaka members, the guidance of Darüşşafaka educators, and the inspiration of its alumni are evident. Each piece of software developed by our students, every start-up initiated by our graduates, and the lasting hope fostered by our teachers collectively represent the enduring spirit of the Republic”.
During her address, receiving applause from the students, Ebru Arpacı addressed the students of Darüşşafaka with these words:
“Esteemed Youth, the very soils upon which we stand have emphasized our shared journey toward unity, characterized by both collective sorrows and prides, engaging in the communal sharing of sustenance and shelter, striving to foster peace, justice, and prosperity. Remain resolute in advocating for universal human values, competing with the world’s developed countries across all realms. Stand firmly against war while championing peace. Extend your hands in solidarity to create a world where children laugh rather than weep, where melodies of peace resonate in place of the sounds of conflict. Do not hesitate to discuss, defend, or articulate these principles. Continue to follow the path of our esteemed leader, great soldier, and statesman, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and uphold our values. Ensure that his legacy endures in the hearts of our revered ancestors, martyrs, veterans, and our nation for generations to come. Never forget the contributions of our Great Leader”.
Following the address delivered by Ebru Arpacı, Furkan G., the President of Secondary School Student Council, and Kerem G., the President of High School Student Council, took to the stage. Subsequently, the awards were presented to the students who achieved top rankings in the Republic Slogan Contest, conducted for the fourth time this year by the Departments of Turkish Language and Literature and Social Sciences, with the awards being bestowed by Ebru Arpacı. During the contest,
Abdullah G. from class 11-A achieved the first rank with his slogan “Ata’mın Vasiyeti Cumhuriyet, Vatanın Nefesidir Hürriyet!”
Fırat S. from class 11-F achieved the second rank with his slogan “Cumhuriyet ile Güçlenir Yüreğimiz, Atatürk ile Aydınlanır Geleceğimiz.”
And Begüm Hanife D. achieved the third rank with her slogan “Aydınlığı Başlatan Cumhuriyet, Umudu Sönmeyecek Emanet!”
The ceremony proceeded with remarkable enthusiasm, featuring a theatrical performance by students from the theatrical skills workshop, as well as a rendition of the Anthems of Akdeniz, İleri, and Cumhuriyet performed by our choir.
The theatrical presentations, entitled “Anılarla Tarihsel Süreç/Historical Process Through Memories” and “Eğitim Gezisi/Education Trip”, alongside waltz performances by the folklore dance team, received a warm reception from the audience.
Following a flag performance by our students, the presentation titled “Cumhuriyet Biziz/We Are the Republic” inspired all attendees to stand in unison with fervor, bringing the ceremony to a proud conclusion.
One hundred and two years ago, one of the heralds of the declaration “Tomorrow, we shall proclaim the Republic!” was Kemalettin Sami (Gökçen) from Darüşşafaka. As Darüşşafaka, which has been illuminating the foundations of this nation through high-quality education for 162 years, we take pride in having witnessed the Republic’s inception and in standing shoulder to shoulder with our Great Leader and his esteemed comrades in arms.
Please click here to read an article authored by Beşir Özmen, a Member of the Darüşşafaka Culture and History Commission, featured in the column “This Month in Our History”.
The Ferdi Zeyrek Foundation Proudly Stands Alongside EFE boursiers As We Celebrate the Momentous 102nd Anniversary of the Republic.
Following the Republic Day Ceremony, which was celebrated with great pride, a significant protocol signing event took place to establish a scholarship program for college students, undertaken by our Society in partnership with the Ferdi Zeyrek Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting the educational endeavors of children and youth facing financial challenges.
The protocol was formally signed by Oğuz Güleç, our Chairperson of the Board, and Nurcan Sarkın Zeyrek, the Founder of Ferdi Zeyrek Foundation. This Foundation, named in honor of the late Mayor of Manisa, Ferdi Zeyrek, will provide scholarships to ten college students through our Scholarship Fund, EFE (Equal Opportunities in Education), specifically aiming to assist students who have not graduated from Darüşşafaka, have lost one parent, and experience financial hardships.
