Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. In his speech on the 104th anniversary of the liberation of Izmir, Cemil Tugay emphasized that the freedom of the city was gained by paying great prices.
Commemorating the heroes of the War of Independence, Tugay said, "104 years ago, they fulfilled their responsibilities. Some resisted, some fought, some were injured, some died on these lands. Now it is our turn to work and succeed. We will protect the Republic. We will protect the free spirit of Izmir, and we will leave our children a city they will be proud of."
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay spoke at the program organized within the scope of the 104th anniversary of the liberation of Izmir on September 9. He started his speech with Orhan Şaik Gökyay's "Whose Homeland Is This?" Tugay, who started by reading lines from his poem, said that Izmir's history was shaped by the struggle for independence and great sacrifices.
“FREEDOM HAS A PRICE”
Reminiscent of Hasan Tahsin, who fired the first bullet against the occupation of Izmir, and the Mehmetçik who rushed to the front, the Brigade drew attention to the struggle of the Turkish army advancing towards Izmir after the Great Offensive.
Tugay said, "We remember Hasan Tahsin firing his gun on the first day of the occupation. We remember our Mehmetçiks running to the front, our heroic army advancing continuously after the Great Offensive, crossing mountains and plains. We see that freedom has a price and Izmir paid that price."
Stating that September 9 is not just a day of victory, Tugay said, "That is why September 9 contains great joy as well as a great sense of gratitude. It reminds us of the unfinished lives behind the victory we celebrate, and the families who buried their children."
“THIS HISTORY WALKS WITH US”
Stating that Izmir has been carrying the traces of liberation and the Republic for 104 years, Tugay said that different parts of the city keep the memory of the War of Independence alive.
Tugay said, "The voices of liberation and establishment have been echoing in the streets of this city for 104 years. From Kordon to Konak, from Kemeraltı to Kadifekale, from Halkapınar to the mountains of Izmir, the same history walks with us. This city carries the courage of Hasan Tahsin, the honor of Süleyman Fethi Bey, the memory of our martyrs and the victory of our heroic army."
Stating that Izmir's commitment to its freedom stems from its history, Tugay said, "Anyone who wants to understand why Izmir is so passionately committed to its freedom today should look at this history. We know the price of freedom. We know the value of the Republic. We know the magnitude and value of the legacy Ataturk left to this country. We have been carrying all this with honor for 104 years."
“THIS DATE IMPOSES RESPONSIBILITY ON US”
Emphasizing that a great historical heritage brings not only pride but also responsibility, Tugay said that Izmir's future should be protected.
Tugay said, "The price they paid is the responsibility we carry with honor today. That responsibility tells us how we should look after Izmir. We have to take good care of a city for which lives were sacrificed. We have to prepare a good future for the children of this city, for which great prices were paid for its freedom."
Tugay underlined that reason, science, education and culture should be supported more strongly in Izmir, which experienced the excitement of the founding of the Republic, and said, "In a city that has such a strong love for Atatürk, we have to work harder to achieve the goals set by him."
“WE WILL WORK HARDER”
Promising to work and produce for Izmir, Tugay also listed the priorities of the municipality. He said that children should receive good education, young people should be able to build a future in Izmir, and a city should be created where women are free and strong.
Tugay said, "We will do it, we will work harder. We will work harder every day than the previous day. We will work to ensure that the children of Izmir receive a good education. We will work for our youth to dream, produce and build their future in their own cities. We will work for an Izmir where women are free and strong, where their labor is rewarded, and where none of our citizens feel alone."
Stating that the bay and nature will be protected and the history and culture of Izmir will be protected, Tugay said, "We will take good care of our bay and sea. We will protect our nature. We will protect our history. We will grow our culture. We will increase the prosperity of this city and increase the opportunities of Izmir for all our citizens."
“WE WILL SHOW OUR DEDICATION TO ATATURK BY WORKING”
Tugay said that loyalty to Atatürk and the values of the Republic should be shown with work, not words, and said, "We will show our loyalty to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk by working. We will show our loyalty to the Republic by living its values in life. We will show our love for Izmir by moving this city a little further every day."
Stating that the 104th anniversary of the liberation of Izmir will be celebrated with great enthusiasm on September 9, Tugay said, "Our heads will be high, our flags will be in the sky. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's name will echo in the squares of this city again. In that great enthusiasm, we will never forget where we came from."
“IT'S OUR TURN TO WORK AND SUCCESS”
At the end of his speech, Tugay commemorated the heroes and martyrs of the War of Independence and emphasized his responsibility to leave a stronger Izmir to future generations.
Tugay said, "104 years ago, they fulfilled their responsibilities. Some resisted, some fought, some were injured, some died on these lands. Now it is our turn to work and succeed. We will protect the Republic. We will protect the free spirit of Izmir. We will leave our children a city they will be proud of."
Tugay said that he commemorates all the heroes of the War of Independence and the martyrs who lost their lives for the sake of the country with respect and mercy.
