Türkiye marked the 4th anniversary of the failed coup attempt, which took place on July 15, 2016, with a number of memorial activities for the martyrs who had confronted with the heinous coup plotters.
‘July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day’ commemoration ceremonies commenced with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan laying flowers and praying for the martyrs at the Martyrs’ Monument. President Erdoğan then moved on to participate in the program held at the Turkish Parliament and delivered a speech. He said there was not any other assembly but those in Türkiye that deserves the title of ‘veteran’. Praising the Turkish nation for willingly putting its own body as a shield against the coup plotters, President Erdoğan said, “We are proceeding our way more strongly and determinedly with our Presidency, our Assembly, our diplomacy, our army, and our infrastructure both for us and our allies.”
After having a luncheon with families of the July 15 martyrs and ghazis, President Erdoğan lastly addressed the nation. He commemorated 251 martyrs fighting back against the coup that cost their lives. “Establishing the Republic of Türkiye after losing three-fourths of its lands, our nation declared that it would not let the same disaster happen again,” said Erdoğan. He underlined that both the state and the nation have much to say and many projects to realize.
In memoir of July 15 martyrs, a special concert was organized for the first time by the Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications at the Presidential Complex in Ankara under the theme of “Epic of July 15 Symphony” and composed by the Turkish pianist Fahir Atakoğlu.