The “Struggle for Independence in the 100th Anniversary of the Republic” event, organized by the Faculty of Tourism on 25.10.2023 at the Hanife Aşçı Conference Hall at 13.30, was held with the participation of Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Kaya Tuncer ÇAĞLAYAN.
In his opening remarks, Tourism Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Yetkin Bulut stated that although the Tourism Faculty is still a new faculty, it is one of eight accredited programs at our university. He also noted that the OMU Tourism Faculty Black Sea Tourism Research Journal launched in 2023. He continued, "As the Tourism Faculty, our fundamental goal is to raise a modern generation, guided by Atatürk's principles. We are doing our utmost to raise a generation." He concluded his speech by saying, "There is brutality, bloodshed, and tears in various parts of the world. Today, we are in a period where we most need national unity and solidarity. I celebrate the centennial of our Republic for all of us, wishing for a world where children's tears are shed and where people live in peace and tranquility, and I respectfully greet you all with the hope that it will be celebrated for many more centuries to come."
The event continued with a speech on the national struggle by invited guest Prof. Dr. Kaya Tuncer ÇAĞLAYAN. Addressing the many factors that have shaped the course of world history for thousands of years, Prof. Dr. Çağlayan stated that while these factors may change from time to time, the fundamentally constant factor has been the struggle for sovereignty among communities with specific ties within the flow of historical events.While shared affiliations may sometimes be religious, sometimes economic, or sometimes geographical, ethnic affiliation is more dominant than other affiliations. While social solidarities around religious identity may seem historically decisive, a national group has always guided these solidarities. If we take the historical struggle between Islam and Christianity as an example, Arabs fought against Christians during the first three centuries of their leadership in Islam. Turks have left their mark on nearly ten centuries of Islamic history, beginning in the 11th century, becoming Islam's pioneer nation and the bearers of the struggle against Christianity. The struggle for nations has determined the course of history and carried it to the present day. Explaining the plans made for our country during the struggle for nations through maps, ÇAĞLAYAN showed examples of the country's territory being divided on different maps, emphasizing that these plans have always existed, with the homeland being divided and given to other states to be established, but the national struggle has thwarted these ideas and thoughts. Following the Armistice of Mudros signed on October 30, 1918, Izmir was occupied by the Greeks, Adana by the French, and Antalya and Konya by the Italians. British troops landed in Urfa, Maraş, Antep, Merzifon, and Samsun. The British Navy anchored off Istanbul on November 13, 1918. With British support, the Greeks in and around Samsun were raiding villages in the hope of opening the region to allied occupation in accordance with Article 7 of the Armistice of Mudros. When the Turkish nation tried to organize to defend themselves against these Greek schemes and to protect their lives and property, the relevant British High Commission and the Black Sea Army General Command sent a note to the Istanbul Government on April 21, 1919. It called for the easing of tensions in the region and the cessation of alleged attacks against Greeks. In response to this call, Mustafa Kemal, assigned as the Inspector of the 9th Army to maintain order in the region, issued a statement on May 16, 1919. He set out on the Bandırma Ferry in 1919.”
Prof. Dr. Çağlayan stated that the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk came to Samsun for two great purposes, saying, “The first was to unite with his comrades and the Turkish nation and initiate a glorious struggle to save our homeland from enemy occupation, and the second was to establish a republican regime in which the national will would dominate the country.” Prof. Dr. Çağlayan explained that the idea originated in Istanbul and that Atatürk, who stayed there for six months, discussed it with his friends. He continued: “The idea is about the national struggle. Our soldiers and commanders, especially Atatürk, brought this idea to the forefront. This is liberation. They believe it's possible to a certain extent, but it's unclear how much support the state will provide, and Samsun is important as a place to test the country's spirit and determine whether their ideas will materialize.” Prof. Dr. Çağlayan, stating that the idea of a national struggle was born in Istanbul and matured in Samsun, concluded his remarks as follows: “When I saw Samsun and its people, I was once again firmly convinced that all my ideas and decisions regarding the country and the nation could be realized under any circumstances. The patriotism and selflessness I saw in the people of Samsun and read in their eyes were enough to guide my hopes and thoughts to the right decision. In this sense, Samsun is truly the place where the first spark of the National Struggle was struck, where the first fire was lit.” The event concluded with the presentation of a sapling certificate by Yetkin Bulut, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, to Prof. Dr. Kaya Tuncer ÇAĞLAYAN and a photo shoot.
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