Atatürk remembered at Manastır Military High School in North Macedonia

The event took place at the building that now operates as the Bitola City Museum, attracting numerous officials, diplomats, and representatives of Turkish organizations in the country.

Among those attending were Türkiye’s Ambassador to Skopje Fatih Ulusoy, Deputy Director General of Administrative Services at Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense Brigadier General Ramazan Toper, Commander of Education and Doctrine of the Army of North Macedonia Brigadier General Lulzim Nuredini, Deputy Defense Minister Admir Shabani, and the mayor of Bitola Toni Konjanovski.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence in memory of Atatürk and his comrades, followed by the national anthems of Türkiye and North Macedonia.

In his speech, Ambassador Fatih Ulusoy highlighted the historical significance of Bitola, noting that the city has long been a meeting point for cultures and communities in the Balkans.

“Bitola holds an important place in the shared history of our peoples who have lived together for centuries,” Ulusoy said, emphasizing that the city also represents a symbolic bridge between the two countries.

Brigadier General Ramazan Toper underlined the role of the military school in shaping the young Mustafa Kemal’s intellectual and national awareness, noting that the institution was one of the Ottoman Empire’s gateways to Western thought and education in the 19th century.

He also stressed that Türkiye and North Macedonia continue to play an important role in promoting lasting peace and stability in the Balkans.

Brigadier General Lulzim Nuredini also praised Atatürk’s legacy, stating that the future leader of Türkiye laid the foundations of knowledge, discipline, and values during his education in Bitola.

Following the speeches, participants visited the Atatürk Memorial Room at the museum and signed the commemorative guest book.