19 May Ceremony held at Atatürk House in Selanik
A commemorative ceremony marking Türkiye’s May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day was held at the historic Atatürk House in Selanik, the birthplace of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
The event brought together Turkish citizens, students, educators, and officials to honor the anniversary of Atatürk’s arrival in Samsun on May 19, 1919 — widely regarded as the beginning of Türkiye’s War of Independence.
Speaking during the ceremony, Turkish Consul General in Selanik Serkan Gedik emphasized the historical significance of May 19, describing Atatürk’s landing in Samsun as “the first spark of a nation’s struggle for independence and freedom.”
Gedik highlighted Atatürk’s strong belief in younger generations and noted that dedicating the national holiday to youth symbolized Türkiye’s trust in its future generations.
“The great step taken on May 19 ultimately led to the establishment of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and the proclamation of the Republic in 1923,” Gedik said.
The ceremony carried additional symbolic importance as it was hosted at Atatürk’s birthplace in Selanik, which was restored and reorganized as a museum by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism last year.
Gedik stated that commemorative events held at the site contribute to strengthening awareness of Atatürk’s legacy among younger generations.
Students from various schools attended the ceremony alongside members of the Turkish community in Greece.
Concluding his remarks, Gedik paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, martyrs, and veterans, thanking participants for attending the event.
