January 29 events commemorated in Istanbul

The anniversaries of the January 29, 1988 National Resistance and Social Solidarity Day and the January 29, 1990 vandalism incidents were commemorated in Istanbul’s Bayrampaşa district, hosted by the Türkiye Sancak Bosna Association.
The event was organized by the Federation of Rumelian Turkish Associations, which includes the Western Thrace Turks Solidarity Association, the Migrants Aid Association, and the Bosnia-Sancak Culture and Solidarity Association. Hülya Emin, the Editor-in-Chief of GÜNDEM Newspaper, participated as a guest speaker.
Federation President Prof. Dr. Adem Fazlıoğlu delivered the opening speech, followed by Hasan Küçük, the General President of the Western Thrace Turks Solidarity Association, who read the official press statement regarding January 29.
Addressing a large audience, Hülya Emin emphasized that January 29 marks a milestone in the history of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. She highlighted that January 29, 1988, was the anniversary of the community’s largest mass demonstration, while January 29, 1990, marked the anniversary of an attack against the minority.
Emin provided historical context, explaining that the 1980s were a period of significant oppression for the minority. The removal of signs bearing the word “Turk” from minority institutions by the police in 1983 was a turning point that led to mass mobilization. She described the events of January 29, 1988, as the largest collective action in the history of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.
She also detailed the developments surrounding the 1990 vandalism incidents and stressed the importance of knowing history. "Societies that do not know their history cannot shape their future. We must remember and pass on past events—not to fuel enmity, but to ensure that such injustices are never repeated," she said.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, followed by the presentation of a plaque and flowers to Hülya Emin by Federation President Prof. Dr. Adem Fazlıoğlu and Hasan Küçük.