January 29 spirit revived in İskeçe: Resistance in memory, dignity in identity
The event was organized by the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board (BTTADK) and hosted at the İskeçe Cultural Center of the Association of University Graduates of the Western Thrace Minority, drawing an exceptionally large audience. With the hall filled to capacity, the strong turnout underscored that the spirit of January 29 remains alive and relevant decades later.
“January 29: Resistance in Our Memory, Dignity in Our Identity”
The conference, held under the title “January 29: Resistance in Our Memory, Dignity in Our Identity,” featured keynote speakers Mustafa Trampa, President of the BTTADK and Mufti of İskeçe, and journalist Ozan Ahmetoğlu. The discussion was moderated by Ahmet Hraloğlu, Deputy Mufti of İskeçe.
Before the conference sessions began, Zeynep Tevfikoğlu, newly elected President of the Association of University Graduates of the Western Thrace Minority, welcomed attendees and expressed her honor in hosting such a meaningful gathering. In his opening remarks, Mufti Trampa thanked participants for their strong presence and engagement.
Emotional Tribute and Historical Reflection
Following the opening speeches, a specially prepared January 29 folk song, produced by the İskeçe Mufti’s Office social media team, was screened, creating emotional moments among attendees.
The event was attended by Türkiye’s Consul General in Gümülcine, Aykut Ünal, and his wife İlayda Ünal, İskeçe MPs Hüseyin Zeybek and Burhan Baran, FEP Party President Çiğdem Asafoğlu, Mayor of Mustafçova Ahmet Kurt, regional and municipal council members, İskeçe Turkish Union President Kerem Abdurahimoğlu, Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union President Sedat Hasan, educators, religious officials, and many members of the Turkish minority community.
Passing the January 29 Legacy to Future Generations
In his address, Mufti Mustafa Trampa provided an in-depth account of the background and developments surrounding the January 29 events of 1988 and 1990, outlining the meetings, decisions, and social dynamics that led to the historic mobilizations. He emphasized the importance of transmitting the spirit of January 29 to younger generations, noting that the Mufti’s Office places special focus on youth-oriented initiatives.
Trampa also highlighted the central role of women in both family and society, stressing that Turkish women of Western Thrace play a crucial role in preserving the January 29 legacy and safeguarding the broader minority cause.
A Journalist’s Perspective on the Aftermath
Journalist Ozan Ahmetoğlu approached the events from a media perspective, summarizing their political and social consequences. He recalled that in the elections following the January 29 incidents, Ahmet Faikoğlu in İskeçe and Dr. Sadık Ahmet in Gümülcine were elected as independent MPs, representing the Turkish minority in the Greek Parliament for three and a half years.
Ahmetoğlu noted that while certain civil rights were later presented under the rhetoric of “equality before the law,” discriminatory practices against the Turkish minority persist today through different mechanisms.
Closing Remarks
In his closing remarks, Consul General Aykut Ünal expressed his satisfaction at standing alongside the Turkish minority community, reaffirming his continued support.
In a statement shared on social media, the Consulate General of Türkiye in Gümülcine noted its participation in the event organized on the occasion of the National Day of Resistance and Social Solidarity of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.
