Teachers’ Day celebrated in Western Thrace
The Teachers’ Day event organized by the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers’ Association took place on Sunday evening, November 24.
The event began with a moment of silence in memory of deceased teachers. Speeches followed by Aydın Ahmet, President of the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers’ Association; İbrahim Şerif, President of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board and Mufti of Komotini; and Aykut Ünal, Consul General of Türkiye in Komotini.
In his opening speech, Aydın Ahmet emphasized the significance of Teachers’ Day and extended his congratulations to all teachers. Highlighting the challenges faced in minority education, Ahmet stated:
"While our educational autonomy was guaranteed under the Treaty of Lausanne, it has been systematically undermined over time. Unilateral laws passed without minority input, especially post-junta, have stripped minority education of its special and autonomous status. Our demands for bilingual Turkish-Greek preschools are ignored, and primary schools are closed under the pretext of low student numbers. Furthermore, the rights of school boards that ensure our schools’ unique status are disregarded, and teachers educated in Turkey are not appointed. The lack of new minority secondary schools and the state's disinterest in improving education quality reflect a broader assimilation effort. As loyal Greek citizens, we hope our government rectifies this injustice."
Mufti İbrahim Şerif described teaching as a sacred profession, acknowledging the teachers who have educated generations despite challenges. He remarked, "Despite the hardships over our 100-year minority history, teachers have nurtured countless scholars under difficult conditions. However, in the 21st century, we are forced to educate our children in schools without proper resources." He concluded by extending prayers for deceased teachers and good wishes for those currently serving.
Consul General Aykut Ünal praised the role of teachers in shaping the future, stating:
"Teaching is both an art and a guide to the future, involving the nurturing of individual students and transforming society. Atatürk recognized education as the cornerstone of the Republic, emphasizing its vital role for societal progress. Following Atatürk’s vision, we remain committed to supporting efforts to enhance education."
The evening featured a Turkish classical music performance by the Turkish Art Music Lovers Association, with guests often joining in. A percussion group led by teacher Batuhan Hasan made its debut, captivating the audience with an unforgettable performance. The event concluded with traditional dance performances by the cultural teams of the Komotini Turkish Youth Union and the Xanthi Turkish Union.
Prominent attendees included Consul General Aykut Ünal and his wife, İlayda Ünal; Muftis İbrahim Şerif and Mustafa Trampa; MPs Hüseyin Zeybek and Özgür Ferhat; DEB Party Chairwoman Çiğdem Asafoğlu; and representatives from various organizations and municipalities, alongside numerous teachers and guests.
