Yunus Emre Institute organized a series of events in its foreign representative offices for "July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day" to highlight the epic written by the Turkish nation on July 15, 2016 around the world.

In close coordination with Embassies and Consulates General, the Institute organized various activities in its foreign representative offices in countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Italy, Qatar, Jordan, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

EGYPT: "JULY 15 HOLDS THE SAME SPIRIT THAT FOUNDED THE REPUBLIC 100 YEARS AGO" 

Cairo Yunus Emre Institute hosted a commemorative ceremony on the occasion of "July 15th Democracy and National Unity Day".

In his speech at the ceremony, Institute Coordinator Emin Boyraz stated, "This year marks the 100^th anniversary of our Republic. July 15 holds the same spirit that founded the Republic 100 years ago. Both in Çanakkale and the War of Independence, we see the same spirit that draws strength from national unity, solidarity and spiritual values."

Stating that the Turkish nation showed its love for the homeland through unity and solidarity to the whole world with the stance it took on July 15, Boyraz added, "The Turkish nation, which stood against those who invaded their homeland 100 years ago, declared once again that a nation that worships Allah will never waiver from their independence, with the struggle it put up under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on July 15."

The commemoration ceremony was attended by representatives from the Turkish Embassy in Cairo, Turkish business people living in Egypt, academics, Institute trainees and guests.

After a minute of silence, the Anthem of Independence was recited and photographs taken by Anadolu Agency during the heinous attempted coup were exhibited at the ceremony.

LEBANON: "THE HEROES OF THE CENTURY OF TÜRKIYE HAVE INSPIRED MANY HEROES AND WILL INSPIRE MANY MORE TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COUNTRY'S COUNTLESS BREAKTHROUGHS" 

A commemoration program was organized in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, to mark "July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day".

The program held at Beirut Yunus Emre Institute was attended by Turkish Ambassador to Beirut Ali Barış Ulusoy, Beirut Yunus Emre Institute Coordinator Esra Yılmaz, TIKA Lebanon Coordinator Onur Gez, teachers working within the Turkish Ministry of National Education and Lebanese citizens.

In the protocol speech he delivered at the program, Ambassador Ulusoy stated that the greatest legacy of the martyrs and veterans of July 15 is that they gave the Turkish people the honor of being able to imagine and live in the Century of Türkiye at the cost of their lives and added, "The heroes of the Century of Türkiye have inspired many heroes and will inspire many more to contribute to our country's countless breakthroughs."

At the end of the program, Sheikh Yahya al-Omeri, one of Lebanon's leading scholars, recited prayers for the martyrs of July 15.

The commemoration ceremony ended with the recital of a poem written by Prof. Mohammed Rashid, Rector of Tripoli University, about the night of July 15, the screening of the documentary " The Epic of July 15: From Night to Dawn" and the "July 15 Photo Exhibition" by Anadolu Agency.

HUNGARY: "THE TREACHEROUS ATTEMPT OF THE COUP PLOTTERS TO PUT THEIR INSIDIOUS PLANS INTO PRACTICE ON JULY 15, 2016 WAS REPELLED WITH THE GREAT DETERMINATION OF OUR NATION, WHICH HAS ALWAYS LIVED AND WILL ALWAYS LIVE FREE"

A commemoration event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Budapest, hosted by Budapest Yunus Emre Institute.

In her speech, Turkish Ambassador to Budapest Gülşen Karanis Ekşioğlu stated,

"The treacherous attempt of the coup plotters to put their insidious plans into practice on July 15, 2016 was repelled by the great determination of our nation, which has always lived and will always live free. On this anniversary, marking the 'Democracy and National Unity Day' in our history, we have come together to once again show our determination to defend our democracy against all kinds of threats and to commemorate our martyrs who gave their lives for this cause with mercy and gratitude."

The commemoration ceremony was attended by members of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Budapest and representatives of Turkish institutions in Hungary, as well as many guests.

ROMANIA: "A RARE EXAMPLE OF CIVIL RESISTANCE IN MODERN STATES AND SOCIETIES" 

A commemoration ceremony was hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Bucharest with the contributions of Bucharest Yunus Emre Institute, Maarif Foundation Bucharest Branch and the Union of International Democrats (UID).

Former Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, members of the Embassy, foreign mission chiefs, Romanian public officials, businesspeople, members of the press and citizens attended the ceremony.

In his speech at the ceremony, Ambassador Özgür Kıvanç Altan stated that the true face of the criminal network, which had been embedded in the government and its institutions for many years, had been revealed and added, "What we saw was a rare example of civil resistance in modern states and societies."

In cooperation with Bucharest Yunus Emre Institute, "Heroes of the Century of Türkiye" photo exhibition and video screenings consisting of photographs taken by Anadolu Agency on the night of the attempted coup were organized, and prayers were offered for the martyrs and veterans.

RUSSIA: "EVER SINCE 1923, TÜRKİYE HAS ALWAYS SUCCEEDED IN ITS JUST STRUGGLES THANKS TO THE SACRIFICES AND DEDICATION OF ITS HEROES" 

"July 15 Photo Exhibition" was held at Moscow Yunus Emre Institute. The event was organized by the Communications Directorate of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Moscow.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition was attended by Turkish Ambassador to Moscow Mehmet Samsar, embassy staff, members of the press and many Turkish and Russian guests.

In his speech, Ambassador Samsar stated that although 7 years had passed, the atrocities and treachery committed by the heinous coup plotters, members of the terrorist organization FETÖ, were still fresh in the memories.

Recalling that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Republic, Samsar added, "The second century of our Republic will be the 'Century of Türkiye' in many aspects. Türkiye has always been successful in its just struggles since 1923, thanks to the sacrifices and dedication of its heroes."

Following the screening of a short film on July 15 prepared by the Presidency, Anadolu Agency's photographs of the attempted coup were exhibited at the event.