Across Karabük University, the martyrs of democracy were commemorated and a message of national unity and solidarity was conveyed through panels, exhibitions, commemorative programmes, sporting events and visits to martyrs’ cemeteries organised to mark the 10th anniversary of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day.
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As part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, a range of events took place across Karabük University (KBÜ), including photography exhibitions, documentary screenings, panel discussions, commemorative programmes, tree-planting initiatives, sporting and artistic events, and visits to martyrs’ cemeteries. During the programmes, the martyrs of 15 July were remembered with compassion and gratitude, whilst the importance of upholding the national will and keeping alive the spirit of unity and solidarity was emphasised.
Panel on ‘15 July in Various Dimensions’ at Karabük University
As part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day commemorations, Karabük University hosted a panel discussion entitled ‘15 July in Its Various Dimensions’, which examined the economic, social and psychological impacts of the treacherous coup attempt.
The panel, held in the Martyr Fırat Yılmaz Çakıroğlu Conference Hall, was attended by: Prof. Dr Ozan Büyükyılmaz, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration; Prof. Dr Ersin Müezzinoğlu, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences; Prof. Dr Muhittin Kapanşahin, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; as well as academic staff and students. Organised in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Business Administration, the event assessed the events of 15 July from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Dr Murat Ergül, who moderated the panel, emphasised that 15 July was one of the most significant turning points in recent history. In her presentation titled ‘Crisis, Resilience and Recovery’, Dr Tuğçe Olcay used data to explain how the Turkish economy weathered the crisis thanks to structural reforms and the Central Bank’s swift interventions. Research Assistant Halise Arslan Şekkeli, meanwhile, examined the formation processes of the coup-plotters’ mindset and the public’s resistance from a psychological perspective, highlighting the importance of social solidarity.
A Meaningful Commemoration of 15 July Through Digital Art at BTMYO
The Vocational School of Information Technologies (BTMYO) hosted the exhibition ‘The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours: A Visual Exhibition Revived Through Digital Game Aesthetics’ in commemoration of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day.The exhibition, which opened with the participation of BTMYO Director Assoc. Prof. Dr Kürşat Mustafa Karaoğlan, reinterpreted the iconic events of 15 July through the aesthetics of digital gaming and three-dimensional visual design techniques.Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karaoğlan highlighted the critical role of digital art in conveying historical memory, stating: “We aim to strengthen democratic awareness and pass on the lessons learnt from the past to future generations using the visual narrative tools of our time.”
A Commemorative Programme Was Held at the Faculty of Forestry
The commemorative programme, organised at the Faculty of Forestry under the chairmanship of Dean Prof. Dr Hüseyin Yörür, began with a minute’s silence and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem. As part of the programme, a recitation from the Holy Qur’an took place, and the documentary ‘From Night to Dawn: The 15 July Epic’ was screened. In his speech, Deputy Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr Ahmet Duyar highlighted the importance of the resolute stance demonstrated by the nation on the night of 15 July and emphasised the need to pass on this awareness to future generations. The programme concluded with remarks by Dean Prof. Dr Hüseyin Yörür on the significance and importance of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day.
A Message of Democracy Through Art at the Safranbolu Fethi Toker Faculty of Fine Arts and Design
At the Safranbolu Fethi Toker Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, a mural themed ‘The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours’, created as part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day celebrations, was unveiled at a ceremony. The opening ceremony was attended by the Faculty’s Deputy Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr Evrim Çağlayan; the mural’s artistic consultant, Assoc. Prof. Dr Ali Rıza Kanaç; the Deputy Dean of the Safranbolu Türker İnanoğlu Faculty of Communication, Assoc. Prof. Dr Arzu Kalafat Çat, Associate Professor Dr Mehmet Mutlu, Deputy Dean of the Başak Cengiz Faculty of Architecture, as well as academic and administrative staff and students. The artwork, which reflects the spirit of national will and independence through art, was examined with great interest by academic and administrative staff and students. Following the opening, art consultant Assoc. Prof. Dr Ali Rıza Kanaç provided information on the artwork’s design process and its artistic significance. A screening of a documentary film themed ‘The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours’ was also held at the faculty to raise awareness of the significance and importance of 15 July.
Exhibition and Commemoration Programme at the Faculty of Dentistry
A photography exhibition was opened at the Faculty of Dentistry as part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day celebrations. The exhibition featured photographs reflecting the nation’s defence of democracy, which were on display for academic and administrative staff to view.
The exhibition was organised with the aim of highlighting the significance and importance of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, strengthening awareness of democracy, and helping to pass on the events of that night to future generations.
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A Message of Unity and Solidarity Through Sport at the Hasan Doğan Faculty of Sports Sciences
The Hasan Doğan Faculty of Sports Sciences organised a table tennis tournament and a rock climbing event as part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day celebrations. The table tennis tournament, coordinated by Dr Mahmut Esat Uzun, was attended by 20 members of faculty staff and students, whilst whilst the rock climbing event, held at the Keltepe Karaağaç Climbing Garden, took place under the coordination of Associate Professor Neslihan Akçay and Turkish Mountaineering Federation Coach Ömer Faruk Akçay, with 35 participants.
The events highlighted the unifying power of sport, with participants coming together in a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. During the rock climbing programme, the use of safety equipment and safe climbing techniques were demonstrated through practical sessions, whilst athletes who achieved top rankings in the table tennis tournament were presented with awards. These programmes served to reinforce the message of unity and solidarity associated with 15 July through sport, whilst also contributing to the strengthening of social interaction between students and academic and administrative staff.
Commemorative Programme at the Türker İnanoğlu Faculty of Communication in Safranbolu
A commemorative programme themed ‘The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours’ was held at the Türker İnanoğlu Faculty of Communication in Safranbolu as part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day celebrations. During the programme, a documentary film produced by the Faculty of Communication was screened, whilst Assoc. Prof. Dr Utku Aybudak delivered a presentation on the political and social impacts of the 15 July coup attempt.
The programme addressed the significance and importance of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, emphasising the importance of upholding democracy and preserving the spirit of national unity. The commemorative programme concluded following the screening of the documentary and the academic presentations.
Martyrs Remembered with Prayers at the Safranbolu Şefik Yılmaz Dizdar Vocational College
As part of the commemoration programme organised at the Safranbolu Şefik Yılmaz Dizdar Vocational College to mark 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, saplings were planted in the college grounds in memory of the martyrs. The programme continued with a visit to the Safranbolu Central Martyrs’ Cemetery, where verses from the Holy Qur’an were recited and prayers were offered.
The event was attended by the Director of the Vocational College, Dr Fatma Erten, as well as academic and administrative staff. During the programme, emphasis was placed on the importance of upholding the spirit of national unity and solidarity, and of passing on an awareness of democracy to future generations.
International Students at TÖMER Learned About 15 July
At an event organised for international students studying at Karabük University’s Centre for Turkish Language Teaching, Application and Research (TÖMER), the significance and importance of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day were explained. The programme emphasised the importance of upholding the legacy of the martyrs and preserving the sense of national unity and solidarity.
Meaningful Visit by the School of Health Services to a Relative of a Martyr
Dr Emine Ersözlü, Assistant Director of the School of Health Services, and Lecturer Mert Uysal visited Fatma Arslan Ataman, a relative of Metin Arslan—a martyr of the 15 July coup attempt—and a computer operator on the staff of Karabük University.
During the visit, the martyrs of 15 July were remembered with respect and gratitude, and a gift was presented to Fatma Arslan Ataman.
Photography Exhibition and Tree-Planting at Eflani Vocational College
As part of the events held at Eflani Vocational College, a photography exhibition themed ‘The 15 July Epic of Democracy’ was opened. The exhibition showcased photographs documenting the events of the night of 15 July to visitors.
As part of the programme, a tree-planting ceremony was also held in memory of the martyrs of democracy. By planting the saplings in the campus garden, the memory of the martyrs was kept alive whilst also leaving a meaningful legacy for future generations.
Eskipazar Vocational College Makes a Meaningful Contribution to the 15 July Commemoration with a Mosaic Exhibition
Eskipazar Vocational College contributed to the programme marking the 10th anniversary of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day – organised under the coordination of the Eskipazar District Governor’s Office – with a 15 July-themed mosaic project and exhibition prepared by its students. The mosaic works displayed at the event, held under the theme ‘The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours’, were viewed with great interest by members of the public.
The commemorative programme was attended by Eskipazar District Governor Kübra Ustaoğlu, Eskipazar Mayor Serkan Civa, Public Prosecutors Burcu Köse and Hanife Baldemir Ateş, the Director of Karabük University’s Eskipazar Vocational School, Prof. Dr Tülay Ekemen Keskin, representatives of political parties and civil society organisations, and a large number of citizens.
The programme began with a minute’s silence and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by a recitation from the Holy Quran. After a speech by District Governor Kübra Ustaoğlu on the significance of the day, the programme featured religious chants, a live broadcast of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s address, and screenings of videos and documentaries focusing on 15 July. During the programme, awards were presented by members of the official delegation to students who had won prizes in the poetry, art and essay competitions organised as part of the event, whilst the commemoration programme concluded at midnight with the recitation of the call to prayer and prayers.
Photography Exhibition at the Faculty of Health Sciences
At the photography exhibition held at the Faculty of Health Sciences, images reflecting the nation’s struggle for democracy during the 15 July coup attempt were displayed to academic and administrative staff.
15 July Commemoration Event at the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences
A photography exhibition and video screening were organised at the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences as part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day. The event, which featured visuals reflecting the Turkish nation’s struggle for democracy in the face of the coup attempt, was attended by academic and administrative staff.
15 July Commemoration Programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
A programme was organised at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences to commemorate the martyrs as part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day. The programme, attended by academic and administrative staff as well as students, began with a minute’s silence and the singing of the National Anthem.
In the speeches delivered during the programme, attention was drawn to the significance of 15 July in terms of democracy and national will, whilst the beloved martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their country were remembered with compassion and gratitude. The event also emphasised the importance of preserving the sense of national unity and solidarity and passing it on to future generations.
A Screening of a Documentary on 15 July Was Held at the Faculty of Medicine
As part of the events marking 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, a screening of a documentary film themed ‘The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours’ was held at the Dr Ekrem Karakaya Conference Hall at Karabük University’s Faculty of Medicine. The event was attended by Prof. Dr Hasan Solmaz, Vice-Rector of Karabük University and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Deputy Dean Prof. Dr Ufuk Karadavut, and academic and administrative staff.
The documentary screening addressed the events of the night of 15 July and the nation’s struggle to defend democracy, whilst the programme highlighted the significance and importance of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day.
Special Issue of the School of Foreign Languages’ Journal Marking 15 July
The digital edition of *The Owls*, a journal published by the School of Foreign Languages at Karabük University, has been released to mark the 10th anniversary of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, under the theme ‘15 July in Its 10th Year: The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours’. In this special issue, topics such as democracy, national will, collective memory, unity and solidarity, independence, the rule of law and civic consciousness were addressed through original articles written in English by students.
The aim of the articles featured in the journal was to contribute to a proper understanding of 15 July at both national and international levels, to strengthen democratic awareness, and to pass on social memory to future generations. The content prepared by the students was shared with readers as a meaningful project that combines language education with social values.
Safranbolu Faculty of Tourism Donates Saplings in Memory of the Martyrs
The Safranbolu Faculty of Tourism donated saplings in memory of the revered martyrs and veterans as part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day commemorations. This meaningful event was organised with the aim of keeping the memory of the martyrs alive and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.