Our Department's Academic Members Took Part İn The Panel On "The Battles Of Gallipoli And Our National Anthem"

A Panel on "The Gallipoli Battles and Our National Anthem" Organized by Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University (KMU) Faculty of Literature

A panel titled "The Gallipoli Battles and Our National Anthem" was organized by the Faculty of Literature at Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University (KMU) in the Faculty of Literature Conference Hall. The event featured Prof. Dr. Mehmet Mercan, Dean of the Faculty of Literature, Prof. Dr. İdris Nebi Uysal, Head of the Turkish Language and Literature Department, and Prof. Dr. Alaattin Uca, Lecturer at the History Department, as speakers.

Held in commemoration of March 18 Gallipoli Victory and Martyrs' Memorial Day, the panel began with a moment of silence and the recitation of the Turkish National Anthem. The first speaker, Prof. Dr. İdris Nebi Uysal, provided insights into the topic of "Mehmet Akif Ersoy and the National Anthem."

“The National Anthem is the pride of Turkish poetry in terms of its meaning and the values it embodies.”

Prof. Dr. Uysal stated, “There are many aspects of Mehmet Akif’s life and works that we can reflect on in our own lives. His first teacher was his father, Tahir Efendi. Akif expressed how much this meant to him with the words, ‘Everything I know, I learned from him.’ Mehmet Akif was a hafiz and had an insatiable thirst for reading. He was ambitious and ranked first in all the schools he attended. He was both a teacher and a preacher. While lecturing at various schools in Istanbul, he also delivered sermons in mosques, guiding people toward righteousness. Education was Akif’s main concern, and he always emphasized that it should begin within the family.”

Prof. Dr. Uysal further elaborated, “The National Anthem is the pride of Turkish poetry in terms of its meaning, the values it embodies, and the way it expresses them.” He continued, “Every word spoken by the national poet carries significance. However, when we closely examine the text, we notice that certain words and lines carry the weight of meaning. These words are ‘justice, faith, courage, freedom, homeland, and effort.’ Each of these words conveys profound meanings and represents the principles that guided Akif’s life and art.”

“The Spirit of Gallipoli Should Be Kept Alive Every Day, Not Just Once a Year”

Prof. Dr. Alaattin Uca then shared valuable insights on “The Spirit of Gallipoli and the Gallipoli Battles.” He stated, “The Gallipoli Wars were not merely a military confrontation but a historic turning point where a nation fought for its independence and existence. It was the pinnacle of heroism and sacrifice. This heroism and sacrifice have been passed down from generation to generation as our nation’s spiritual legacy, now embodied in the concept of the ‘Spirit of Gallipoli.’ This spirit is not just about uniting in times of war but also about making advancements in arts, science, and technology and acting in unity. The Spirit of Gallipoli should be kept alive every day, not just once a year. With this spirit, I hope for the eternal strength and perseverance of our nation, state, and homeland.”

The final speaker of the panel, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Mercan, addressed the topic of “The Gallipoli Battles and the Known Truths and Misconceptions About Them in History.”

Prof. Dr. Mercan shared visual materials depicting the meals distributed to soldiers during the Gallipoli Victory. He also provided details on the number of martyrs and the names of the commanders, offering prayers for all martyrs and veterans.