The 950th anniversary of the Malazgirt Victory was Held

This year, the events of the 950th anniversary of the Malazgirt Victory was held simultaneously by the Archers Foundation in Malazgirt and Ahlat on August 23-26. The events were held under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye. The events continued three days, with the great interest of public.

The 950th anniversary of the Malazgirt Victory, organized in accordance with the Covid-19 measures, was held in Ahlat and Malazgirt districts with the intense participation of state officials and the public. As usual, there was a high interest in the events held in Ahlat and Malazgirt districts. The Seljuk Cemetery was also visited within the scope of the organization, which was also attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Great interest

As part of the 950th anniversary of the Malazgirt Victory, this year witnessed a comprehensive program that hosted guests from various parts of Türkiye and the world. There was great enthusiasm at the events attended by 50 ambassadors from 70 countries. Our Rector Prof. Dr. Fethi Ahmet Polat also participated in the events in both Ahlat and Malazgirt. Muş Alparslan University academic/administrative staff and students also showed great interest in the activities.

Turkish Stars in the skies of Ahlat

Traditional sporting events such as archery, wrestling and javelin throwing were held in Ahlat Nation's Garden; torch marches were held, horse races and javelin games were played. The youth of the district had the opportunity to experience traditional ancestral sports in the activity areas. The Turkish Stars performances, which have become traditional as part of the events, were also appreciated by the public. As always, Turkish Stars showed a great performance in the skies of Ahlat.

The anniversary celebrations ended in Malazgirt

The 950th anniversary celebrations ended with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's public speaking. Public showed a great interest to the ceremony where President Erdoğan came to Malazgirt on August 26 and addressed the public.

“There is no easy victory in our history.”

Erdoğan commemorated all martyrs, especially Sultan Alparslan, with mercy on the 950th anniversary of the Malazgirt Victory. He said, “Malazgirt is defined as the zero point of our history in Anatolia. Yes, this is the place where Turkish history is classified as before and after Malazgirt. There is no easy victory in our history. A lot of effort is behind the Malazgirt Victory. There is effort, sacrifice.”

Emphasis on love, tolerance, right and justice

Stating that the root of our civilization is based on love, tolerance, right and justice, Erdoğan said, “History is witness to the great struggles we have waged as a nation to make trust, peace, tolerance and prosperity prevail in all the lands we conquered. Today, with the inspiration we received from our ancestors, we are struggling to make our homeland and every place where we fly our flag a home of safety and well-being." Emphasizing that "Malazgirt is the most important bearing column at the beginning of the bridge we built from the past," Erdoğan added that they want to turn 2071, the thousandth anniversary of the Malazgirt Victory, into the second major pillar of this bridge.

A new rise that embraces all that belongs to the east and the west

Erdoğan added, “Türkiye, as today's heir to the great civilization heritage that embraces all that belongs to the east and west, is in a new rise. We are determined to bring this breakthrough, inspired by our glorious past, to the world of half a century and a century later, to victory, together with our youth. This is never empty animosity, arrogant boasting, a romantic nostalgia. On the contrary, it is the truth itself. Because there is no other nation in the world that has left its mark on such a wide area, with its martyrdoms, monuments, mosques and many historical artifacts.”

The future is ours

Referring to the breaking points in our history, Erdoğan stated that “I want to repeat it once again here. The 100th anniversary of our Republic is also ours, the 600th anniversary of the Conquest of Istanbul is ours, the 1000th anniversary of the Malazgirt Victory is ours, and the 1500th anniversary of the Hijra is ours. The future, with its technology, innovation and artificial intelligence, is also ours just as the past, with our conquests, our scientists, our people of heart, the works we have embraced, revived and built. Because we are a nation that has not escaped from any responsibility that history has imposed on us, that has not held back from any struggle, that has not avoided any sacrifice, that has not hesitated to put forth its labor and, when necessary, its life. Because we are Türkiye. Because we are the Turkish nation that protects the world's most ancient lands, every inch of it and with all its heritage.”

“We promise once again from Malazgirt.”

Erdoğan declared, “We promise once again from Malazgirt, the zero point of our history in Anatolia, we will not consent to the disruption of the goal of a great and strong Türkiye.” Erdoğan stated that they will not separate Türkiye from its goals for 2023 and its vision of 2053 and 2071, that they will not let the hopes of our youth be dashed.

“The light I see in your eyes in Malazgirt shows that I am not alone in my feelings.”

Erdoğan said, “The light I see in your eyes here in Malazgirt shows that I am not alone in my feelings. The trust our nation has shown in its state, which is always by its side, and the foresight it has shown show that I am not alone on the path I am walking." Then, he greeted and left the podium.

--Translated by Sebahattin YESILCINAR