On Sunday, November 10, 2024, we commemorated the founder of our Republic, our eternal commander-in-chief, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with longing and respect on the 86th anniversary of his passing.
At the ceremony held on Sabancı University Tuzla Campus on the occasion of November 10 Atatürk Commemoration Day, our respect and gratitude for the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was expressed with a meaningful event. The ceremony began with a slide show of impressive photographs from different periods in Atatürk's life and continued with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem at 09:05. The opening and closing speeches of the ceremony were made by Prof. Dr. Meltem Müftüler-Baç, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. During the ceremony, it was emphasized how important a legacy Atatürk's visionary leadership was for the Republic of Turkey.
In this meaningful ceremony held on the 101st anniversary of the Republic, Prof. Dr. Meltem Muftüler-Baç touched upon the role Atatürk played in the development of Turkey as a modern state governed by the rule of law, and said, “When we look at the geography around us, we understand much better how far-sighted Atatürk was when establishing the Republic.” Emphasizing that the structure of the Republic based on gender equality and the rule of law is an important gain for Turkey, Mufti-Baç then gave the floor to President Yusuf Leblebici.
In his speech at the ceremony, President Yusuf Leblebici reiterated Sabancı University’s commitment to Atatürk’s legacy based on science and reason, and stated that the university is continuously progressing towards the goal of a modern, contemporary society. Quoting Atatürk’s words, “My spiritual heritage is science and reason,” President Lebici stated that in line with this legacy, the university does not only provide education based on knowledge, but also encourages free thought, critical perspective, and creative ideas. He emphasized that in light of this legacy, the university aims to both educate individuals who achieve academic success and to turn its graduates into global citizens who will benefit society. President Leblebici concluded his speech with the following words, “At Sabancı University, we are doing our best to raise generations with free thought, free wisdom, and free conscience on the path of contemporary civilization shown by Atatürk,” and invited Dr. Banu Turnaoğlu Açan, Visiting Professor of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, to the stage to make her presentation.
Turnaoğlu Açan, an academic specializing in Turkish Republicanism, addressed Atatürk not only as a political leader but also as a charismatic leader capable of uniting a nation facing great challenges, and emphasized the importance of understanding Atatürk’s leadership in this respect, in a presentation titled “The Legacy of a Charismatic Leader: Atatürk and Republicanism.”
In her presentation, Turnaoğlu Açan, who set out from Max Weber’s theory of charismatic leadership, emphasized Atatürk’s ability to foresee the needs of the people and develop a vision in line with these needs. Stating that Atatürk took decisive steps with the aim of uniting Turkish society on the path to independence and building a modern Turkey, Dr. Turnaoğlu Açan touched on Atatürk’s radical vision for the Republic of Turkey, which he built on the foundations of independence, secularism, national sovereignty, and civic virtue. Stating that this vision was not merely a political project but aimed for a radical transformation of social and cultural values, Dr. Turnaoğlu Açan supported her statements with historical examples and quotes from Atatürk’s own writings.
Turnaoğlu Açan, who presented a very comprehensive review, addressed the concept of the republic from a broad perspective, stating that the republic is not just a form of government, but a set of values that encourage individual rights, freedoms and social progress. She also explained that Atatürk's understanding of republicanism inspired not only Turkey but also anti-imperialist movements around the world, and that Atatürk's vision gained a global dimension in this respect.
This meaningful ceremony was a great source of inspiration for all participants, as it reminded them once again of Atatürk's ideas and the values of the Republic.