Speech by Consul General Emre Engin at the ANZAC Day Dawn Ceremony held at the Australian Compound

Emre Engin 25.04.2023
Distinguished Colleagues,
Dear members of the Australian and New Zealand communities,

We have gathered here this morning to remember our heroes and to commemorate our common suffering at the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915.

This Anzac Day Dawn Service, like others that are taking place all around the world today epitomizes one of those rare times in the history of mankind where the strength of friendship overcame the urge for hatred and where the wisdom of reconciliation conquered the primal instinct of revenge.

For more than 8 months our patriots braved in the hills and trenches of Gallipoli where they stood up to the unmatched devastation of brutal and intense battles. Through this ceremony this morning, we honour each and every one of them, and recognize their peerless legacy of heroism.

The Gallipoli campaign or as we call it “the Victory of Çanakkale” had gone down the annals of history not only as one the most brutal fronts of the Great War, but also as a battle front of comradeship, courage and chivalry that totally redefined the course of the history of nations that fought it.

While we pay tribute and honour our forefathers who have sacrificed their lives for their countries here; in a couple of hours thousands of New Zealanders and Australians who have travelled to Türkiye will be witnessing a very special Dawn Ceremony at the Anzac Cove with their Turkish friends. They will have a truly emotional experience of treading on the land that brought our forefathers together in the opposing sides of a bloody war. Hopefully this will be an experience that will show them not only the agony and grief this war caused but also the transformational power of compassion, forgiveness and friendship that has come to define the spirit of this special day.

In this regard, I feel pride and happiness to be here as the representative of the country that has become both the eternal resting place and home for not only those who gave their lives to defend it, but for all heroes who shed their blood in our lands.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, our national leader and founder of the Republic of Türkiye was one of the Turkish commanders of the front who witnessed first-hand the ultimate sacrifices of thousands of soldiers and developed a deep admiration, respect and compassion for the young ANZACs.

Today after 108 years, his solemn pledge to the mothers of these soldiers still stand as an everlasting testament to the friendship between our people and our countries.

“Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives …
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore, rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours.
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”

Atatürk

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