The Spirit of Gallipoli Was Revived with the 'Memed' Concert

The “Memed” concert, organized in collaboration between Karatay Municipality and our University, brought the meaning and spirit of the 18 March Gallipoli Victory to art lovers. The heartbeat of culture and art resonated through folk songs infused with love for the homeland. Held at the Mevlana Cultural Center, the concert offered the audience deeply moving moments, with a powerful 54-member choir delivering an unforgettable musical experience. During the program, folk songs reflecting the spirit of Gallipoli, heroism, patriotism, and the deep traces of Anatolia were performed. Iconic pieces such as “Çanakkale İçinde”, “Çırpınırdın Karadeniz”, “Hoş Gelişler Ola”, and “Bu Bayrak” connected the audience to a shared sense of history and national pride. Conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soner Algı, the concert honored the unparalleled struggle at Gallipoli and commemorated the sacred memory of the martyrs. The audience, filling the hall, occasionally joined in the singing, creating heartfelt moments throughout the evening. Prof. Dr. Mürsel Biçer, Dean of the Ahmet Keleşoğlu Faculty of Education, emphasized in his speech that the 18 March Gallipoli Victory was not merely a military achievement, but a monumental epic written with faith, courage, and sacrifice. Highlighting that Gallipoli symbolizes the rebirth of a nation from its ashes, he stated: “Our heroes, who sacrificed their lives for the homeland declaring ‘Gallipoli is impassable,’ are the greatest guarantee of our independence.” Dean Biçer also drew attention to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s command, “I order you to die,” as a testament to the unwavering determination of that era, noting that this spirit remains a vital heritage for the nation today. Concluding his speech, he expressed gratitude and respect for all martyrs, especially Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, wishing that the concert would honor and celebrate the spirits of these sacred heroes.