Çanakkale Geçilmez
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| My picture in Canakkale in front of the statue of Şeyid Ali Çabut. |
It is the end of blessed month of March and I want to start writing the series with the major event that took place in the history of Turkey and it significance to today’s life in Turkey.
‘Çanakkale Geçilmez’ is a Turkish sentence that roughly means ‘Çanakkale is impassable’. The work Çanakkale is pronounce ‘ Chanakalai’ in English Language. It is the name of the capital Çanakkale Province, located in the Northwestern part of Turkey. Similarly to Istanbul, the province has an European (Thrace) and Asian part. Çanakkale is the nearest major town to the site of ancient Troy. The city has a long history and we cannot tell the history of the modern day Turkey without mentioning Çanakkale.
During the First World War, in 1915 (101 years ago), the then Ottoman Empire (Turkey) fought along side Germany and Russia. British Empire and France attempted to capture the Ottoman capital of Istanbul and secure a sea route to Russia but they failed and suffered severe losses. This battle is called the battle of Gallipoli or the Dardanelles Campaign or Gallipoli Campaign or the Canakkale War. The victory the Turks won in that war has being celebrated annually since then. 18th March every year mark the climax of the celebration. İt is celebrated by the government ahd people of Turkey. It is one of the unified celebration in the land. There are several books, poems and movies prepare every year to mark the anniversary. Some of the movies are ‘ Sons of canakkale’, ‘Gallipoli: End of the Road’, ‘Gallipoli’ etc.
They honor the martyr of that war by whose effort and sacrificed they were able to defeat the then time super powers and that by their victory they failed to fall under the colony of any western powers. The national heroes are being cerebrated much in Turkey and if you want to be in peace with Turks don't say any thing bad about their national heroes dead or alive.
In my visit to the battle field I was told that, a lot of youth fought in that war and every family give out one male to represent the family on the battle ground. İt is one of the reason why it is compulsory on any male Turkish graduate to undergo military training and to serve the nation in that capacity for minimum of eight months. For your information the youth are happy to serve the country.
Due to the canakkale war and other events in the country, the government and most NGO are youth centered. Comparing turkey to other countries, Turkey support its youth very much. As an international student you would the opportunity to enjoy some of these supports. The programs of ministry of youth and sport is opened to both nationals and international students.
From what I learnt, the important aftermath of the Canakkale victory is the youth centered approach of the government and people of Turkey and in return the patriotism and the willing of the youth to serve the state any any capacity.
If you come to Turkey, don't forget a trip to Canakkaale; a city along the Aegean sea, peaceful and calm with loving people. And as international student do not forget to take part in the programs organised by the ministry of youth and sports for they will go long way to help you. Should you learn single thing from this writing it should be the Turkish sentence ‘Çanakkale Geçilmez’
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