Turkey commemorates 100th anniversary of Gallipoli victory
GALLIPOLI is a place of significance for Aussies — and even more so for Turks. The nation of 75 million is preparing to celebrate the centenary of its greatest battle.
ANZAC Centenary
Don't miss out on the headlines from ANZAC Centenary. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WITH a movie premiere, a nationalist speech and defiant words Turkey began its Gallipoli commemorations yesterday, marking 100 years since the campaign to capture the peninsula began.
It was on March 18, 1915, that a joint British-French naval force made it way to the Dardanelles Straits separating Europe from Asia in a bid to take Istanbul, then known as Constantinople.
Support from Australian and New Zealander troops backed by Indian, Canadian and some Maltese forces were not far behind and were finalising preparations for a then only potential assault. It was the failure of the naval campaign that prompted the disastrous land assault.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan kicked off an extensive program of commemoration events, describing the battle which would last nine months with tens of thousands dead on both sides as “a turning point”.
“The unity, brotherhood and solidarity displayed in Canakkale — in addition to bringing victory — helped bolster the fighting spirit required especially for our independence war,” he said.
Taking a more strident view and in an at times fiercely nationalist speech, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said it was about unifying the nation.
While attending a ceremony at the town of Canakkale on the Dardanelle Straits, Mr Davutoglu said: “The heritage of the Ottoman soldiers who sacrificed themselves will always be carried by all Turkey”.
He added that Turkey was a force for good in the world, since taking in 1.7 million Syrian refugees fleeing conflict in that country.
“As long as we breathe, the cruel in the world will not be able to sleep peacefully,” he said.
In a later speech at the giant 40-metre high Martyrs’ Memorial, he paid tribute to the quarter million Ottoman troops who took part in the campaign.
“The battle showed that there is nothing stronger than a nation ready to die for their homeland and it is impossible to capture such a nation.”
The ceremonies in Canakkale were yesterday being backed up by a huge number of television documentaries, press articles and films in a clear government-backed drive to emphasise the Gallipoli Campaign as a heroic victory.
Mr Davutoglu was to watch the premiere of a new Turkish blockbuster film “Son Mektup” (”The Last Letter) about a romance between a Turkish pilot and nurse in the campaign as it goes on nationwide release.
A giant billboard promoting the film at the airport in Istanbul is one of the first images visitors can see.
Originally published as Turkey commemorates 100th anniversary of Gallipoli victory
What’s open on Anzac Day?
The public holiday has brought in changed trading times, with many businesses shutting up shop to honour the Anzacs.
How to use your free Virtual Candle
Australians will commemorate Anzac Day from home on Saturday. This is a step-by-step guide to using your free Virtual Candle and other content to Light Up The Dawn.