19 May Commemoration of Atatürk Youth and Sports Day and Audiology Department White Coat Wearing Ceremony

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) Faculty of Health Sciences Audiology, Health Management, Orthotic Prosthesis and Nutrition and Dietetics Departments held an event called "19 May Commemoration of Atatürk Youth and Sports Day and Audiology Department White Coat Wearing Ceremony" on 16 May 2025. The event, where Asst. Prof. A. Yüksel Barut was the speaker, attracted great attention of students, families, lecturers and participants.

With the event organized within the scope of 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, this meaningful day on which Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk went to Samsun and started the National Struggle was celebrated with pride and enthusiasm.
Ther ceremony started with the opening speech of Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Rıfat Mutuş, after silence and the National Anthem.

After the opening speech, Asst. Prof. A. Yüksel BARUT made his presentation:
“Today, we have gathered to commemorate one of the most important turning points in the history of the Turkish Nation, May 19, 1919. This meaningful day is not only the beginning of a liberation movement, but also the day Mustafa Kemal lit the torch of independence with our nation. The hands carrying the torch have changed, but the carried torch has always preserved its immortality. I would like to thank you for joining us and not leaving us alone in carrying this immortal torch and handing it over to those after us. 
Mustafa Kemal said, ''The only magnificent thing about my birth is that I was born as a Turk.'' He defined a leader's denial of his own miracle and integration of his positive qualities with his nation.

When Mustafa Kemal set foot in Samsun on the morning of Monday, May 19, 1919, he had the burden of a tired empire on him, but he had a great belief in his heart that the Turkish Nation would never be a prisoner, that it would tear the darkness and come to light.
Mustafa Kemal wrote his thoughts behind his acceptance of the duty in the section titled "My Decision" in the first part of his work titled "The Great Speech (Nutuk)" as follows: "In fact, at the time we were in, the foundations of the Ottoman Empire had collapsed. The Ottoman homelands were completely torn apart. There was only a fatherland where a handful of Turks lived. The last issue was to deal with the division of this. The Ottoman Empire, its independence, the sultan, the caliph, the government, all these were just some meaningless words that had no meaning. Who and what assistance was requested for the immunity of what and whose? So what would be the serious decision? There was only one decision against this situation. It is to establish a new unconditionally independent Turkish state based on national sovereignty! This was the decision we thought about before leaving Istanbul and we started the drill as soon as we set foot on the Anatolian lands in Samsun. "

Mustafa Kemal, who went to Samsun on May 19, 1919, was addressing not only a geography but also a nation at that moment: "Wake up! * Claim your own destiny!" Mustafa Kemal took his first step not only to Anatolia, but also to the heart of the Turkish nation!
 Mustafa Kemal Pasha always knew: "The Turkish nation is hardworking, the Turkish nation is smart."

Then, on September 4, 1919, Sivas Congress... At the Sivas Congress, Mustafa Kemal actually defined the journey that goes back to the discourse "Either Independence or Death" and the discourse "Armies, your first goal is the Mediterranean. Forward!."
When Asst. Prof. A. Yüksel BARUT said Atatürk addressed you, us, and the youth in the Turkish Grand National Assembly on October 20, 1927;
Students of the Department of Audiology all voiced Atatürk's Address to Youth.

''It is our duty to raise our Republic to above the level of contemporary civilizations! Let us not forget that our material existence is temporary. What is left is only our works. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk left many works behind us during his very short life. Our duty should be to protect and protect the works he has left and to act in accordance with his principles. We commemorate all our heroes, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with mercy, gratitude and respect. We promise to protect our Republic, our independence and our bright future forever...''
After the presentation and speech of Asst. Prof. A. Yüksel Barut, one of the most enthusiastic moments of the event was the Zeibek show staged by our two students. Our students were highly appreciated for their performance. The strong stance and honorable figures of the Zeibek play gave the audience both emotional and proud moments.

The five couples who took the stage after the Zeibek show fascinated the audience with tango, one of Atatürk's favorite dances. The tango show was greatly appreciated for its elegance and harmony. After the tango show, the IGU Youth Choir took the stage. A musical feast full of national anthems, Atatürk's favorite songs and folk songs was presented. Our students gave the audience emotional moments with their strong voices and harmonious performances.
At the end of the ceremony, certificate of attendance and plaques were given to the contributors. Then, 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk Youth and Sports Day event ended.