“The Sivas Congress proclaimed national unity to the world”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has described the Sivas Congress as a historic turning point that brought national forces operating on different fronts in Anatolia together around a common ideal.

In a message marking the congress’s 107th anniversary, Erdoğan said, “The Sivas Congress proclaimed to the entire world that our nation would never submit to occupying powers, and that it was ready to fight by standing firmly united.”

He said the spirit of national unity, solidarity and mutual support that prevailed at the congress remained Turkey’s greatest strength in the face of threats directed at the nation, its flag, homeland and state. Erdoğan also called the determination shown by the Turkish people 107 years ago, despite limited means, a powerful source of motivation for the country’s “Turkey Century” goals.

The president paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal and the other figures involved in the congress, and saluted the people of Sivas and citizens across Turkey. The anniversary was marked with a wreath laid at the Atatürk Monument in Cumhuriyet Square. Actors from the Sivas State Theatre also staged a reenactment at the Atatürk and Congress Museum, watched by Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı from the historic desks in the hall.

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The Sivas Congress proclaimed to the entire world that our nation would never submit to occupying powers, and that it was ready to fight by standing firmly united.