Yavuzalp's speech on the 95th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey

Nov 01, 2018

Below is the speech of H.E. Sedef Yavuzalp the Turkish Ambassador to Uganda at the commemoration at their Embassy in Kampala Uganda.

OPINION

On Monday, October 29, 2018, The Republic of Turkey of celebrated the 95th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey.

On this day, the Turkish nation pays gratitude to their First President, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and his brothers in arms who gifted that Republic to the nation.

Below is the speech of H.E. Sedef Yavuzalp the Turkish Ambassador to Uganda at the commemoration at their Embassy in Kampala Uganda.

The function was attended by, among others, Uganda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga and Uganda's Minister of State for Tourism, Godfrey Kiwanda.

Tonight I am also bidding all of you farewell, following the conclusion of my five-year tenure in this wonderful country.

Allow me to thank all my Ugandan colleagues and friends for the warm hospitality, friendship and love they have extended to me.

It was certainly reciprocal and I believe that I have tried to humbly do my very best for the interest of both of our countries and people. It was a distinct honor and privilege to serve in Uganda. 

I believe that an important future lies ahead of the great people of Uganda. I will continue to make my personal contributions to Uganda-Turkey relations.

The official Presidential visit from Turkey, the signing of many agreements, the Turkish investors' activities, the opening of the TIKA Program Coordination Office in Kampala, conclusion of the negotiations of some key agreements such as Yunus Emre Cultural Centre and Turcology projects, the many political-level visits on both sides, the progress in the key projects of some Turkish investors, Turkish NGOs' benevolent activities are but some of the happy achievements  in these  recent years.

I would like to thank everyone who made all these possible. I will always cherish  the memories of this beautiful country with pride. 

I would especially extend our appreciation to H.E. the President of Uganda for the good friendship he has for Turkey and our people. We do commend his great vision and leadership focused on empowering Ugandans and transforming the country into a middle class nation by 2020.   

The concept of our National Day is "The Year of Troy". 

As you all know, the Epic of Troy- The Iliad and the Odyssey which form the basis of Western civilization, has inspired great leaders who have shaped the world and changed the course of history, such as Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and   Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

2018 is being celebrated in Turkey and abroad as the Year of Troy. This is the 20th Anniversary of the ancient city of Troy being included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. 

The 4000-year-old Troia Epic is one of the most ancient values of our homeland, Anatolia.  What makes this a very unique and universal value is the fact that it is the unification of war and struggle, of peace and tolerance at the same time.

We come across the collective spirit of Troy time and again in the many different slices of Anatolian history  such as in the Trojan War, Gallipolli Battles, national independence struggle etc. 

The Iliad is one of the rarest epics in the world which has transcended continents to reach all corners of the World, and inspired cultures. 

The archaeological excavations of Troy, which turn dreams into a reality, are considered as one of the most important reference points in terms of contemporary archaeological science. 

The 5000-year-old antique city of Troia is expected to host 700.000 tourists this year, since the Museum of Troy with its rare artefacts has opened its doors to the world in Turkey in 2018.

You can view the ruins of Troy and of Çanakkale on the walls of the garden. I am also inaugurating the painting exhibition in honour of the "Year of Troy".

The same exhibition will be on display in 2 other venues in Kampala: one being Serena Hotel tomorrow evening. 

I would also like to welcome the String Quartet "Ludus Ensemble" tonight who arrived all the way from Istanbul. 

I am proud to continue the W4W spirit by having invited these very talented and inspiring Turkish women, who represent Turkey's cultural richness through music.

All the Ugandan W4W awardees present here tonight, may benefit from their Turkish sisters.

Turkish chefs, 2 of them who have arrived from Turkey, will display Turkey's culinary delights. Please enjoy all of it this evening, tomorrow evening at the Serena Hotel, and the whole week in some of the menus at Serena.

I would like to propose a toast to the good health and happiness of H.E. the President of Uganda.

Long live the Turkish-Ugandan Friendship!

H.E. Sedef Yavuzalp, the Turkish Ambassador to Uganda (Outgoing).

 

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