On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., the 105th “Kocadere Village Martyrs’ Commemoration Ceremony,” held in Kocadere Village, part of the Çınarcık district of Yalova, took place with a large turnout. The program began with a procession formed by participants gathered in front of Kocadere Elementary/Middle School, which proceeded to the martyrs’ memorial, and continued with an official ceremony held at the memorial.
The program began with a wreath-laying ceremony. This was followed by a moment of silence and the recitation of the Turkish National Anthem.
As the ceremony continued with a recitation from the Quran, a speech highlighting the significance of the day emphasized the historical importance of the Kocadere martyrs and their place in the national memory. In the official addresses, the focus was on the concept of martyrdom in Turkish history, the continuity of the defense of the homeland, and the value such commemoration programs hold for societal consciousness. In the later part of the program, students recited poems, creating emotionally charged moments.
Our Department Chair, Prof. Dr. Oktay Özgül, and our Department Vice Chair, Dr. Cihan Yalvar, also attended the commemoration program and participated in the ceremony.
This participation, significant in terms of representing the academic community, was regarded as a contribution to keeping historical awareness alive both in the field and on the societal level.
The program, organized under the coordination of the Kocadere Village Council and the Çınarcık District Governor’s Office, concluded with refreshments served to the participants following the ceremony. This meaningful commemoration left a lasting impression as a testament to the strong bond between the past and the present and the deep sense of loyalty and respect for the martyrs.
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