Home > Current Affairs News > Cem Gürdeniz shares image of Heybeliada Theological School with note: 'The timing is remarkable': The public must be informed

Cem Gürdeniz shares image of Heybeliada Theological School with note: 'The timing is remarkable': The public must be informed

Retired Rear Admiral Cem Gürdeniz stated in a post regarding the recent striking illumination of the Heybeliada Theological School and the pruning of the trees around it that the timing of this development should be questioned. Gürdeniz argued that these symbolic changes should be evaluated not only from an aesthetic perspective but also within the framework of Turkey's geopolitical agenda and sovereignty sensitivities.

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In a statement on his social media account, Gürdeniz claimed that since last week, the Theological School in Heybeliada has been illuminated to a degree not seen for many years, and that the trees around the school have been pruned in such a way that the structure can be seen from many points on the island.

Stating that the timing of this change is remarkable, Gürdeniz emphasized that the development in question coincides with a period that holds historical significance for Turkey.

"It coincides with critical anniversaries in July"

Pointing out in his post that July contains important historical turning points for Turkey, Gürdeniz recalled that the 103rd anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne, the 90th anniversary of the Montreux Convention, the 100th anniversary of the Cabotage Law, the 87th anniversary of Hatay's accession to the motherland, and the 52nd anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation all fall within the same period.

Touching upon the symbolic importance that Heybeliada has held for Turkish maritime history and the Naval Academy tradition since 1773, Gürdeniz stated that it is natural for such a visible change to raise questions in the public eye.

He recalled the Theological School debates

Gürdeniz argued that when the current size of the Greek Orthodox population in Turkey is taken into account, symbolic steps regarding the Theological School cannot be evaluated merely as an aesthetic arrangement.

Stating that calls from Western countries, led by the USA, and international circles for the reopening of the Heybeliada Theological School have increased recently, Gürdeniz expressed that it is legitimate to question the timing of these images when evaluated together with the diplomatic pressure on Turkey regarding the Eastern Mediterranean, the Aegean, and Cyprus.

He emphasized Western Thrace

In his post, Gürdeniz also touched upon the problems of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority in Greece, stating that criticisms continue regarding the fact that the rights to education and freedom of religion, which are guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne, are not being fully implemented.

Recalling criticisms regarding the decrease in the number of Turkish schools in Western Thrace, the failure to meet demands for bilingual Turkish kindergartens, and the inability of the Muslim Turkish minority to elect their own muftis with their free will, Gürdeniz stated that these issues continue to be voiced on international platforms.

Call for "The public must be informed"

At the end of his statement, Gürdeniz stated that the relevant institutions of the state should carefully evaluate the developments and that it is important for the public to be informed transparently.

Expressing that structures with historical and sovereignty sensitivities cannot be seen only as architectural works, Gürdeniz argued that messages given from such symbolic venues can also carry political and geopolitical meaning.

Here is that post by Gürdeniz: