The promotional meeting for the commemorative events to be held for the 955th anniversary of the Battle of Malazgirt was held in Tokat. The events, organized by the Archers Foundation under the auspices of the Presidency, will take place between August 23 and 26.
The meeting at the Tokat Gök Medrese was attended by Tokat Governor Abdullah Köklü, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazgı, AK Party Tokat deputies Mustafa Arslan, Cüneyt Aldemir, and Yusuf Beyazıt, Rector of the National Defense University Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu, World Ethnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan, Archers Foundation President Hüseyin Topbaş, and provincial protocol members.
Speaking at the meeting, Bilal Erdoğan said that Ahlat and Malazgirt should be considered not only as historical sites but as centers that explain the vision of civilization. Erdoğan stated that the commemorative programs aim to strengthen historical consciousness, geographical awareness, and a sense of unity among young people.
''1071 AND 1915 PRESENT THE SOLUTIONS FOR OUR NEXT THOUSAND YEARS''
Erdoğan stated that the thousand-year existence in Anatolia has been maintained with an understanding of brotherhood, unity, and solidarity, saying, "Malazgirt and Çanakkale represent the two ends and the two sides of Anatolia's history, 1071 and 1915. These two legacies actually present the solutions for our next thousand years."
Erdoğan argued that the same spirit was also seen in the nation's stance on July 15. Touching upon current developments in his speech, Erdoğan said, "When we think about all of these, we see that the seeds of them all were sown in Ahlat and Malazgirt."
Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazgı drew attention to Tokat's importance in the process of the Turkification and Islamization of Anatolia. Yazgı said that works such as the Gök Medrese, the Yavuz Asan Medrese, and the Great Mosque (Ulucami) are living witnesses to this historical legacy.
Archers Foundation President Hüseyin Topbaş also stated that they aim to pass on the spirit of Malazgirt to young people and future generations through these events. Topbaş noted that the program will include archery, equestrian sports, cultural activities, and efforts aimed at environmental awareness.
News Source: 12punto
