Asfa Holding Board Chairman, Philanthropist and Businessman Asaf Atasoy, published a congratulatory message for the 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

Asfa Holding Board Chairman Asaf Atasoy included the following statements in his message;

“May 19, 1919 is the first step in the struggle for existence and non-existence of our beloved nation, which does not accept captivity, does not give up its freedom, and never bows down to tyranny and oppression.

It is the day when the torch lit by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Samsun with the motto of “Either Independence or Death” was passed from hand to hand, from mouth to mouth, throughout the entire homeland, and the decision to establish a fully independent state based on national sovereignty was put into practice.

Celebrating May 19, one of the important turning points in our history, as Youth and Sports Day is of great importance for our youth, the assurance of our future, to understand, internalize and embrace the spirit of May 19.

Atatürk, who believed that the development and rise of the Republic of Turkey could only be achieved with the faith, diligence and determination of the Turkish youth by protecting national and spiritual values, clearly demonstrated this trust with the words; “Young people! With the education and knowledge you are receiving, you will be the most valuable symbol of human virtue, love of the homeland and freedom of thought. All the hope and future of the homeland depends on you, the understanding and energy of the young generations. Those who set out on the road without resting never ever get tired.”

The Republic of Turkey, which was established as a modern, democratic, secular state governed by the rule of law in the light of the War of Independence that began on May 19, 1919, will achieve its 2053 and 2071 goals and will have a say in the world as a strong country and will exist forever, thanks to the superior efforts and works of our nation and the Turkish youth.

With these feelings and thoughts, I remember with mercy, gratitude and respect all the heroes of the War of Independence, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, our martyrs and veterans; I congratulate our youth, who are the guarantee of our future, and you, our valuable fellow citizens of Erzurum and Istanbul, on the 19th of May, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, and present them with my greetings and respects.

Abdullah Yigit-Istanbul

Last Updated: May 17, 2025