As the Republic of Türkiye celebrates its centenary, senior residents throughout the nation, a few of whom are as previous because the nation itself, are recounting their vivid recollections of the early days of the republic and the memorable moments they shared with the founding father of the nation, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Among these outstanding people are 100-year-old residents Mükremin Çağman of Kayseri and Gülbahar Okay from Yozgat, in addition to Mümün Aydın and Gülsüm Karaboğaboth, born in 1923. In honor of the republic’s a hundredth anniversary, the centenarian residents just lately shared their tales with Anadolu Agency (AA).
Mükremin Çağman
Çağman conveyed that the declaration of the republic ushered in newfound rights and freedoms throughout many domains. He emphasised the profound love and enthusiasm with which Atatürk was welcomed by the general public, underscoring the societal progress throughout this transformative period.
Çağman fondly reminisced about his childhood in Kayseri’s Felahiye district, the place he often journeyed to the town middle to go to his sister and engaged within the sale of flour, chickpeas and molasses. He vividly recalled an encounter with Atatürk when the chief arrived in Kayseri by prepare. Çağman acknowledged, “I saw Atatürk on his visit to the east in 1936 and he addressed the people with a brief speech.”
He went on to explain the distinctive environment of the time, saying: “Even if you tried to get closer, there were no photographers as we have today. The state was financially constrained. I couldn’t get too close, but I caught a glimpse from about 20 meters away.”
Remarkably, Çağman remarked that he had witnessed Türkiye’s transformation all through its total existence as a republic, noting the numerous modifications the nation has undergone. He highlighted the nation’s ongoing improvement and its essential function amongst Islamic states.
Gülbahar Okay
Okay, residing within the Çayıralan district of Yozgat, preserves her deep admiration for Atatürk, a determine she by no means had the prospect to see throughout her lifetime. Her first encounter together with his identify got here from a neighbor, and she or he retains the reminiscence of him alive by means of images displayed on the partitions of her dwelling.
Born on Feb. 6, 1923, in Çayıralan, Gülbahar Okay remembers the difficult circumstances the nation confronted throughout that interval, with poverty prevailing as Atatürk led the declaration of the republic.
Having raised seven youngsters and sadly dropping two throughout infancy, Okay managed to help her surviving 5 youngsters by means of arduous work within the fields and tending to livestock. Though she remained illiterate, her willpower ensured her youngsters obtained an schooling, a change she attributes to Atatürk’s imaginative and prescient.
Expressing her profound love for Atatürk, Okay mirrored, “I hold great affection for Atatürk. I never had the opportunity to see him, but there was Brother Mehmet, our neighbor, who would come to our home and proudly declare, ‘I am one of Atatürk’s soldiers.’ It was through him that I first felt a connection to Atatürk.”
Mümün Aydın
Aydın, a centenarian resident of İlkadım district in Samsun, holds a singular story as he, alongside together with his mom and siblings, arrived in Türkiye in 1924 as a part of a inhabitants trade from the village of İnceyiz, previously generally known as Sarışaban township in Greece.
Despite dealing with challenges associated to mobility, listening to and speech, Aydın is a proud mother or father to 4 youngsters and 9 grandchildren.
Aydın fondly remembers his late spouse, Fatma Aydın, who handed away in 2002. Emotionally, he recited parts of the National Anthem and the tenth Anniversary Anthem, sharing his cherished recollections.
Aydın additionally recounted a childhood encounter with Atatürk throughout a go to to Samsun, expressing the nostalgia of grand celebrations on Republic Days previously, the place rural residents enthusiastically joined city-center festivities.
Highlighting the hardships of the previous, Aydın affirmed the sense of peace of their lives and the profound affect of Atatürk, who, in his phrases, “saved them” by bringing them from Greece.
Speaking about his father’s historical past, Selahattin Aydın, Mümün Aydın’s son, shared that he holds deep affection for Atatürk and takes nice delight in being as previous because the republic itself.
Gülsüm Karaboğa
Karaboğa, a resilient 100-year-old residing within the city of Yazıcık in Tokat, continues to steer an unbiased life regardless of her age, caring for her personal wants.
Karaboğa, the mom of eight youngsters, often visits her neighbors, reflecting on the passing of her husband, who left this world 5 many years in the past.
Though she by no means had the chance to see Atatürk in individual, Karaboğa expresses her contentment at having lived so long as the republic. She emphasizes Atatürk’s pivotal function in shaping the nation, saying, “Atatürk provided us with everything, guiding us through every step and that I was broken when Atatürk passed away.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com