Asaf Atasoy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asfa Holding and a philanthropic businessman, issued a congratulatory message on the occasion of the May 19th Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day.

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

“We are experiencing the joy of celebrating together as a nation the 107th anniversary of May 19, 1919, which constituted the first step on the road to the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye and changed the destiny of our nation.”

The struggle for independence, initiated by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Samsun on May 19, 1919, represents the rebirth of a nation that was intended to be buried in history, and its march towards a free and prosperous future.

With the War of Independence, the last great struggle we waged for our independence and future, our beloved nation declared its love for its homeland and flag, and its determination to live freely, to the whole world; the process leading to the establishment of our Republic has also served as an example for the independence struggles of other nations.

The torch lit on May 19, 1919, continues to illuminate our path in our struggle to elevate our nation above the level of contemporary civilizations.

Today, keeping these feelings alive is a great responsibility that falls upon all of us, especially the youth to whom Atatürk entrusted the Republic.

Dear young people, the future of the Republic of Türkiye, founded on this land defended at the cost of the lives of our revered martyrs, is entrusted to you, who are raised with this consciousness of independence.

Ensuring that you receive the best possible upbringing and a high-quality education in line with the demands of the modern age is our most important goal as a state and a nation.

Our deep love and devotion to this land and our history, shared in unity and solidarity, and our confidence in the happy and prosperous future we will create together, will bind us even closer as a nation.

We wholeheartedly believe that our youth will work with dedication to carry our Republic, which is entrusted to their care, into the future.

“I commemorate with gratitude and appreciation all our martyrs and veterans, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who entrusted this meaningful day to our youth, and I celebrate the 19th May Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day.”

Abdullah Yiğit – Istanbul

Last Update: May 16, 2026

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