Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Turkey marks Atatürk Youth Day in Cairo
Turkey’s embassy in
Cairo marked the 107th anniversary of Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports
Day on Tuesday, bringing together Turkish, Egyptian and Palestinian children
and teenagers in a programme focused on peace, culture and sport.
The event commemorates
May 19, 1919, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic,
launched what Ankara describes as the national struggle after landing in
Samsun.
Held in cooperation
with the Yunus Emre Cultural Centre in Cairo, the ceremony opened with the
Turkish and Egyptian national anthems and the reading of a message from Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, organisers said.
Turkey’s Ambassador to
Egypt, Salih Mutlu Sen, addressed the gathering alongside Ankara University
President Necdet Unuvar, who was visiting Egypt to develop ties with
universities, and Naji Naji, a counsellor at the Palestinian embassy in Cairo.
Young participants
staged artistic performances, while attendees were also introduced to and tried
traditional Turkish archery. A ney (reed flute) performance by Sinem Hunduroglu
of the Istanbul State Ensemble for Modern Folk Music, affiliated with Turkey’s
Culture and Tourism Ministry, drew wide praise, according to the organisers.
She had performed the previous day at the Grand Egyptian Museum on the occasion
of International Museum Day. A music group also performed during the event.
In his remarks, Sen
said dedicating the day to Turkish youth meant entrusting the country’s future
to younger generations, adding that he was pleased to see young people come
together through art, sport, culture and solidarity.
He said many
participants aged 14 to 18 from Turkey, Egypt and Palestine were studying
Turkish at the Yunus Emre Cultural Centre, and described the presence of
Egyptian and Palestinian youth as a sign of friendship and brotherhood.
Sen also linked the
occasion to the Palestinian cause, saying “humanity is being tested in Gaza”
and calling it a test of conscience and law. He said Turkey, under Erdogan’s
leadership, would continue to support what he called Palestine’s just cause and
the goal of a free, independent and sovereign Palestinian state.
Turning to sports cooperation, Sen praised Egypt for hosting international competitions and “building bridges of friendship” through sport, noting broad participation by Turkish athletes. He said three Turkish athletes recently won bronze medals at the World Junior Weightlifting Championships held in Ismailia, and voiced hope for stronger momentum ahead.
He called for
increased Turkish-Egyptian cooperation in youth and sports, and cited the
achievements of Egyptian gymnast Adam Asil competing under the Turkish flag.
Sen concluded by
urging young people not to give up on their dreams, saying youth “make the
future,” according to his speech.