Because 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 reminiscences of the early days of the republic and the memorable moments they shared with the founding father of the nation, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Amongst these exceptional 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 centesimal anniversary, the centenarian residents lately shared their tales with Anadolu Company (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 sometimes journeyed to the town heart 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 practice. Çağman acknowledged, “I noticed Atatürk on his go to to the east in 1936 and he addressed the folks with a short speech.”
Mükremin Çağman speaks to an Anadolu Company (AA) correspondent in Kayseri, Türkiye, Oct. 25, 2023. (AA Picture)
He went on to explain the distinctive environment of the time, saying: “Even should you tried to get nearer, there have been no photographers as we’ve at present. The state was financially constrained. I could not get too shut, however I caught a glimpse from about 20 meters away.”
Remarkably, Çağman remarked that he had witnessed Türkiye’s transformation all through its complete existence as a republic, noting the numerous adjustments the nation has undergone. He highlighted the nation’s ongoing improvement and its essential position 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 he or she retains the reminiscence of him alive by way of pictures displayed on the partitions of her house.
Born on Feb. 6, 1923, in Çayıralan, Gülbahar Okay recollects the difficult circumstances the nation confronted throughout that interval, with poverty prevailing as Atatürk led the declaration of the republic.
Having raised seven kids and sadly dropping two throughout infancy, Okay managed to help her surviving 5 kids by way of exhausting work within the fields and tending to livestock. Although she remained illiterate, her willpower ensured her kids obtained an schooling, a metamorphosis she attributes to Atatürk’s imaginative and prescient.
Expressing her profound love for Atatürk, Okay mirrored, “I maintain nice affection for Atatürk. I by no means had the chance to see him, however there was Brother Mehmet, our neighbor, who would come to our house and proudly declare, ‘I’m one among Atatürk’s troopers.’ It was by way of him that I first felt a connection to Atatürk.”
Mümün Aydın
Aydın, a centenarian resident of İlkadım district in Samsun, holds a novel 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 referred to as Sarışaban township in Greece.
Regardless of going through challenges associated to mobility, listening to and speech, Aydın is a proud mother or father to 4 kids and 9 grandchildren.
Aydın fondly remembers his late spouse, Fatma Aydın, who handed away in 2002. Emotionally, he recited parts of the Nationwide Anthem and the tenth Anniversary Anthem, sharing his cherished reminiscences.
Mümün Aydın, a centenarian resident reveals his ID, Samsun, Türkiye, Oct. 25, 2023. (AA Picture)
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.
Talking 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 guide an impartial life regardless of her age, caring for her personal wants.
Karaboğa, the mom of eight kids, sometimes visits her neighbors, reflecting on the passing of her husband, who left this world 5 many years in the past.
Although she by no means had the chance to see Atatürk in particular person, Karaboğa expresses her contentment at having lived so long as the republic. She emphasizes Atatürk’s pivotal position in shaping the nation, saying, “Atatürk offered us with the whole lot, guiding us by way of each step and that I used to be damaged when Atatürk handed away.”