A panel titled "July 15 in the Light of Literature, Narratives, and Spiritual Values," with the theme "The Will is Ours, The Victory is Ours," was held by Düzce University as part of the July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.
Düzce University Rector Prof. Dr. Nedim Sözbir, delivering the opening speech of the program held at the Cumhuriyet Conference Hall, which garnered significant interest, began his address by saying, "Today, we are greatly honored to host our heroic July 15 veterans at our university; I extend my gratitude to them for the courage, sacrifice, and love of country they displayed on that dark night." Stating that on the night of July 15, 2016, our nation penned a great epic, written in golden letters in history, by upholding its national will, democracy, and independence, Rector Sözbir used the expressions, "The spirit of unity and solidarity demonstrated that night became not only a symbol of victory but also of our collective memory, our unwavering faith, and our strong tradition of statehood."
"It is an epic that teaches a lesson to world societies"
Deputy Governor Dr. Ömer Yılmaz stated that our country faced a difficult test on the night of July 15, and our nation successfully passed this test. Emphasizing that July 15, which highlighted the importance of democracy, national will, and social solidarity, is an epic that teaches a lesson to world societies, Yılmaz noted that they commemorated all our martyrs, especially the July 15 martyrs, with respect and gratitude, and wished our veterans blessed and long lives.
Following the opening and protocol speeches, the program proceeded to the panel section. Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Koç, who moderated the panel, stated in his speech titled "Letters as a Way to Keep the July 15 Memory Alive," "July 15 is an indicator of nationhood. It is the declaration that the adhans will not be silenced. It is the registration that the struggle is won not by means, but by faith. It is the day our ancestors forgave their descendants."
Another speaker on the panel, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Lecturer Prof. Dr. İlhan Genç, delivered a speech titled "The Discourse Deception of Religious, National, and Universal Feelings: The FETÖ Organization Example." Giving examples from the May 27, March 12, September 12, and February 28 processes, Genç pointed out that July 15 was a different kind of formation. Analyzing the activities of the FETÖ organization from history to the present, Genç stated that the organization exploited national and religious sentiments and emphasized the importance of enlightening the public and critical thinking.
Another speaker on the panel, Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Onur Er, in his speech titled "The Spirit of July 15 in the Light of the Türkiye Century Education Model," defined July 15 as our nation's determination to uphold its will and democracy, and stated that the Maarif Model is an effort to carry this determination into the future through education and to build character.
"The power that truly sustains a nation is the values upon which it rises"
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 10:12 AM