After a moment of silence and the National Anthem, the event started with the videos of July 15 Heroic Epic prepared by Presidency Directorate of Communications and the University.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Osman Nacak and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Bilgenoğlu attended the panel as speakers which was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Can Bakkalcı from the Aydın Faculty of Economics. During the opening speech, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Aydin, drew attention to the political and economic impact of the coups and stated that July 15 Coup Attempt will be imprinted on the memories as an important milestone in the history of Turkish democracy.
“Political Life in Turkey was tested with the Coups”
He started his speech by talking about the activities carried out in the third year of the 15 July Coup Attempt and expressed that the current political life in Turkey was tested with the coups. He stated that “We lived in a state of chaos when political, economic and cultural development of Turkey was considerably hindered. Our country has been tested with coups every 10 years and the development of our country has been severely disrupted.”
“The Night of July 15 is a New Milestone for Turkey"
Considering what happened on the night of July 15 as a milestone, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Aydın pointed out that our country has entered a very serious period since the night of July 15th. He stated that “As a result of the deep traumas of this nation, which has spent the last 50 years grappling with military coups, political crises and economic struggles, the July 15 social reflex brought a new awakening.
July 15 Coup Attempt will be imprinted on the memories as an important milestone in the history of Turkish democracy. In this coup attempt, our noble nation, using its preferences for democracy and freedom, took to the streets at the expense of their lives and united against the coup.”.
Following the speech made by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Aydin, Assoc. Dr. Ahmet Can Bakkalcı clarified the socio-economic aspects of the coups since the Ottoman Empire. Assoc. Dr. Ahmet Can Bakkalcı expressed that Patrona Halil Rebellion was supported by tradesmen for economic reasons and any coup which is not supported by the public cannot be successful and cannot survive for a long time.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Bilgenoglu pointed out that there was an economic crisis before the coup, and that the Decree of Muharram in 1875 resulted in the abdication of Sultan Abdulaziz in 1876. He drew attention to the socio-economic aspect of the coups by highlighting the fact that the first devaluation in the history of the Republic took place in 1958 and immediately after the 1960 coup, and that the September 12 coup occurred after 24 January 1980 decisions. He emphasized that we were able to reach our national income again in 1974, which was 594 dollars on 27 May 1960, and that 14 years was a major loss for our country.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Osman Nacak stated that the July 15 coup attempt strengthened our nation's sense of owning the country, the land and the will and realized that it was the source of the real power. Referring to the fact that July 15 was a milestone in terms of transition to an organized society, he added that it is necessary to review merits and justice after July 15.
At the end of the event, Deputy Governor Ömer Faruk Günay and Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Aydın gave Certificate of Appreciation and the university gift package to the participators.
