pepitopingu's video: 19 May Celebrations in Turkey - 19 Mayis Kutlamalari

Remembrance of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day is celebrated in Turkey on May 19, 2007 as it has been for years to commemorate Ataturk's initiation of the Turkish Independence War on May 19, 1919 when he arrived in Samsun, a beautiful city on the coast of Black Sea in northern Turkey. Ataturk later said that he was born on May 19 to emphasize significance of the day for him - and in fact for all Turks. This year's celebrations are particularly important since the country struggles to maintain its fundamental ideals set forth by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The current Islamic AKP government in Turkey, although perceived successful from the outside, has been consistently undermining the secular structure of the state by using every means it has in its hands as the governing body. Their ultimate goal is to establish an Islamic government in Turkey run by mullahs. Free-spirited Turkish people fed up with AKP's relentless assault on country's secular establishment, have organized several mass protests across Turkey. Millions attended each of these peaceful meetings which were accurately called Festivals of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Mitingi). Many women's organizations led the effort to organize these peaceful protests, which turned into celebrations of the republic, democracy and secularism. Hundreds of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) participated and no political party was allowed to turn them into political rallies. Turks loudly voiced their opposition to running their country based on religious beliefs. Although majority of the participants are Muslim, and respect and practice the Islamic faith, they nevertheless do not want their governments run by religious rules. Fearless Turks showed the world they were not to be told what to do and how to live their lives. Ben ezelden beridir hur yasadim hur yasarim Hangi cilgin bana zincir vuracakmis sasarim The clip uses two quotes by Ataturk. The first is about his claim that he was born on May 19, and the other is his saying: "All of my hopes are on the younger generations." Most of the scenery is from the celebrations held in Ankara and Ataturk's Mausoleum which is also in Ankara. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and his modern and elegant wife host the ceremonies as Head of State. The music is a new version of the Vatan Marsi. VATAN MARŞI Başka bir aşk istemez, aşkınla çarpan kalbimiz, Ey vatan gözyaşların dinsin, yetiştik çünkü biz. Gül ki sen, neş'enle gülsün ay, güneş, toprak, deniz. Ey vatan gözyaşların dinsin, yetiştik çünkü biz. Bir güneştin bir zamanlar, ay kadar kaldındı dün, Dün bir aydın, sislenen boşlukta yıldızsın bugün; Benzin uçmuş bak, ne rüyadır bu akşam gördüğün? Ey vatan gözyaşların dinsin, yetiştik çünkü biz. Beklesin Türkoğlu'nun azminde kuvvet bulmayan, Sel durur, yangın söner elbette bir gün ey vatan, Süslenir, oynar yarin, dün ağlayıp matem tutan, Ey vatan gözyaşların dinsin, yetiştik çünkü biz. Söz: Cemal Edhem Yeşil Beste: Musa Süreyya Schedule of Turkish Cumhuriyet Meetings: Ankara (Tandoğan) - 14 April (Nisan) 2007 Istanbul (Çağlayan) - 29 April 2007 Canakkale - 5 May (Mayis) 2007 Manisa - 5 May 2007 Marmaris - 5 May 2007 Izmir (Alsancak) - 13 May 2007 Samsun - 20 May 2007 Denizli - 26 May 2007