The Launch Event of belleklerde15temmuz.com Took Place

Speaking at the belleklerde15temmuz.com launch event, TÜRGEV Chairwoman Dr. Fatmanur Altun shared the following information about the project:

What do we aim to achieve with this project as TÜRGEV?

We launched the "In Memories: July 15" project to move July 15 beyond a narrow framework and record it as a significant experience in our country’s history. According to many studies, on that night, there were not hundreds or thousands but millions of people on the streets. Each of these individuals bore witness to history that night. What happened on the night of July 15 was a turning point not only for our country but also for world history.

We believe that July 15 has not been adequately told, and that people need to know more about that night. For this to happen, we believe it is necessary to record the testimony of everyone who lived through that night.

July 15 was a monumental, revolutionary event. We attach great importance to the testimonies of those who experienced it, not only as part of our national heritage but also as part of humanity’s collective memory.

Another motivation behind this project was the narrative, repeatedly put forward by the coup’s planners over the last three years, that July 15 was “theater.” That night, millions took to the streets, hundreds were martyred, and thousands were wounded. This was a true epic. Since it could not be erased, they sought to discredit it, relying on the fact that human memory is fallible, and to portray it as a staged event. The goal was to tarnish and belittle the epic, erase it from history if possible, and even blame those who wrote it. Those responsible knew they had suffered a crushing defeat.

Recognizing this effort, we want to record the memories of July 15 witnesses while they are still alive and those memories are fresh, so that this epic can never be discredited, erased, or diminished  and so it will live forever.

As a youth foundation, we also know that many young people took to the streets that night. It is important for them to share their experiences with their peers because this demonstrated great awareness and national consciousness. These young people defied the “apolitical, self-centered youth” label.

Our belief in our youth is very strong. We trust them and know the future of our country rests on their shoulders. That is why we want to present them with the best examples. This is the greatest motivation behind TÜRGEV’s involvement in this project.

Questions & Answers from the meeting:

Q: You based the project on the fact that the coup’s planners called July 15 “theater.” Is the goal to prevent this by having everyone who was on the streets write about their experiences?
Dr. Altun: We know millions took to the streets that night, and just as many stayed home praying and anxiously waiting. The entire nation beat as one heart until morning. People resisted tanks and weapons with their bare hands, creating perhaps the greatest epic in human history in a single night. While we are still hearing the stories of our martyrs and veterans with many acts of heroism still untold we want to continue recording them. We hope the stories of our martyrs will be reflected in our cultural life as poems, films, and novels, and that everyone who lived through that night will have their testimonies recorded. When future generations look back, they should be astonished at the greatness of this epic. Personal testimony is unmatched by any document or statement. You can challenge a historical fact with documents or scholarly opinions, but no ideology or perspective can override a personal eyewitness account. Our people lived through this great night   let it be recorded so its magnitude is forever known.

Q: What should those who wish to share their testimonies on the site do?
Dr. Altun: Millions of people have unique stories from that night, often told in friendly gatherings. We don’t want these stories to remain in private conversations and be forgotten.

By visiting the “From Memories to Archives: July 15” website, they can send their records to us through the contact page or email, write and submit their own accounts, or request to participate in an oral history interview so we can record and upload them to the site. TÜRGEV invites everyone to share their experiences there. We believe these shared experiences will be a great legacy for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.