A program was organized at the Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, on the occasion of the 103rd anniversary of the adoption of the National Anthem, 18 March Martyrs' Memorial Day and the 109th anniversary of the Çanakkale Naval Victory.

Türkiye's Ambassador in Belgrade Hami Aksoy and YEI Belgrade Coordinator Dinser Şahin, as well as institute trainees and guests, attended the event.

In his speech at the event, Ambassador Aksoy said that the Çanakkale Naval Victory was one of the turning points in Turkish history.

“Those who witnessed our war started their own national struggle.”

Stating that those who risked death for independence changed the course of history in Çanakkale, Aksoy said:

"It has been proven to the whole world that there is no force or weapon that can stand against a nation determined to protect its homeland and nationality at the expense of its life in Çanakkale. The struggle in Çanakkale under the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Atatürk became an epic heralding the War of Independence and the establishment of our Republic. The Turkish nation, "He has proven to the whole world what he can achieve when it comes to freedom and the future. This victory has been a source of inspiration for many people living in captivity, and those who witnessed Çanakkale and our War of Independence started their own national struggle."

Aksoy explained that the Çanakkale Victory was a common victory for millions from the Balkans to Africa, from Europe to Asia.

Stating that they also celebrated the 103rd anniversary of the adoption of the National Anthem, Ambassador Aksoy said, "The words of Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the poet of our National Anthem, 'May God not let this nation write the National Anthem again' is perhaps the most meaningful description of our War of Independence. As part of 18 March Commemoration of Martyrs Day, we gratefully commemorate our colleagues who were martyred due to terrorist attacks while serving abroad." said.

Aksoy noted that they commemorated former Belgrade Ambassador Galip Balkar on the 41st anniversary of his martyrdom on March 11, with the participation of Moscow Ambassador Tanju Bilgiç.

In the program, Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Belgrad Military Attaché Colonel Barış Katırcılar gave his presentation about the Gallipoli Wars, explaining the causes, results and importance of the war in history.

An exhibition consisting of photographs of the areas where the Gallipoli Wars took place was also opened in the garden of YEI.