950th Anniversary Celebration Events of Manzikert Victory

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) participated in the events of the 950th Anniversary of the Manzikert Victory under the Erenler Sofrası Ahlat program, and presented local delicacies from Turkey to the visitors in 7 tents.

Anniversary events held in Ahlat, Bitlis were held in the Nation's Garden in the Çarho where the 1071 Sultan Alparslan Ahlat Otağ (Tent) was established. Visitors toured the tents of the participating countries and municipalities, and watched the plays. In the tents of Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Kazakhstan established by TİKA as part of the Erenler Sofrası Ahlat program, visitors tasted the local delicacies of the countries.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Minister of Justice Abdülhamit Gül also visited the tents where both the local tastes and cultures of the countries were promoted.

Miniatures of Ahmet Yesevi Tomb (Kazakhstan), Sultan Sencer Tomb (Turkmenistan) and Bilge Tonyukuk Inscription (Mongolia), which shed light on Turkish history, TİKA has restored and entrusted to future generations, were also presented to the visitors in the tents.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the Ahlat event area as part of the anniversary celebration of the Manzikert Victory in Ahlat, Bitlis. Erdoğan said: "We will no longer allow anyone or any power to cause losses to our country, our nation and our youth."

During his visit to the event area in Ahlat, President Erdoğan made a speech about the 950th anniversary of the Manzikert Victory. Wishing the 950th anniversary of the Manzikert Victory to be auspicious, Erdoğan said, "We are once again in Ahlat to bear witness to the epic of those who forged iron with iron, and spreading love to Anatolia."

Erdoğan said that he commemorates all the martyrs, veterans and heroes who opened the doors of Anatolia to the Turkish nation, and who sacrificed their lives for this land to become a homeland, with mercy, gratitude and compassion. He added that he also commemorates all the great people who served the nation at every level, worked hard and won hearts, beginning with Sultan Alparslan, the conqueror of Anatolia, the glorious commander of the epic of Manzikert.

Ahlat Mayor Abdulalim Mümtaz Çoban also thanked the citizens who participated in the events and noted that they hosted very important guests in the district. Çoban said, "We are at the place where Sultan Alparslan delivered the Friday sermon, prayed and tied the tail of his horse," and added: "We built our Nation's Garden here and set up our tent in memory of Sultan Alparslan. 10 countries participated here through TİKA and there are participants from 81 cities. We met in Ahlat to build unity and peace like a thousand years ago. We continue to be united here as well. No one will harm the unity and well-being of this nation. Our indivisible integrity continues as the most important issue and priority of each individual of our nation."