Within the scope of the 26th Tourism Days, organized annually by the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Tourism, a field and culture trip to Ankara-Bolu was organized. As part of the event program, faculty delegation visiting Ankara also paid a meaningful visit to ‘Anıtkabir’, the final resting place of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye.
Organized with the support of Retired Colonel Deniz Çelik, the delegation was also welcomed by the Anıtkabir Command during their visit. The visiting delegation consisted of EMU Acting Dean of Tourism Faculty Assist. Prof. Dr. İlkay Yorgancı, Chair of EMU Community Involvement Center Assist. Prof. Dr. Nazenin Ruso Kandemir, Senior Instructor Mine Adalıer, Specialist Ali Rıza Doğan, Senior Instructors Kurtuluş Özbaşar and Turan Değirmencioğlu, Faculty Administrative Officer Kaan Özkorkut, and students Müjgan Ergüzer and Mahroo Mohamad Sadeghi Ghavim. On behalf of EMU, the group laid a wreath at Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s mausoleum and observed a moment of silence. They also visited the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum, where they learned about historical documents and artefacts that shed light on the history of the Republic.
Following their visit, Acting Dean of the EMU Faculty of Tourism Assist. Prof. Dr. İlkay Yorgancı signed the Anıtkabir Special Registry, stating her feelings:
“Honourable Atatürk,
As the Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts at Eastern Mediterranean University’s Faculty of Tourism, we are deeply honoured and proud to stand in your spiritual presence today.
Raised as young individuals committed to the enlightened path of the Republic you established—guided by science, culture, and universal principles—we fully embrace the responsibility of carrying your legacy forward with determination and awareness.
Through the culinary arts, we are dedicated to preserving and transmitting our nation’s rich cultural heritage to future generations, continuing steadfastly on the path of modern civilization you envisioned.
With endless gratitude and respect, we remember you and vow to follow your path.”
The delegation from EMU Faculty of Tourism highlighted that their visit to Anıtkabir was a significant and heartfelt occasion, during which they reaffirmed their dedication to Republican values, deepened their collective historical consciousness, and shared a strong sense of responsibility in the presence of Atatürk’s legacy.
