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Gallipoli Peninsula and the Dardanelles
from space
Australian cemetery at Lone Pine, Gallipoli Peninsula
APRIL 25th
On April 25th, dawn services at Gallipoli remember the 500,000 men who died or were wounded here during World War I.
The World War I battle for control of the Dardanelles (Hellespont) strait was fought mainly on Turkey's Gallipoli peninsula, with appalling casualties. Around 100,000 were killed and 400,000 wounded during the nine-month campaign (1915-1916).
Invading armies and navies have coveted the strategic Dardanelles strait since the days of the Trojans because it controls sea traffic between the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Aegean/Mediterranean. It's also the key to Istanbul: warships could conquer the city if they could get through the Dardanelles.
The British navy wanted very much to get its battleships through the Dardanelles and attack Constantinople to knock the Ottoman Empire, an ally of the Central Powers, out of the war.
Ottoman forces, some of whom were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal (later Atatürk) knew that if they did, it might mean the conquest of their country.
Today, the Gallipoli battlefields are silent, preserved as a national park strewn with marble and bronze monuments, among the most emotionally touching places to visit in Turkey.
Public Domain Map of Turkish forces at
Gallipoli, April 1915. Click to view full size.
(57KB, MIME type: image/png)
A fascinating Australian website with lots of information about the Gallipoli campaign. Includes an audio guided tour, and don't miss the animated maps of the gravesites.
Gallipoli Anzac Helles Suvla - Photos of Gallipoli (Gelibolu) then and now, a dictionary of Anzac slang, and some unusual photos of devices designed to fool the enemy.
Gallipoli Wars - An account of the Gallipoli landings, and some earlier events in the war, from a Turkish perspective.
Battle of Gallipoli - Wikipedia article, tons of links!
04/20/06
NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY AND CHILDREN'S DAY
APRIL 23rd
Every year on April 23 the children in Turkey celebrate “National Sovereignty and Children’s Day” as a national holiday. Schools participate in week-long ceremonies marked by performances in large stadiums watched by the entire nation. Among the activities, the children send their representatives to replace state officials and high-ranking bureaucrats in their offices. The President, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and provincial governors all turn over their positions to the children’s representatives. These children, in turn, sign executive orders relating to educational and environmental policies. On this day, the children also replace the parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly and hold a special session to discuss matters concerning children's issues.
APRIL 23rd
Every year on April 23 the children in Turkey celebrate “National Sovereignty and Children’s Day” as a national holiday. Schools participate in week-long ceremonies marked by performances in large stadiums watched by the entire nation. Among the activities, the children send their representatives to replace state officials and high-ranking bureaucrats in their offices. The President, Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and provincial governors all turn over their positions to the children’s representatives. These children, in turn, sign executive orders relating to educational and environmental policies. On this day, the children also replace the parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly and hold a special session to discuss matters concerning children's issues.
INTERNATIONAL DAY
Over the last two decades, Turkish officials have been exerting extensive efforts in order that this day be celebrated internationally. Their efforts have resulted in a large number of countries sending groups of children to Turkey to participate in the said festivities. During their stay in Turkey, the foreign children are housed in Turkish homes and find the opportunity to meet Turkish children. They learn about each other's countries and cultures. The groups of foreign children also participate in the special session held at the Grand National Assembly, which results in a truly international Assembly where children pledge their commitment to international peace and brotherhood. The importance of April 23 as a special day of children has been recognized by the international community. UNICEF has also made the decision to declare this important day “International Children’s Day”.
04/09/06
04/09/06
Dolmabahçe Palace Turns 150
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
ISTANBUL – The 150th anniversary of the opening of Dolmabahçe Palace, which is among Istanbul's most unique historic places, will be celebrated with various activities.
The program was announced on Monday by Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç. An anniversary evening, an international symposium, exhibitions, concerts, and painting and photography competitions are among the activities that will take place throughout the year.
Noting that the palace was opened on June 7, 1856 Arınç said the evening of June 7 would be one of the most spectacular activities of the 150th year celebrations. He stated that national palaces have been affiliated with Parliament since the time of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and added: “I’m proud to be the speaker of the assembly responsible for keeping our cultural inheritance alive. We hope that Dolmabahçe Palace’s 150th anniversary celebration program will be a reflection of the culture of our civilization.”
Dolmabahçe Palace, where the Ottoman sultans lived and Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died, has 285 rooms and 43 halls. It is surrounded by an elaborate garden, and there is a ballroom located at its center.
The palace can be visited on specified days of the week.
Turkishpress.com
For a wonderful photo album showing the grounds and interior of the palace, click here.
3/28/2006
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The program was announced on Monday by Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç. An anniversary evening, an international symposium, exhibitions, concerts, and painting and photography competitions are among the activities that will take place throughout the year.
Noting that the palace was opened on June 7, 1856 Arınç said the evening of June 7 would be one of the most spectacular activities of the 150th year celebrations. He stated that national palaces have been affiliated with Parliament since the time of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and added: “I’m proud to be the speaker of the assembly responsible for keeping our cultural inheritance alive. We hope that Dolmabahçe Palace’s 150th anniversary celebration program will be a reflection of the culture of our civilization.”
Dolmabahçe Palace, where the Ottoman sultans lived and Turkish Republic founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died, has 285 rooms and 43 halls. It is surrounded by an elaborate garden, and there is a ballroom located at its center.
The palace can be visited on specified days of the week.
Turkishpress.com
For a wonderful photo album showing the grounds and interior of the palace, click here.
3/28/2006
View May 2006 Archive Back to popupNews Archive home Back to popupNews home Back to e-Citadel home