The “Atatürk Library” was inaugurated at the Turkish House to promote and provide access to Turkey’s rich cultural heritage and history for a broader audience in the United States.
The opening ceremony commenced with a moment of silence to honor Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, and all martyrs, followed by the recitation of the National Anthem. A video presentation introducing the Turkish Historical Society (TTK) was screened for the attendees.
The inauguration of the “Atatürk Library,” established through the initiatives of the Turkish Consulate General in New York and the Office of Educational Attaché, was conducted by Turkey’s Standing Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız; Turkey’s Consul General in New York, Reyhan Özgür; President of the Turkish Historical Society (TTK), Prof. Dr. Yüksel Özgen; President of the Atatürk Research Center, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Güner Doğan; and New York Education Attaché, Prof. Dr. Şamil Öçal.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Prof. Dr. Dilşen İnce Erdoğan, a member of the TTK Scientific Board; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Enes Bayraklı from Turkish-German University; Dr. Uğur Cenk Deniz İmamoğlu, TTK Private Secretary; representatives from Turkish schools in New York; students; and numerous citizens.
The library, which was established in response to the needs and requests of the Turkish community in the United States, aims to preserve the cultural heritage of this community and transmit it to future generations. This library contains nearly 4 thousand books.
It features extensive resources encompassing Turkish literature, history, art, and various other disciplines, and is accessible via the New York Education Attaché’s website.
Following the inauguration, a conference titled “The Modernization Process from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic” was held.
“It is very important and a source of pride”
In an interview with AA regarding the inauguration of the “Atatürk Library” at Turkish House, TTK President Prof. Dr. Yüksel Özgen indicated that the Turkish Historical Society (TTK), the Turkish Language Association, the Atatürk Research Center, and the Atatürk Culture Center collectively donated 2,400 volumes to the library.
Özgen emphasized, “The establishment of a library named after Atatürk at Turkish House represents a significant and commendable initiative.”
He recalled that Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk envisioned the goal of “rising to the level of contemporary civilizations” for the Turkish nation, asserting that he identified science, culture, and art as essential guides to achieving this objective. Özgen further stated, “TTK operates under the spiritual protection of Atatürk and under the supervision and control of our President, as stipulated in the Constitution, conducting its activities and initiatives wherever there is a Turkish presence.”
Kaynak: Anadolu Ajansı
