Mayor Eşki Highlights His Identity as an “Uncompromising Kuvayı Milliyeci”

The İzmir branches of the Atatürkist Thought Association (ADD) came together at the historic Belkahve Ata Memorial House, one of the symbolic sites of the national struggle, hosted by Bornova Municipality as part of the September 9 celebrations. Speaking at the special gathering, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki said, “I am an uncompromising and unadorned Kuvayı Milliyeci,” while ADD Bornova Branch Chairperson Mübeccel Timaç expressed her gratitude for the cooperation and support provided by the municipality.

Emphasis on Kemalist Youth at the Historic Site

Referring to the significance of the Belkahve Ata Memorial House, where Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk watched the liberation of İzmir and witnessed the historic victory, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki said he was deeply honored to be there. Recalling that he had grown up within the ADD community, Mayor Eşki said:

“We are at a place that is very valuable and sacred to us. This is the first place where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and our army drank that sweetened coffee after achieving victory. I also said this at a meeting I attended previously: as a Kemalist who grew up within this movement, one of the most important criteria by which I measure my own success is the contribution I can make to the Atatürkist Thought Association, where I was raised.”

“We Must Protect Our National Values and Holidays”

Expressing his happiness that the Bornova ADD had gained a new branch headquarters in a historic mansion worthy of the association, Mayor Eşki emphasized that he had been a member of the organization since the age of 18 and said:

“Within our institution, we have made full participation in all official national holidays, ceremonies, and November 10 commemorations mandatory. Because if we do not uphold these values here today, we cannot properly explain them to society. I am an uncompromising, unadorned Kuvayı Milliyeci. Until the very end and under all circumstances, I will continue to stand by your side as a soldier of the association.”

“İzmir’s Atatürkist Community Produces Effort, Not Personal Gain”

In a striking analysis of the people of İzmir’s approach to Atatürkism and politics, Eşki said that those who embrace the Kemalist mantle do not pursue personal interests. Stating that self-sacrifice lies at the heart of İzmir’s political and social identity, Eşki said:

“Millions of people in İzmir begin the sentence when describing themselves by saying, ‘I am an Atatürkist.’ They do not engage in other calculations; they ask themselves, ‘What can I contribute?’ When you wear that mantle, society embraces you as one of its own children. But if you forget where you came from, you will be forgotten.”

ADD Thanks Mayor Eşki

ADD Bornova Branch Chairperson Mübeccel Timaç, who spoke at the event, thanked Bornova Municipality and Mayor Eşki for their continued support. Timaç said:

“Whatever we have asked of our Mayor as an association, he has always helped us in every way. He himself grew up in the youth branches of our association and is a true Atatürkist mayor. In this respect, I believe that both Bornova and our association are very fortunate. I sincerely thank him and his team for their support.”