Bornova Municipality’s “In the Footsteps of a Nation, On the Road to Victory” Bicycle Tour, organized this year for the 10th time to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of İzmir’s liberation, received great interest. Huriye Kutlu, the 88-year-old mother of tour coordinator Osman Kutlu, will also accompany the cyclists on this meaningful journey.

Participants received the Turkish flag they will carry throughout the tour from Bornova Deputy Mayor Cem Arıkan. Expressing his satisfaction with the interest shown in the event, Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized that Belkahve is a symbol of the struggle for independence.

Organized by Bornova Municipality in memory of the 103rd anniversary of İzmir’s liberation from enemy occupation, the “In the Footsteps of a Nation, On the Road to Victory” Bicycle Tour drew significant attention. Beginning on August 26 in Afyon Kocatepe, this meaningful journey will conclude on September 8 at Belkahve Ata Memorial House.

Mayor Eşki: “We are preserving our history”

Highlighting the importance of this meaningful event, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki said:
“Belkahve is not only a symbol of Bornova but of Turkey’s entire struggle for independence. To keep alive the meaning of the road that led to September 9 with our youth and citizens is a great honor for us. Together with all who feel the spirit of victory in their hearts, we will continue to carry this legacy into the future.”

‘We want to convey the spirit of the Great Offensive to younger generations’

Bicycle Tour Coordinator Osman Kutlu said:
“The tour will begin by walking the same route Mustafa Kemal Atatürk took on the evening of August 25 from his headquarters in Şuhut to Kocatepe. After the ceremony at Kocatepe on the morning of August 26, we will start the tour and proceed step by step along the army’s route, at the same time and in the same places. But we will not use today’s modern roads—we will follow the path the army actually took under the conditions of that time. This is the most meaningful part: to step on the same ground they once stepped on. We will camp overnight in the same places where the army camped. Our aim is to convey, even in part, the conditions of that time to younger generations. This war was won with ox carts and artillery wagons.”

‘We feel the emotions of our ancestors on those lands’

Turan Dedeoğlu, who completed two full tours before and is joining for the third time this year, said:
“On those lands, we truly feel the emotions that our soldiers and ancestors experienced as they sacrificed their lives for our freedom years ago. They gave their lives for this homeland. We will do our best to relive and keep alive those times.”

Belkahve: A symbol of victory and hope

Belkahve, one of the most important symbolic locations of the War of Independence, holds historical significance as the point where Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk first viewed İzmir on September 9. His words at Belkahve, ‘I was very afraid something would happen to this city’, reflect both the responsibility of saving İzmir from occupation and the magnitude of the victory.