Mayor Eşki Calls for a Continued Fight for Justice

Bornova Municipality did not forget the Madımak Massacre, which took place 32 years ago. On the anniversary of the tragic event, in which 35 people — including some of Turkey’s most prominent artists and intellectuals — were burned to death in Sivas, a deeply emotional commemoration was held. The event was organized by the Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association and hosted by the Bornova Municipality. During the ceremony, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized that despite the 32 years that have passed, the pain and anger remain fresh.

Held at Ayfer Feray Open-Air Theatre, the event was attended by Mayor Ömer Eşki, former CHP Secretary General and İzmir MP Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sındır, and 24th Term İzmir MP Erdal Aksünger. The commemoration began with the oratorio “Land of Poets – July 2”, written by Elahattin Demirbaş, which portrayed the short lives of the intellectuals who were killed in the massacre in a theatrical format, leaving the audience deeply moved. Following the oratorio, a choir conducted by Hüseyin Koçak performed traditional Alevi hymns and folk songs.

“We Have No Choice But to Win”

Mayor Eşki described Turkey’s history as a battleground between two contrasting paths:
“On one side, the Turkey of Şeyh Bedreddin, who said, ‘We share everything except the beloved’s cheek’; of Pir Sultan Abdal, who said, ‘Let those who turn back do so, I shall not turn from my path’; and of Takiyüddin Efendi, who built observatories in the name of science. On the other side, the Turkey of those who executed them, silenced their voices, and bombarded the observatories.
Today, not much has changed. On one side is the Turkey of Deniz, Yusuf, and Mahir; on the other, the Turkey of the coup plotters. That’s why we have no choice but to resist — no option but to win.”

Memory and Justice Park

Mayor Eşki emphasized that July 2 should be remembered not only with sorrow but with a hope for justice:
“We have submitted a proposal to the Municipal Council to build a Memory and Justice Park in Bornova. I wish the decision had passed unanimously — it would have strengthened our hope. Unfortunately, it was approved only by majority vote. Still, we are determined. We will build this park across from Bornova Anatolian High School, because our primary goal is to make justice not just a longed-for concept, but a real and tangible part of life.
In this country, a crime against humanity has been allowed to lapse under a statute of limitations. The lawyers of the perpetrators became members of parliament from the ruling party. We will not hand over this country to a mentality that says, ‘Let the statute of limitations be a blessing.’ This fight will end with justice. I truly believe we will live together in justice. I hope we can build those beautiful days together.”

Sındır: “We Have Not Forgotten, We Will Not Let It Be Forgotten”

Prof. Dr. Kamil Okyay Sındır spoke of the enduring pain despite the passing years:
“The death of a person does not occur when the soul leaves the body, but when their memory is forgotten. That’s why we will never forget those we lost. They will live on in our memories, in our hearts, and in our yearning for a more just future.”

“July 2 Was Etched into the History of Humanity as a Dark Day”

Barış Çelik, Head of the Bornova Branch of the Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural and Solidarity Association, said the perpetrators of the Madımak Massacre failed to achieve their goals:
“July 2, 1993, is recorded in human history as a dark day. Those who advocated peace through poetry and shouted for freedom through their ideas were burned alive. Those who followed in the path of Pir Sultan, Nesimi, and Hallacı Mansur were targeted — but they failed. Because we are still here. We have not forgotten, we will not forget, and we will not let it be forgotten.”