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Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University (KTMU) celebrated the 19 May Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day with a series of academic, cultural, and sporting events. Rector Alpaslan Ceylan and Deputy-Rector Almaz Ibraev attended the official ceremony held at Atatürk Park by the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Bishkek and laid wreaths at the Atatürk monument.

“19 May Is a Symbol of National Memory and the Spirit of Independence”

Speaking during the wreath-laying ceremony at Atatürk Park, Mekin Mustafa Kemal Ökem emphasized that 19 May represents one of the major turning points in the Turkish nation’s struggle for independence. Ambassador Ökem stated that the national struggle achieved success through the will of the people and social solidarity, adding that the integrity of the homeland and the ideal of independence can only be preserved through collective determination and strong public consciousness.  Ambassador Ökem also noted that 19 May symbolizes the beginning of the independence movement initiated under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, and stressed the importance of passing on the historical legacy of the heroes of the national struggle to future generations.

Rector Ceylan: “19 May is the Historical Expression of Trust in Youth”

Rector Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan stated that 19 May should be regarded not merely as a historical event, but also as a powerful sphere of consciousness shaping the collective memory of societies. Emphasizing that historical events play a decisive role in the construction of social identity, Rector Ceylan described 19 May as an important legacy that instills historical awareness, a sense of responsibility, and a shared vision for the future in younger generations. Prof. Dr. Ceylan further explained that the educational philosophy of Manas University is shaped in line with this historical consciousness, noting that the university considers it a primary objective to educate students not only with academic knowledge but also with cultural awareness, social responsibility, and a civilizational perspective. He also highlighted that 19 May stands as one of the strongest symbols of trust in youth and underlined the responsibility of universities in transmitting this historical legacy to future generations. Within the framework of the celebration program held on the Manas University campus, themes such as historical awareness, the social responsibility of youth, the preservation of cultural memory, and the unifying power of sports came to the forefront.

Awards Presented in the Healthy Living and Sports Games Tournament

As part of the 19 May celebrations, the award ceremony of the 16th Healthy Living and Sports Games Tournament, traditionally organized within the university, was also held. During the event, which saw strong participation from academic and administrative staff, competitions were organized in Toguz Korgool, chess, table tennis, and volleyball, and successful participants were awarded. In the interfaculty rankings, the High School of Foreign Languages won first place, the Faculty of Tourism came second, and the Faculty of Science placed third.

The celebration program continued with a concert held at the Oba Garden on the university campus. The event was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Bishkek Mekin Mustafa Kemal Ökem, Rector Prof. Dr. Alpaslan Ceylan, academic and administrative staff, and numerous students. Performing at the event, Turkish World Orchestra brought together the shared cultural memory and musical heritage of the Turkic world through its repertoire. The concert program created a strong cultural atmosphere reflecting the spirit of independence, social unity, and youth ideals represented by 19 May.