Officials and visitors from Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey gathered in northwest Turkey on Saturday to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli. The solemn ceremony began at 5:30 a.m. local time near a beach where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, or ANZACs, first landed at Gallipoli at dawn on April 25, 1915.
Commemorative Ceremony
The hour-long event included mournful hymns, prayers, and the laying of wreaths by participants, which included representatives from many countries around the world. The ceremony highlighted the enduring bonds formed between former adversaries.
Historical Context
The Gallipoli campaign, part of a British-led effort to defeat the Ottoman Empire, ultimately failed, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides during the eight-month conflict. It aimed to secure a naval route from the Mediterranean Sea to Istanbul through the Dardanelles and knock the Ottomans out of the war. The battle helped forge Australia and New Zealand's national identities as well as friendship with their former adversary, Turkey.
Key Addresses
Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro delivered the opening address, stating: "From great suffering, understanding can grow. From former enemies, friendships can blossom. The relationship between Turkey, Australia and New Zealand is built on remembrance, respect and recognition of our shared humanity."
Turkish Colonel Fatih Cansiz read from a tribute by Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, made in 1934 for the fallen: "Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives … you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours." Ataturk first rose to prominence as commander of Turkish forces at Gallipoli, later leading Turkey's War of Independence and founding the Turkish Republic.
