Organized by the Kırşehir Governorship and the Kırşehir Provincial Directorate of National Education, and hosted by Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, the March 12 Commemoration Program for the Adoption of the National Anthem and Mehmet Akif Ersoy took place on March 12, 2025, at KAEU Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center, in the 15 July National Will Hall. The program was attended by Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek, Kırşehir Mayor Selahattin Ekicioğlu, Chief Public Prosecutor Oğuz Şükrü Ener, Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Bar Association President Atty. İsa Dağıstan, Deputy Governors İsmail Çetinkaya and Alper Balcı, Kırşehir Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Senior Colonel Ahmet Yıldırım, Kırşehir Provincial Security Chief Erdoğan Kartal, Police Vocational School Director Erdem Eylenen, Provincial Director of National Education Yusuf Yasin Gülşen, as well as directors of public institutions, NGO representatives, academic and administrative staff, students, guests, and members of the press.
The program began with a moment of silence and the recitation of the National Anthem, followed by a video presentation on Mehmet Akif Ersoy and the National Anthem.
Following the video presentation, the official speeches commenced. The first speaker, Provincial Director of National Education Yusuf Yasin Gülşen, emphasized that the National Anthem is not merely a poem but the voice of hope during the National Struggle. Explaining the significance of certain lines of the anthem, Gülşen highlighted that Mehmet Akif Ersoy wrote it without any financial expectations. Concluding his speech, he expressed his gratitude to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, all martyrs, and National Poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy with deep respect.
Following Provincial Director of National Education Yusuf Yasin Gülşen, Kırşehir Mayor Selahattin Ekicioğlu took the floor, stating that each line of the National Anthem was authored by the Turkish Nation, which took control of its own sovereignty and destiny. Expressing that the national anthem was the embodiment of independence, Mayor Ekicioğlu commemorated Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, all martyrs, and National Poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy with respect and gratitude.
Following the Mayor Selahattin Ekicioğlu, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek delivered a speech. Governor Demiryürek noted that after World War I, the Turkish people faced attempts at enslavement but never compromised their independence. Stressing that Turkish People initiated the National Struggle with independence as the highest priority, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek explained that the National Anthem was written to uplift the morale of the people and the army, reinforcing their belief in victory. Governor Demiryürek said that the National Poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy wrote the National Anthem without expecting any material return and stated that every line of the National Anthem contains deep meanings and is a unique work that describes the struggle of the Turkish Nation for independence. Concluding his speech, Governor Demiryürek honored Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, National Poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy, and all martyrs with gratitude and respect, also thanked everyone involved in organizing the event.
After the speeches, high school student Ennur Döndü Doğan recited Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s poem "Zulmü Alkışlayamam", while Hatice Nur Güçlü performed the National Anthem. This was followed by a speech on the significance of the day by History Teacher Canan Çalışkan.
The program continued with a theatrical performance by students from Prof. Dr. İlhan Kılıçözlü Science High School. Finally, the event concluded with officials congratulating the students, a group photo session, and visiting the "National Anthem – Mehmet Akif Ersoy" themed photo exhibition.
