On the occasion of the 103rd anniversary of the arrival of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, to Konya, a program was organized at Monument Square.
The program commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Atatürk Monument, carried out by Governor Vahdettin Özkan and Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Deputy Mustafa Uzbaş, followed by a moment of silence and the recitation of the Turkish National Anthem.
Afterward, the participants walked towards the Atatürk House Museum in Zafer Square, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed during his visit to Konya, accompanied by the Metropolitan Municipality Band.
The program continued with the protocol members touring the Atatürk House Museum and receiving information about the items exhibited by the authorities. It concluded with a visit to the photography exhibition focusing on Atatürk and Konya.
Great Leader Atatürk visited Konya, the city where he most frequently visited and stayed for days, after Istanbul and Izmir. Atatürk visited Konya 12 times and spent a total of 33 days in the city.
On August 3, 1920, Atatürk arrived in Konya when he learned about certain unfavorable actions against Kuva-i Milliye (National Forces). He came to Konya at around 6 a.m. by train to meet with the people of Konya and the local authorities to enlighten them. Accompanying Atatürk were Minister of National Defense Fevzi Çakmak, Chief of General Staff Şemsettin, and 12th Corps Commander Fahrettin Altay Pasha. After various meetings and interactions, Atatürk sent a telegram to the Second President of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and Minister of Justice, Celaleddin Arif Bey, regarding the situation in Konya.
On the morning of August 4, 1920, the Great Leader visited a hospital and a high school in Konya. In the afternoon, he addressed the people of Konya at the Government Square. Atatürk's speech at the government square was interrupted by the enthusiastic applause of the locals. Atatürk emphasized that both internal and external enemies would be defeated by the nation's strong determination, and he called for trust in the national forces and support to be provided.
After Atatürk's speech, Antalya Deputy Rasih Kaplan offered a prayer for the salvation of the homeland. On the morning of August 5, 1920, Atatürk departed from Konya by train to attend the Pozantı rally organized by the people from the Çukurova region.
After Atatürk's first statue was placed in Gülhane Park, Istanbul, the second one was erected in Konya.
Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur Ibrahim Altay commemorated the 103rd anniversary of Atatürk's arrival in Konya on his social media account. In his message, Mayor Altay expressed, "I respectfully remember Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the 103rd anniversary of his visit to Konya."
