Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Republic by opening a library in the name of Aydın Ayhan, one of the most valuable figures of the city with his researches and books. The opening of Kuvayı Milliye Library Aydın Ayhan Bookcase was held in a manner befitting the 100th anniversary of the Republic.
Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, which has put into service great works such as Atatürk and Seyit Onbaşı Museum and Ali Hikmet Paşa Sports Complex within the scope of the 100th anniversary of the Republic, transformed the historical building restored within the scope of street sanitation works carried out in Dumlupınar Quarter of Karesi District on 29 October Republic Day into a library named after Aydın Ayhan, one of the important values of the city. The opening of the Kuvayı Milliye Library Aydın Ayhan Bookcase, which contains the documents and library collected by Aydın Ayhan for many years, was held in a manner befitting the 100th anniversary of the Republic.
In addition to Mayor Yücel Yılmaz and Researcher Author Aydın Ayhan; Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu, AK Party Deputy Chairwoman and also Balıkesir Deputy Belgin Uygur, Balıkesir Deputy Mustafa Canbey, Balıkesir Gendarmerie Commander Major General Nurettin Alkan, Balıkesir Chief Public Prosecutor Abdülkadir Akın, Karesi District Governor Metin Arslanbaş, Balıkesir University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Cevdet Avcıkurt, Altıeylül Mayor Hasan Avcı, political party representatives and citizens attended the programme.
MOST OF HIS BOOKS ARE BASED ON TRUE STORIES
Researcher Author Aydın Ayhan, who stated that he was proud that such a library was opened in his name within the scope of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Republic, thanked Mayor Yücel Yılmaz; "I grew up in Balıkesir, Balıkesir is my hometown. All I did as a student was reading books. There were many old books back then. When I was a child, we used to go to old ladies' houses with our mothers. There was only one subject there; the years of mobilisation, the War of Independence, the years of occupation. When we got a little older and started going to coffeehouses, the places we sat were by the door because we were young. Veterans used to sit in a high place further away from us. People who had been in captivity for 10-12-15 years would tell us these things. Most of the books I wrote are from what I listened to there. Especially Çanakkale stories. In 1953, we came to Balıkesir from Sındırgı. We rented the top floor of a house. Our landlord lived downstairs, Grandma Şemsi. She never went out. On the way to Çanakkale, her husband hugged her tightly and said, "My wife, you are young and beautiful. Please don't go out until I come back. Her funeral came out of that house in 1957. We grew up with these. I try not to write a word without a document. There are 13 war reports that Atatürk sent to Vehbi Bolak during the Battle of Sakarya, we have them in our library. In addition, many original documents are also in our library."
METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY PROTECTS HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
On this meaningful day when the 100th anniversary of the Republic is celebrated, Mayor of Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Yücel Yılmaz stated that he is very glad to bring Kuvayı Milliye Library Aydın Ayhan Bookcase to the city; "We are currently working on 300 buildings across the city, including those we have completed. As the Metropolitan Municipality, we have carried out a comprehensive street sanitisation and restoration work in this region where there are 48 buildings, 26 of which are registered. This building, which we have brought to the cultural life of our city as "Kuvayı Milliye Library Aydın Ayhan Bookcase", is one of them. After each of our buildings is completed, we transform it into a building that will really have a function."
"I AM PROUD TO BE FROM BALIKESİR"
Stating that Aydın Ayhan Hoca is the history of Balıkesir, Mayor Yücel Yılmaz; "I always wanted to build a nice building for him. We started the Kuvayı Milliye Library under the name Aydın Ayhan Bookcase. We will develop it further. There are many stories I want him to tell. Balıkesir has a spirit of struggle that has become a state; the Kuvayı Milliye spirit. In fact, it is always said between the lines; the city of inspiration, the city of Kuvayı Milliye. The Kuvayi Milliye Movement is carried out here with a logic that has become a state. We want this to be known very well. Firstly, we want it to spread to our own children, the people of Balıkes and then to Türkiye. It is obvious that those who know their history and can protect their ancient city will be stronger than other cities in the future. I am a native of Balıkesir, I am proud to be from Balıkesir. Happy 100th anniversary of our Republic. I would like to express my gratitude to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, and all the MPs of that day."
LIBRARIES ARE THE MEMORY OF THE CITY
Stating that the name of the library is very meaningful, AK Party Balıkesir Deputy Mustafa Canbey said, "Kuvayı Milliye Library Aydın Ayhan Bookcase. The memory of cities is very important. If you can keep your memory alive and reflect it to the future, this will be a great source of wealth for cities. We thank Aydın Ayhan very much. For sharing such a wealth with our city. I would also like to thank our Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and his team for their efforts. I wish this meaningful service to be beneficial to our city in the 100th anniversary of our Republic."
RESEARCHER WRITER AYDIN AYHAN IS PRECIOUS OF BALIKESİR
Starting her speech by remembering Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms with gratitude, blessing and mercy on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic, AK Party Deputy Chairwoman and also Balıkesir Deputy Belgin Uygur said: "With our 20 years of experience, we will build Türkiye's new century together with our whole nation and our young brothers and sisters. Balıkesir is the city of Kuvayı Milliye. It is the place where the Flame of Kuvayı Milliye was first lit from Alaca Mescit. It is one of our cities that played an important role in the defence of the homeland. I would like to thank Aydın Ayhan, who is the memory of our city and one of the precious values of our city. I would also like to thank our Metropolitan Municipality for the sanitisation of such a historical street."
A LIBRARY WORTHY OF BALIKESİR, THE CITY OF THE TURKISH REVOLUTION
Emphasising that they are proud and excited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic, Governor of Balıkesir İsmail Ustaoğlu said: "Happy Republic Day. It is history, past and culture that give soul to cities. When we say ancient city, city of history, city of civilisation, city of culture, it is very meaningful to see this not only in words but also in actions and activities. When we look behind us on this street, we see these things. You see the past and identity of the city. In this sense, this service is very meaningful. I congratulate our Metropolitan Municipality. We will transfer our city, which is known as Balıkesir, the City of Kuvayi Milliye, to future generations in a very beautiful way with its historical identity with such works. The most beautiful reflection of our culture is libraries and historical artefacts. We are opening our esteemed teacher Aydın Ayhan Library. May it be beneficial to our city."
After the protocol speeches, the opening ribbon of 'Kuvayı Milliye Library Aydın Ayhan Library' was cut. The protocol members, who visited the library together with Researcher Writer Aydın Ayhan, signed the souvenir book.
