A greeting was published by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, the Rector of Atatürk University, in honour of the 147th anniversary of the Aziziye Legend. The following phrases were used by Rector Hacımüftüoğlu in his message:

❝With enthusiasm and pride, we commemorate the 147th anniversary of the Aziziye Victory, one of the unforgettable heroic legends of our glorious history, which was written during the 1877-1878 Ottoman-Russian War. One of the most significant symbols of our nation's struggle for independence and freedom is the unwavering resistance that Erzurum, the honourable people, and heroic combatants, demonstrated in defence of its homeland.

The strategic location of Erzurum has made it the target of ambitions that have set their sights on these territories, and it has been the meeting point of numerous civilisations throughout its history. Nevertheless, the heroic people and soldiers of this fortunate city have consistently reacted with the love of their homeland. The heroic epic that transpired in the Aziziye Bastions altered the course of the 93rd War and was the name of a distinctive victory in which Erzurum refused to surrender to the enemy and resisted until the last drop of its blood was shed in the pursuit of freedom.

The Turkish nation's struggle for independence was symbolised by the courage, sacrifice, and heroism exhibited by Nene Hatun and the heroic people of Erzurum during that era. The inhabitants of Erzurum, regardless of their gender, age, or background, united to defend their homeland, repel the adversary, and secure their place in history. This epic once again demonstrated to the entire world the fortunate and honourable path that the Turkish nation pursued in its quest for independence.

The heroic spirit of our martyrs is still alive in Erzurum today, and the sacrosanct recollections of our martyrs serve as a beacon for all who inhabit these regions. Erzurum is not merely a city; it is the symbol and fortress of the Turkish nation's struggle for independence. There are champions who have left their mark on history in every inch of it.

With these sentiments and reflections, I commemorate the 147th anniversary of the Aziziye Victory with compassion and gratitude for all of our martyrs, particularly Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms. I reiterate our boundless gratitude to our heroes who gave their lives in defence of the homeland. May their spirits be filled with joy and their homes be found in paradise.

This distinctive heroism, which was demonstrated in the name of the homeland and independence, will forever serve as a beacon of unity and solidarity for our nation.❞

Professor Dr. Ahmet HACIMÜFTÜOĞLU Rector