A communiqué was issued by Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı, the rector of Atatürk University, to commemorate the liberation of Erzurum from enemy occupation and the observance of the national anthem on March 12. Rector Çomaklı incorporated the subsequent assertions into his discourse:

There are turning points in ordinary lives and regular days. Life thereafter can no longer proceed in the same manner. The day is not the same as the era, and the fate is not identical to the destiny. Mothers relinquish their infants, children forego the opportunity to mature, and both genders forego the chance to live independently. Time is an entirely distinct dimension.

 Erzurum is no longer a municipality. Life is traded in its streets, adversaries seek refuge in its bastions, and incursions occur in its mountains. Independence is the sole means of escaping this darkness; otherwise, one will perish. On March 12 in the morning, independence is declared following the perilous days. March 12 has been observed as a day of triumph ever since.

Alongside the liberation of Erzurum, we are presently bestowing an additional distinction. Additionally, today marks the anniversary of our national anthem's ratification, an event that symbolized the burgeoning determination of our independence movement. Every line and stanza continues to represent the liberal spirit and the struggle for which we are fighting.

With this in mind, I wish that "May God never force this nation to write the national anthem again" as I congratulate the two splendid events that transpired on this day.❞

RECTOR: Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı