Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı published a message on the occasion of the anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's arrival in Erzurum. Rector Çomaklı stated the following in his message:

 "Although it has been 101 years since Ataturk came to the city to attend the Erzurum Congress on July 3, 1919 and started the national struggle with the Dadas, this spirit of liberation and unity is experienced without diminishing.

 The Erzurum Congress, which determines the fate of a country surrounded by enemies, tired but loving for freedom, is a work of the blessed struggle in which the fire of independence is lit.

 On this auspicious day, when Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha said, "What can not be done with this nation," 15th Corps Commander Kazım Karabekir and the patriotic commander rose on the shoulders of the soldiers and the people and formed the basic step of a country's departure from annexation to freedom.

 On the occasion of this important day when the struggle for liberation was initiated, we commemorate the founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades in arms, and all our martyrs who gladly sacrificed their lives from past to present for the sake of our beloved country, with mercy and gratitude.

 Let their souls be peace and their places be heaven. "