The Çanakkale War, one of the most significant victories of our beloved nation, whose history is filled with numerous triumphs, is a significant triumph which is a nation's legendary struggle for existence. In commemoration of this great victory, an iftar program was organized in the KAEU dining hall on March 18, 2025, marking the 110th anniversary of the Çanakkale Naval Victory and Martyrs' Day. The program was attended by Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Musa Özata, Prof. Dr. Ali Güneş, and Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, along with academic and administrative staff and a large number of students.
On March 18, 1915, enemy forces, aiming to pass through the Dardanelles Strait with the most powerful military equipment and naval fleet the world had seen at the time, suffered a crushing defeat and were forced to retreat. This historic event engraved the wisdom and resilience of our nation into history with the phrase: "Çanakkale is impassable." During that period, due to supply line disruptions and financial hardships, soldiers often faced shortages, and whatever was available was distributed as rations. These rations generally consisted of grape compote, wheat soup, and bread. In remembrance of this, and as March 18 coincided with the holy month of Ramadan this year, KAEU's iftar menu was prepared with the same meals that the soldiers once ate.
During the iftar program, KAEU Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil delivered a brief speech, stating, "Çanakkale is the legend of our nation's faith, determination, and spirit of unity." He emphasized the importance of understanding, even to a small extent, the challenging conditions under which our ancestors fought 110 years ago. "As March 18 coincides with the holy month of Ramadan this year, we have chosen our iftar menu to reflect the meals eaten by the heroes of Çanakkale. The legendary history written in Çanakkale places upon us the responsibility of protecting our homeland today with the same spirit and determination," he concluded. The program ended with a performance of traditional Çanakkale folk songs.
