A commemoration and celebration program was organized to mark the 106th anniversary of the arrival of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Delegation in Kırşehir. The program held on December 24, 2025 was attended by Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, provincial protocol, provincial administrators, institution directors, representatives of non-governmental organizations, representatives of political parties, citizens, and students. The commemoration and celebration program with intense participation began with the laying of a wreath at the Atatürk Monument in Cacabey Square, a moment of silence, and the recitation of the National Anthem. Following the wreath laying, the commemoration program continued with a parade march from Kılıçlı Bridge to Gazi Park. Following the procession, the Folk Dance Team under the Kırşehir Youth and Sports Directorate presented their performance.

Later, as part of the commemoration and celebration program, a conference titled “Atatürk's Arrival in Kırşehir and Kırşehir's Contribution to the National Struggle” was organized in collaboration with the Kırşehir Governor's Office and Kırşehir Ahi Evran University. The conference, held at the Ahi Evran Congress and Culture Center's July 15 National Will Hall, was attended by Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek, our University Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, Deputy Governor İsmail Çetinkaya, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander J. Kd. Alb. Ahmet Yıldırım, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Musa Özata and Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Şimşek, provincial administrators, institution heads, representatives of civil society organizations, academic and administrative staff, and students.

The conference began with opening remarks by the Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil. In his speech, Rector Karahocagil stated that they were not only celebrating Atatürk's arrival in Kırşehir today, but also gathered to commemorate a challenging period that shaped the destiny of the Turkish nation, and to reaffirm the resolve and determination that emerged from Anatolia. Explaining that Atatürk's arrival in Kırşehir was a clear demonstration that the National Struggle had taken root in Anatolia, that it had become one with the people, and that the ideal of independence had been strongly embraced. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil said, “The support given by the people of Kırşehir to the National Struggle is a concrete manifestation of the sense of belonging, altruism, and collective responsibility that emerged from Ahi tradition at the right time and in the right place.” Emphasizing that Kırşehir's place in the National Struggle is valuable not only in terms of local and national history but also in terms of explaining the founding process of our Republic and the underlying founding values, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil stated that the National Struggle was not merely a military resistance movement but also a multi-layered struggle for complete independence with political, social, and cultural dimensions, and continued his speech as follows: "The success of this struggle was made possible by the organized mobilization of the popular will that sparked local resistance in different cities of Anatolia and by social solidarity. The patriotic people of Kırşehir organized themselves around the Defense of Rights Associations and responded to the occupation in every area, making significant contributions to the actual struggle, both in terms of manpower and support and supplies, in addition to organizing rallies. In this context, Kırşehir stood out as one of the important centers that strengthened the social base of the National Struggle and provided its logistics."

Noting that history is not merely a chronological account of past events, but also one of the fundamental arguments for correctly understanding the present and building a solid future by leaning on the past, Rector Karahocagil stated that examining the National Struggle and Kırşehir's contributions to this process from an academic perspective is of great importance in terms of gaining historical responsibility, gain a deeper understanding of the present, and prepare more effectively for the future. At the end of his speech, Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the organization of the conference and remembered all the heroes of the National Struggle, especially Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with respect.

Later, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek took the floor and delivered a speech. In his speech, Governor Demiryürek stated that history is not just a series of events that took place in the past, but a shared memory that shapes the present and builds the future. He emphasized that December 24, 1919, was not only the arrival of Mustafa Kemal Pasha and his friends to our province, but also the advance of an idea, a will, and an unwavering determination towards the heart of Anatolia. Describing the role of Kırşehir in the National Struggle, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek continued his speech as follows: "Atatürk's visit to Kırşehir was part of the direct contact established with Anatolian cities and the people of Anatolia during the National Struggle. This visit was carried out with the aim of conveying the political justifications of the struggle being waged at the local level, informing the public, and sharing the fundamental principles of the emerging new administrative approach. Considering the conditions of the period, these visits are also of historical importance in that they demonstrate the importance attached to the social legitimacy and support of decision-making processes." Governor Demiryürek stated that they remembered Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, and the heroes of the National Struggle with gratitude and thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the conference.

Following the opening speeches, faculty member of the Department of History at the Faculty of Science and Literature Prof. Dr. Bengül Bolat delivered a presentation titled “Kırşehir's Contribution to the National Struggle and Atatürk's Visit to Kırşehir.” In her presentation, Bolat recounted the social and political events of the period, sharing the memories of Kırşehir citizens who contributed to the National Struggle. Prof. Dr. Bengül Bolat stated that the Kırşehir Youth Association was established to support the National Struggle in Kırşehir, noting that the association members assessed the situation during the National Struggle period and that the association was the first example of a social organization in Kırşehir. At the end of her speech, Bolat said that the unity of local organizations was very important during the National Struggle period and commemorated the heroes of the National Struggle with mercy.

At the end of the conference, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek and Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil presented Prof. Dr. Bengül Bolat with a certificate of appreciation. The program concluded with a group photo.