Atatürk’s Ideal of Youth

Happy 19 May Atatürk Commemoration, Youth and Sports Day.

The last national holiday attended by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. At the “Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadyumu” for the Youth and Sports Day celebrations, 19 May 1938 - Photo: Hanri Benazus (Büyük Atatürk Albümü, Cilt 3, 1926-1938, Bizim Kitaplar) - Source

Instead of celebrating this holiday with the same platitudes as every year, I would like us to take a moment to consider what we are actually celebrating. The emphasis on “youth” and “sport” is not limited to what first comes to mind. When Mustafa Kemal Atatürk entrusted 19 May to the youth, he had a vision that looked to the future. His life was proof that his actions were no accident.

In my view, it cannot be a coincidence that this day was entrusted to young people. This is because Atatürk viewed youth not as a matter of “age”, but as the capacity to stand up against the status quo.

Everyone currently living in the Republic of Turkey is, in the truest sense, a child of Atatürk. This fact remains unchanged, whether you are 10 or 100 years old. We are not just young; we are the Turkish youth. While the notion of being a nation's youth is emphasised, we must also recognise the profound meaning and responsibility behind it.

In 1919, there was a stark contrast between the Istanbul government's elderly, weary and submissive mindset and the passionate, dynamic and risk-taking resolve that set out for Samsun. Being young meant being rebellious, energetic, open to innovation and searching for an identity. This identity was clear and deeply rooted: Turkish youth.

Sport reinforces this ideal, teaching us that intelligence, agility and morality contribute to our character.

To attain a high and revolutionary standard of culture, we must devote even greater effort to this goal in the years ahead. Our core policy is to raise a generation that is virtuous and strong, with a solid grounding in the natural sciences and an appreciation of the fine arts. Their abilities will be developed and enhanced through physical and intellectual education. (Yüksek ve devrimci bir kültür seviyesine varmak için, önümüzdeki yıllarda daha çok emek vereceğiz. Müsbet bilimlerin temellerine dayanan, güzel sanatları seven, düşün eğitiminde olduğu denli beden eğitiminde yeteneği artmış ve yükselmiş olan erdemli, güçlü bir kuşak yetiştirmek, ana siyasamızın açık dileğidir. - Sami N. Özerdim, "Atatürkçü'nün El Kitabı", 2. Baskı, ADD Yayını, s. 144)

Every active and athletic individual has a unique presence. They are as vibrant as an artistic community whose creative spirit remains intact. They are dynamic and eager, never shying away from taking the initiative. They are full of life. And they should be. After all, it is people like them who are best suited to challenging the status quo and corrupt rulers of past eras.

Sport is not just physical activity. However, to a gymnast, it may appear that way. They must be flexible and graceful, performing their movements beautifully. For a chess player, however, it is a mental discipline. They must focus on the battlefield before them, detaching themselves from external influences and taking responsibility for their actions. What both sports have in common is a sense of struggle. Without physical endurance, mental sharpness and inner drive, lasting success is impossible, whether on the field or in life.

As you can see, all sports involve the three elements of physical, mental and spiritual exertion. Those of us who have not experienced them first-hand may think that what athletes do is easy when we merely observe from the outside, but this is a misconception. This is, however, a sign of our current sporting deficiency.

In short, sport is not just a way to stay healthy. It's a mental discipline. With this in mind, we must keep our blood noble and flowing so that we can act without forgetting what we have learnt.

Turkish youth will tirelessly and ceaselessly strive towards our lofty ideals and goals. We, too, look forward to witnessing this. (Türk gençliği gayeye, bizim yüksek idealimize durmadan, yorulmadan yürüyecektir. Biz de bunu görmekle bahtiyar olacağız. - Atatürkçülük, 3. cilt, Genelkurmay Başkanlığı, Millî Eğitim Basımevi, s. 164)

Mustafa Kemal’s life, which was spent rushing from one front to another, is the most concrete example of the all-encompassing struggle that we have been discussing. He fought with all his might. His determination to achieve independence paved the way for the young people and children of this land. Kindred spirits set out to defend the homeland and repel the enemy. They resisted the enemy physically, mentally and spiritually in a kind of renewal movement. We are grateful that they succeeded.

After all, his statement, “All my hope lies in the youth”, was a warning, not a compliment.

The Turkish nation must be vigilant, fearless, active, level-headed, resilient and steadfast. It is therefore vital that all young people are aware of their heritage and are prepared to take action when necessary. Sport can help us achieve this by teaching us to stand up to opponents and enemies alike.

This celebration shows us that, whatever our age, we are not only Atatürk’s children, but also the embodiment of his vision. It is our responsibility to embrace this legacy, preserve it, and carry it forward when necessary.

In front of the Rectorate building of Istanbul University, the Atatürk and Youth Monument - Source