Independence ceremony started with laying a wreath to the Ataturk monument in Havuzbasi district at 9:00. Minister of Health Recek Akdag, Governor Sami Bulut, Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Kucukler, 9th Corps Commander Lieutenant General Tevfik Ozkilic, Deputies of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) representing Erzurum Muzaffer Gulyurt, Muhyettin Aksak, Fazilet Dagci Ciglik, ?brahim Kavaz, other officials and citizens of Erzurum attended to the ceremony which continued in Hastaneler avenue.
Making a speech Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Kucukler said, "People of Erzurum feels the pain of inhuman events that happened in 12 March 1918. The number of muslims that were massacred in this sacred city reached to 50 thousand within three months. There are the cemeteries of martyrs in Alaca and Yanikdere stands in front of us as a living museum. The ones who mention so called Armenian genocide should know that these lands have the traces of the murders that Armenian gangs committed. Once again we exclaim this to the World. We put a signature to this land with our blood and with our lives. We impressed our seals with our achievements."
Making a speech after Mayor Kucukler, Minister of Health Recep Akdag said, "We celebrate the 91th anniversary of our sacred city with rejoice. I believe this celebrations is not only for citizens of Erzurum but it is made in behalf of whole nation. The sun that rised in Erzurum warmed whole country with time."
After the speechs, soldiers, veterans, students, Turkish ice hokey team and sportsmen from 20 different country who came to Turkey to attend Skiing Race Palandoken Cup participated in the march past. The flags of different countries, which also included flag of Armenia were carried by young girls in folkloric dresses. After flags several sportsmen from different countries followed. The massacres that were committed by Armenian gangs in Erzurum portrayed in ceremony field.
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