London Celebrates Türkiye’s Victory Day with Special Reception
Turkish community, diplomats and military representatives gather in London to mark 30 August Victory Day and Turkish Armed Forces Day
London’s Turkish community came together with diplomats, military representatives and prominent figures to celebrate 30 August Victory Day and Turkish Armed Forces Day at a special reception hosted by Türkiye’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Osman Koray Ertaş.
The reception was jointly hosted by Ambassador Ertaş and his wife, Sevcan Ertaş, and Military Attaché Colonel Özgür Dündar and his wife, Lütfiye Özgür. Guests were warmly welcomed by the hosts as they arrived at the event.
The ceremony began with a minute’s silence for those who lost their lives in the service of Türkiye and for the victims of the recent ship accident off the coast of Kyrenia.
The event was attended by TRNC Representative in London Ambassador Aysan Mullahasan Atılgan, Air Attaché Colonel Şamil Koptekin, and Major General Shaun Hams, the UK International Air Operations Relations Coordinator, alongside foreign diplomats, military officials and representatives of the Turkish community.
ERTAŞ READS PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN’S MESSAGE
Following the minute’s silence, the Turkish National Anthem was performed before Ambassador Ertaş read a message from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan marking Victory Day.
Ambassador Ertaş paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the ship accident off Kyrenia and thanked the British authorities for their messages of condolence and support.
Speaking about the significance of 30 August, Ertaş recalled the historic victory achieved by the Turkish Army under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on 30 August 1922, describing it as one of the defining moments in Türkiye’s history.
He said Türkiye was proud of the strength and capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces, as well as the rapid development of the country’s national defence industry.
CLOSER UK-TÜRKİYE PARTNERSHIP
Ambassador Ertaş also highlighted the increasingly close relationship between Türkiye and the United Kingdom, saying bilateral cooperation had continued to deepen, particularly in defence, security and the defence industry.
Military Attaché Colonel Özgür Dündar also addressed guests with a brief speech during the reception.
The gathering brought together a wide range of representatives from Türkiye and the Turkish community in Britain, including diplomatic officials, business leaders, journalists, cultural figures and representatives of Turkish organisations.
Among those attending were Deputy Consul General Turan Oğuz Gönültaş, Vice Consul Cumhur Özkan, BTA President Murat Şükrü Acar, Union of International Democrats UK President Halil Erdoğan, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Hafız Mustafa 1864 Avni Ongurlar, USİKAD-UK Representative Esin Longman, TED UK President Levent Erkan and Vice President Kemal Şahin, and Presidential Symphony Orchestra violinist Zeynep Erkan.
The reception was also attended by TUSU UK President Onur Kovacı and Vice President Samet Kolcu, Türkiye’s Presidential Investment Office UK Investment Advisor Ersoy Erkazancı, İşbank UK Manager Berlin Ergan, businessman Mete Uluyurt, Turkish Business Forum President Murat Dağıtmaç, Olay Newspaper owner Nural Ezel, TRT UK Representative Hasan Esen, Anadolu Agency Representative Behlül Çetinkaya, NTV London correspondent Gökhan Bozkurt, CNBC-e London correspondent Berfu Güven, journalist Mehmet T. Güzel, Metin Güneş and BY TV founder Ergin Balabeyoğlu, together with numerous members of the Turkish media and community.
Following the official ceremony, guests were served a selection of Turkish food and refreshments, bringing the evening to a close in a warm and convivial atmosphere.
