Kastamonu Residents Gather at the Grand Kastamonu Iftar

The "Grand Kastamonu Iftar," organized by the Kastamonu Residents Platform, took place in Istanbul with a large turnout. The program, organized under the leadership of Platform President Haydar Çolakoğlu, was attended by Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Celal Adan and Kastamonu Member of Parliament Halil Uluay, as well as prominent figures from the business, culture, arts, and sports communities.

We Will Make the Voice of Kastamonu People Heard in the Strongest Way Possible

Haydar Çolakoğlu, the President of the Kastamonu Platform, who gave the opening speech at the organized iftar program, underlined that they will make the voice of Kastamonu people heard in the strongest way possible and said the following: "As the Kastamonu Platform, we operate on a voluntary basis to ensure that Kastamonu people are represented at the highest level in politics, bureaucracy and trade by working in strong solidarity with Kastamonu civil society organizations, associations and foundations. As the children of such a glorious past, as long as we act in unity and solidarity, we will make the voice of Kastamonu people heard in politics, trade and bureaucracy in the strongest way possible. On this road extending from Kastamonu to Istanbul, saying 'two cities, one heart', I hope that our brotherhood, solidarity and unity will be everlasting.”

A City That Wrote an Epic for the Homeland

Stating that they are one of the second largest communities of fellow citizens in Istanbul, Çolakoğlu said; “Approximately 700,000 citizens from Kastamonu live in Anatolia. Throughout history, we Kastamonu residents have carried a nationalist, conservative, and republican identity, deeply rooted in national and spiritual values. Turning the pages of history, we can clearly see the critical role Kastamonu played in the destiny of our country from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic. Kastamonu, in particular, is a city that wrote an epic for the homeland, as it was one of the provinces that suffered the most casualties during the War of Independence. Kastamonu is the hometown of Halime Çavuş, who wanted to go to the front but, because "women are not allowed in war," disguised herself as a man to participate in the struggle.

Kastamonu is also the hometown of Abdurrahmanpaşa High School, the first high school in Anatolia, which gave its first child at the age of 15 in Çanakkale and was unable to graduate students for two years due to the continuous loss of martyrs. Kastamonu is also the hometown of [name omitted], honored with the Independence Medal, who played a logistical role in the National Struggle..." Kastamonu is the hometown of İnebolu, whose importance was personally emphasized by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who said, "My eyes are on Sakarya, on Dumlupınar, my ears are on İnebolu," and which served as a base for the military. Kastamonu is also the hometown of Martyr Şerife Bacı, who sacrificed her life carrying ammunition in the cold winter days for this country, symbolizing the courage and selflessness of Turkish women!