ANKARA, Turkey – Burhanettin Duran, Head of Communications, has officially announced the project owners who were deemed worthy of awards in the ‘National Memory Project Call Competition’ for the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day. The announcement was made on July 2, 2026, marking a significant step in preserving the nation’s collective memory.
Winners of the National Memory Project Call Competition
The competition, organized as part of the 10th anniversary of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, saw a remarkable array of projects. The top three winning entries are:
- 1st Place: Ruhi Yükcü with the project ‘Gördüm’ (I Saw)
- 2nd Place: Hikmet Uysal with the project ‘Sanal Demokrasi Nöbeti: Türkiye Tek Yürek’ (Virtual Democracy Vigil: Turkey One Heart)
- 3rd Place: Murat Mercan with the project ’15 Temmuz Sözlüğü: Kelimelerin Direnişi’ (15 July Dictionary: Resistance of Words)
These projects were selected for their innovative approaches to commemorating the events of July 15 and reinforcing the spirit of national unity and democracy.
‘Heartfelt Congratulations’ to the Awardees
In a statement released on his social media account, Head of Communications Duran emphasized the successful completion of the National Memory Project Call. He stated that the initiative was launched with the aim of transferring the meaning of the historic night in the nation’s common memory to the future, strengthening democratic consciousness, and encouraging original works that will keep the spirit of national unity alive.
Duran quoted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stating, “As our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed, nations that uphold their past build their future on solid foundations. In line with this understanding, our project call has led to the emergence of many qualified ideas and works that will carry our national identity, common values, and social memory into the future with the possibilities of the digital age.”
He extended his gratitude to all researchers, academics, artists, and participants who contributed to this process with their qualified ideas and projects aimed at strengthening national memory. Duran offered his heartfelt congratulations to the project owners who were awarded after the evaluation process.
“I sincerely believe that these valuable works, which strengthen the common memory of our beloved nation who wrote an epic of democracy by upholding its national will on July 15 and never bowed to coups and tutelage attempts, will make lasting contributions to the transfer of the spirit of July 15 to future generations and the further strengthening of our national unity consciousness,” Duran added, highlighting the profound impact of these projects.
The Significance of July 15
The 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day commemorates the attempted coup in Turkey in 2016. The day is observed annually to honor those who resisted the coup attempt and to reinforce the values of democracy and national solidarity. The National Memory Project Call Competition serves as a crucial platform to ensure that the lessons and spirit of this day are passed down through generations, fostering a stronger sense of national identity and democratic resilience.
The winning projects, through their diverse forms, aim to engage the public in a meaningful reflection on the events of July 15, promoting a deeper understanding of its historical significance and its ongoing relevance to Turkish society. The efforts underscore the government’s commitment to preserving historical memory and strengthening the democratic fabric of the nation.
