The flag crisis occurred at a concert held for the benefit of education at the Cesme Open Air Theatre in Cesme under the initiative of the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV) Izmir branch. Greek artist Despina Vandi, who will be performing at the concert, said in a statement by TEV Izmir branch head Gulnur Soybayraktar that she was unable to go on stage at the last minute due to unforeseen reasons. Vandi reportedly wanted the “Ataturk” posters and Turkish flags that were hung on the stage to be removed. The singer, whose request was rejected, decided not to go on stage at the last minute. Vandi was understood to have said that she was not an enemy of Ataturk or the Turkish people, but that she had to think about her career.
Denizli mayor: No force can defeat Ataturk’s posters or our flag
Mayor of Cesme, Lal Denizli, who made a statement to the guests from the stage on this subject, said: “This is a charity concert. Charity organizations and municipalities have no interest here and cannot be, because this is a concert for children. , for education, with this in mind, our Atatürk’s “friendship” and eternal brotherhood, which are the words of a leader who considers war to be murder except when necessary. With this belief, the TEV team came to us and wanted to support Despina Vandi. Then they said that they would not go on stage, because they wanted us to take down the Turkish flag and Atatürk posters. ” he said.
When concertgoers responded to these remarks, Denizli’s mayor said, “Please don’t boo him. I don’t think there are a thousand people who can tire of your beautiful breath.”
“The flag is the honor of the nation.”
Denizli continued his statement, incorporating memories of Ataturk, saying, “The flag is the honor of the nation. During the occupation of Izmir, Greek generals often spread the Turkish flag at their feet. After Izmir was liberated from occupation, we raised the Turkish flag.” The soldiers liberated Izmir and placed the Greek flag at their feet as they headed to Ataturk’s residence. “We sacrificed many martyrs to win these lands, and we are a community of people who believe that brotherhood and eternal friendship will surely prevail. In our land, in the city where I am mayor, no force can dare defeat either of us,” he said. “I hope that he leaves the borders of this city in peace and tranquility. I hope that whatever country he visits again, he will not even think about lowering the flag of that country that he gained by blood.” I hope that this will be a historical lesson for him. “I am a shame for women.” He used this expression.
The concert audience then sang the Izmir March and the 10th Anniversary March.
