19.05.2026 23:50
President Erdogan, who came together with young people on the occasion of May 19 Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day, emphasized that the biggest problem of youth is social media. Erdogan said, "But this stance, you see, this stance. Because of this stance, we will not let our youth be captured by these on social media, inshallah."
President Erdoğan came together with young people and national athletes on the occasion of May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. Speaking here, President Erdoğan said, "Today, we are together with our national athletes who proudly wave our flag in all corners of the world, as well as our youth from 81 provinces and different countries who stand out with their knowledge, skills, and exemplary personalities. First of all, I congratulate each one of you individually. I wish you all a bright future full of success in sports, education, and professional life. You are a source of pride not only for your families but also for our nation. Personally, I see our youth here as representatives of a pioneering, architect, and guiding generation that will build the great and powerful Turkey and realize the Turkey Century."
"YOU CANNOT WALK TOWARD THE FUTURE WITHOUT ACHIEVING YOUR INDEPENDENCE" Addressing the youth, President Erdoğan used the following statements: "It is a fact that you cannot walk toward the future without achieving your independence. We are a nation that has paid very heavy prices for both our independence and our future. We are a nation that has defended this homeland, where we have lived for a thousand years, at the cost of our lives no matter the circumstances, and protected our national and sacred values, symbolized in our flag, with a spirit of unity and brotherhood.
The most key element of this defense line, which connects the past with the future and provides the spiritual bond between ancestors and children, is the youth blossoming on these lands watered by the blood of martyrs and veterans. This youth showed itself once again with all its strength and courage on May 19, 1919. For the first page of our national struggle epic was written on May 19, 1919, with the ink of our nation's independence and future, together with the Anatolian youth. In those difficult days when clouds of captivity covered our skies, our nation became one heart and then inflicted a great defeat on the occupation armies.
The first step taken on May 19, after a struggle adorned with challenges and heroism, was crowned with the declaration of our Republic on October 29. Thus, the Turkish nation declared to the whole world once again that it would break the dirty hands of foreigners, regardless of who is behind them, on its independence and future. I want you to know that this will stands tall today, just as it did 107 years ago."
"WE ARE STRIVING TO BUILD YOUR PROSPEROUS TOMORROWS" President Erdoğan continued his speech with the following words: "You are today's representatives of such a youth. We are striving to serve you in the best way possible and to build peaceful, safe, and prosperous tomorrows for our young people. With the Terror-Free Turkey process, we are trying to rid our country of a half-century-old scourge on one hand, and on the other, strengthen our national unity and solidarity, aiming to hand over to you a country of prosperity and brotherhood.
Our greatest goal is that you do not experience the hardships we faced, and you do not endure the troubles we suffered. Just as in the last 23.5 years, we will continue to stand by our youth in every field and make the greatest investments in our young people with determination. We will continue to walk hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder with our youth on the path to our Turkey Century goals. I say may God be our helper and supporter. I remember with mercy our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our nation. I wish our veterans a good and healthy life. I respectfully commemorate the commander-in-chief of the national struggle, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades-in-arms, and the heroic members of our Prophet's hearth. With these thoughts, I congratulate you and all our youth on May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day."
"YOU KEEP ME YOUNG" President Erdoğan also answered questions from the youth here. When asked how it feels to frequently meet with young people, Erdoğan said, "As a leader who has dedicated his life to young people, I wanted to build this place as a national library, especially to express how much importance we attach to youth in walking toward the future with young people. As you know, we have a youth center here. Similarly, we have another youth center in Istanbul Rami. I think the more I come together with young people, the younger I stay. And I believe that the younger we stay, the more solidly we build the future of the country through youth. And with this meeting with you right now, both you keep me young, and I, with my young brothers, believe we are taking and will take our steps accordingly in building the future," he said.
"WALKING THE PATH WITH YOUTH IS A PLEASURE FOR US" When asked how it feels to walk the path with young people, President Erdoğan said, "Working with young people, walking the path with young people is truly a special pleasure for us. Especially as we approach the goal with young people, you feel great honor. Being under this roof with young people right now is priceless. I believe there are about 200 young people here right now. And all of these young people are university students. And this youth is the youth that will build Turkey's tomorrows. Will we build Turkey's tomorrows? If you ask me, we will. Have no doubt about that. Among us are young athletes. And each of these young athletes is precious, each is striving to build the future. So, look, just recently we won championships in taekwondo. We became European champions as a team. So, it happens if we do it. The whole issue is to be determined, and when we say we will do it, we do it," he said.
"WE WILL NOT LET OUR YOUTH BE CAPTURED BY SOCIAL MEDIA" Regarding young people's use of social media, President Erdoğan said, "Social media is truly the biggest problem of our youth right now. But this stance, you know, this stance. Because of this stance, we will not let our youth be captured by these things, God willing. As long as you maintain this stance," he said.
After the statements, President Erdoğan chatted with the young people and athletes in the hall.