15 July Democracy and National Unity Day 10th Anniversary Commemoration Events (2026)

15 July Democracy and National Unity Day 10th Anniversary Commemoration Events refer to the commemoration program conducted throughout July 2026 under the coordination of the Presidency of Communications, under the theme "Our Will, Our Victory", marking the tenth anniversary of the coup attempt carried out by members of the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) on 15 July 2016. As part of the program, various ministries, public institutions, local administrations, and civil society organizations are organizing commemorative ceremonies, exhibitions, marches, sports competitions, stage performances, digital experience zones, and media events across Türkiye and abroad.

^{Hot air balloons in Cappadocia are flying with Turkish flags and posters in observance of July 15, July 14, 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş will host the commemoration program on Wednesday, 15 July, at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The program will begin at 12:30 with the recitation of Mevlid-i Şerif at the TBMM Mosque in honor of the martyrs and those who lost their lives. This will be followed by the placement of carnations at the 15 July Martyrs Memorial and the Memorial Stone in the Main Building’s Honor Hall. Additionally, the opening of the exhibition "15 July: The Victory of National Will – Digital Exhibition" will take place in the TBMM Honor Hall, alongside the exhibition "10th Anniversary of 15 July: Encouraging Art and Living Through Art" by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, and the exhibition "15 July Headlines: Journalism Workshop Exhibition" by the Press and Announcement Agency. During the "15 July Commemoration Ceremony" in the Assembly Hall, President Erdoğan and TBMM Speaker Kurtulmuş are expected to address the attendees.

The central commemoration event will be held on 15 July 2026 at the Capital Nation Garden in Ankara, under the patronage of the Presidency and expected to attract approximately 20,000 participants. The program will once again emphasize the nation’s determination and resolve to defend its national will against the coup attempt. The honored martyrs will be remembered with mercy, gratitude will be expressed to the wounded veterans, and joint efforts will be made to keep the collective memory alive through events organized for the tenth anniversary. The program will honor the martyrs with reverence, express gratitude to the wounded, and aim to sustain collective memory through events prepared for the tenth anniversary.

^{Boğaziçi Köprüsü, 15 Temmuz 2016 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

The "Our Will, Our Victory" Digital Time Tunnel, to be constructed in Ankara, will be open to visitors on 15–16 July at Kızılay Square. This immersive experience, created using sound, light, and digital technologies, will guide visitors through the journey from the first moments of the coup attempt to the triumph of national will, while also showcasing Türkiye’s advancements in defense industry and technology over the past decade.

Under the joint initiative of the Presidency of Communications and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the "Our Will, Our Victory" themed train decoration campaign will see 10 trains operate on various routes across Türkiye during the commemoration week. Additionally, the exhibition "Memory and Remembrance: 15 July Photo Exhibition" has begun welcoming visitors since 14 July at Esenboğa, Istanbul, Sabiha Gökçen, İzmir Adnan Menderes, Antalya, and Gaziantep airports. The exhibition, organized in cooperation between the Presidency of Communications and the 15 July Association, features photographs reflecting the nation’s resistance to the coup attempt and its struggle for democracy.

^{Hafıza ve Hatıra: 15 Temmuz Fotoğraf Sergisi - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

As part of memory initiatives in Istanbul, visitors are offered various experience zones. The Silent Witness Installation, opened on 13 July at Üsküdar Square, aims to keep alive the memory of 253 martyrs. In the installation area, a Turkish flag is displayed for each martyr, bearing their names, birth dates, and places of origin. On 15 July, the Memory Tree Experience Zone will be established at Üsküdar and Taksim Squares. Citizens will be able to share their emotions, thoughts, and messages to the martyrs via touchscreens; these messages will be collected into a shared digital memory.

^{In Cappadocia, hot air balloons are flying with Turkish flags and posters in observance of July 15, July 14, 2026 - (Anadolu Agency)}

On 15 July at 10:00, the Democracy and Martyrs Commemoration March will begin at Zincirlikuyu and conclude at the 15 July Martyrs Cemetery, with an expected participation of approximately 5,000 people.

On the evening of 15 July, visual performances will be held along the Bosphorus as part of the commemoration program. Digital art techniques will be used in mapping shows at Galata Tower and the Maiden’s Tower to depict themes related to the 15 July coup attempt. At 22:15, a light show featuring 1,500 drones will take place on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, displaying the Turkish flag and the message "Our Will, Our Victory".

The commemoration programs will not be limited to Ankara and Istanbul. Under the coordination of the Presidency of Communications, "15 July Democracy and National Unity Day Commemoration Tents" will be established in all 81 provinces, offering citizens the opportunity to re-experience the night of the coup through curated videos and digital content. At the Capital Nation Garden and in all 81 provinces, citizens will receive the 15 July 10th Anniversary Memorial Badge, designed with inspiration from the endemic love flower of Gölbaşı.

^{In Şanlıurfa, "July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day Commemoration Tent" - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Under the coordination of the Presidency of Communications, events abroad will be held under the theme "National Will and Democratic Resistance: 15 July at Its 10th Anniversary". Programs will be organized in ten countries during July: Germany (Berlin), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo), Belgium (Brussels), Switzerland (Bern), the Netherlands (The Hague), Indonesia (Jakarta), South Africa (Pretoria), Albania (Tirana), Nigeria (Abuja), and the United Kingdom (London). The aim is to bring together academics, opinion leaders, media representatives, civil society organizations, and decision-makers. Photo exhibitions and screenings of the documentary "At Dawn" are planned in the host countries.

Under the coordination of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, over 30 provinces will host 56 commemoration events under the motto "Our Will, Our Victory", organized by sports federations. Events will cover athletics, wrestling, archery, cycling, traditional wrestling, judo, shooting, muaythai, tennis, triathlon, mountaineering, taekwondo, wushu, hockey, gymnastics, golf, scouting, skateboarding, rowing, and water polo.

Turkish Shooting Federation will organize a commemoration event in Erzurum with the participation of national team candidates, TOHM, and SEM athletes. Athletics Federation will hold the "Our Will, Our Victory – 15 July Democracy and Martyrs Commemoration March" in Istanbul. Cycling Federation will organize the commemoration road race in Marmaris, as well as the 15 July Martyrs Bridge Cycling Tour, the National Cycling Tour of Martyr Ömer Halisdemir, public rides, and races in various provinces. In Istanbul, the Aerobic Gymnastics Federation Cup; in Yozgat, the Sinsin Karakucak Wrestling; in Ankara, the Children’s National Wrestling Championship; in Tokat, the Super Children’s National Judo Championship; and in Samsun, the Archery Democracy and National Unity Cup will be held. Golf Federation will organize tournaments in Silivri, Istanbul, from 13 to 17 July, in categories for under-18, children, adults, women, and men.

Hockey Federation will hold a commemoration event in Alanya, Antalya, with the participation of the junior women’s national team and young athletes; Rowing Federation will organize special programs at national team training camps in Edirne and Istanbul. Scouting Federation will organize the 15 July Campfire event as part of the Turkish Scouts International Camp in Istanbul. Mountaineering Federation will organize the "Climb to Honor the 15 July Martyrs" on 18–19 July at Emler Peak, 3,723 meters high, in Niğde’s Aladağlar.

^{Boğaziçi Köprüsü, 16 Temmuz 2016 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Muaythai Federation will organize the Turkish Elite Senior Tatami Technical Muaythai Championship in Kocaeli, as well as club championships in Antalya and Iğdır. Taekwondo Federation will hold a children’s tournament in Sinop; Triathlon Federation will organize regional league competitions in Konya and Zonguldak. Tennis Federation will hold 15 July themed tournaments in Bartın, Batman, İzmir, Aydın, Hatay, Bursa, Kayseri, Manisa, Düzce, Aksaray, Kırklareli, Adana, Tokat, Şırnak, Tunceli, Erzurum, Rize, Denizli, and Adıyaman, across various age categories.

Wushu Federation will commemorate 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day through provincial championships across Türkiye, including in Ankara and Istanbul, as well as the Inter-Provincial Wushu Kung Fu Championship in Malatya, alongside the 9th Open Balkan Wushu Kung Fu Championship in Yalova.

Under the coordination of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and affiliated institutions, over 200 programs and events will be held across Türkiye and abroad to mark the tenth anniversary of the coup attempt. In 54 designated museums, events will include welcoming veterans in Ankara’s 15 July Democracy Museum, Ethnography Museum, and Republic Museum, along with panel discussions, mehter performances, and musical concerts. In Istanbul, commemorative events will be held at Hagia Sophia History Museum, Maiden’s Tower Museum, Hafıza 15 July, Museum of the History of Islamic Science and Technology, and Istanbul Archaeology Museums.

In the performing arts sector, the Ankara State Opera and Ballet will present "Our Will, Our Victory"; the Antalya State Opera and Ballet will present "15 July Concert with Heroic Folk Songs"; the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet will present "For the Homeland"; the Mersin State Opera and Ballet will present "Our Will, Our Victory"; and the Samsun State Opera and Ballet will present "Museum Concert".^[50] A stage performance titled "The Heroes Write the Epic", featuring artists under the General Directorate of Fine Arts in Ankara, will be staged at CSO Ada Ankara. Artworks in poster style under the theme "Our Will, Our Victory" will be exhibited from 10 to 19 July in the main foyer of the Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum.

The Ministry’s overseas offices will also conduct commemorative and awareness-raising activities in various countries. Cultural and Public Relations Advisers will provide informative and awareness-building content in the United States, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the People’s Republic of China, Denmark, Finland, France, South Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, Poland, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkmenistan, and Greece. Panel discussions and photo exhibitions will be held in Switzerland; photo exhibitions will be held in Russia, Hungary, Turkmenistan, and Greece; and articles on FETÖ will be published in Serbia. The Yunus Emre Institute will organize various programs at Turkish Cultural Centers abroad. The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) will organize photo exhibitions, documentary screenings and showings, and the establishment of martyrs’ parks in Albania, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Moldova, Somalia, Serbia, Tunisia, and Yemen.

The book "Coups in Türkiye from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic", published by the Turkish Historical Society under the Atatürk Cultural, Language and History Higher Council, will be distributed free of charge to universities and relevant public institutions. The Atatürk Cultural Center will organize the "15 July Democracy and National Unity Day 10th Anniversary Exhibition" at the Bilkent campus of the Higher Council. A panel with four participants was held on 14 July by the Atatürk Research Center and the Turkish Historical Society.

The General Directorate of Foundations (GDF) will recite Mevlid in 253 central mosques across all 81 provinces in memory of the 253 martyrs and provide refreshments to attendees. The GDF will arrange 2,520 recitations of the complete Quran for each of the 2,520 students receiving support. The Alevi-Bektaşi Culture and Cemevi Presidency, the Gallipoli Historical Area Presidency of the Çanakkale Wars, and the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) will also organize programs appropriate to the significance of the day.

The Presidency of Religious Affairs will organize various commemorative events across Türkiye in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day; the Sela prayer will be recited in all mosques from the night of 15 July to the morning of 16 July. Under the coordination of the General Directorate of Religious Services, complete recitations of the Quran will be performed in all mosques in honor of the 15 July martyrs. On the same night, the minaret lights of mosques will remain illuminated until the morning prayer, and central mosques and those near program venues will remain open for worship. Mevlid-i Şerif programs will be held in central mosques designated by muftiates before the noon prayer, and recitations of the Quran will be conducted in all mosques.

Events themed "15 July and Religious Officials" will be organized for students in Quran courses, and "morning prayer gatherings" encouraging youth participation will be held in some mosques. Throughout July, sermons and guidance activities on the spirit of 15 July will be delivered in mosques, and awareness programs targeting youth will be conducted at Presidency of Religious Affairs youth service centers. Provincial and district muftiates will visit martyrs’ cemeteries, families of martyrs, and veterans; prayers for the martyrs will be recited during commemoration programs held in city squares throughout the week.

Throughout Wednesday, 15 July, the Istanbul Governorate and district municipalities will organize a series of commemorative events. The citywide program will include visits to martyrs’ cemeteries, Mevlid recitations, photo exhibitions, panels, marches, democracy vigils in public squares, recitations of the Quran, mehter performances, and ilahi music.

As part of the Governorate’s program, on 15 July, the Edirnekapı 15 July Martyrs Cemetery will be visited; the "15 July Democracy and National Unity Day March" will be held from Zincirlikuyu to the Hafıza 15 July Martyrs Memorial. Taxi processions will be organized at Istanbul Airport and Atatürk Airport under the Governorate’s coordination; the Silent Witness Installation and Experience Zone will be opened for visits at Üsküdar and Taksim Squares. Mevlid programs will be held in 29 districts before the noon prayer. A boat procession titled "From Sea to Shore: 15 July" will take place in the courtyard of Ortaköy Mosque; the "Istanbul Gendarmerie Command 15 July Photo Exhibition" will open at Istanbul and Sabiha Gökçen Airports. A mapping show under the theme "15 July Everywhere" will be held at Galata Tower and the Maiden’s Tower; a light drone show will be held above the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. A program titled "15 July Democracy and National Unity Day" will be held at Fatih Mosque and Anıtpark.

District municipalities will also organize commemorative events at various locations throughout the day. Fatih Municipality will organize a march from Fatih Mosque to Anıtpark in Saraçhane accompanied by a mehter band; Quran recitations, official speeches, student poetry readings, a concert by Arslanbek Sultanbekov, concerts by Mehmet Çevik and the Liberation Symphonies, and a concert by the Hagia Sophia Hafız Ensemble will be held in the district. Esenler Municipality will organize a march from 15 July Nation Garden, located at the former Metris Barracks where tanks emerged, to Dörtyol Square; a 251-meter-long Turkish flag will be carried during the march to represent the 251 martyrs of 15 July, and citizens will join the procession with 2,551 Turkish flags and torches. Arnavutköy Municipality will organize visits to Hadımköy Martyrs Cemetery, Quran recitations and prayers, as well as the "Our Will, Our Victory" march; it will open a photo exhibition and host a concert by artist Mustafa Yıldızdoğan. Beykoz Municipality will organize a breakfast program for families of martyrs and veterans, visit martyrs’ graves, and recite Mevlid at Onçeşmeler Serbostani Mustafa Ağa Mosque.

Pendik Municipality will visit the grave of 15 July martyr Burhan Öner; a Mevlid program will be held at Pendik Central Market Mosque, and an exhibition themed "Our Will, Our Victory" will open at the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Culture Center. Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality will hold a breakfast program with families of martyrs and veterans, followed by a commemoration ceremony at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Park Martyrs Memorial. Esenyurt Municipality will recite Mevlid at Serhan Tirit Central Mosque; the program at Cumhuriyet Square will include a mehter band concert, a heroic folk songs concert, poetry readings, a student choir, and a documentary screening. Sultanbeyli Municipality will organize a commemoration program at Kent Square featuring Quran recitations, official speeches, prayers, ilahi music, and heroic folk songs. Zeytinburnu Municipality will hold the award ceremony for the "Resistance and Justice" Short Film Screenplay Competition at 15 July Square; it will organize a panel with Ersin Çelik, İsmail Kılıçarslan, and Aydın Ünal. Bağcılar Municipality will visit the grave of 15 July martyr Muhammed Ambar; Quran recitations will be held at Bağcılar Square during the commemoration program, and awards will be given to students who placed in school competitions themed "15 July". Bahçelievler Municipality will open a painting exhibition, recite Mevlid at Şirinevler Ulu Mosque, and organize a visit to the martyrs’ cemetery. Tuzla Municipality will organize a democracy run, a Mevlid program, and visits to martyrs’ graves; an evening flag march will begin in front of 1. Ahmet Mosque and conclude with a commemoration program at the Seaside Ceremonial Grounds.

^{15 Temmuz Şehitler Abidesi - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

On 11 July 2026, the 15 July Association organized the "Martyr and Witness" program at the Atatürk Cultural Center in Istanbul to mark the tenth anniversary of the coup attempt. The program began with a recitation of the Quran; video presentations on 15 July were shown during the event. Speakers included Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services Zafer Tarıkdaroğlu, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, AK Party Central Decision and Management Council Member Mahir Ünal, and President of the Presidency of Communications Burhanettin Duran.

In his speech, Tarıkdaroğlu said, "An attack was made on the will of the nation, the survival of the state, and the heart of our democracy. But on that dark night, this nation did not surrender to fear." Istanbul Governor Davut Gül stated, "They thought that those within us who used our weapons, our tanks, and our artillery would find the nation obedient to them when they took to the streets." Mahir Ünal said, "Taking to the streets that night was only possible with courage born of faith."

15 July Association President İsmail Hakkı Turunç noted that the association has visited families of martyrs and veterans both within and outside Türkiye, and that they held a commemoration program at the Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi to mark the tenth anniversary. The program was attended by former Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Livestock Mehdi Eker, along with families of martyrs and veterans.

^{A 253-hafiz hatim is being recited at Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii for the martyrs of July 15, July 10, 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Speaking at the event, Communications President Duran assessed, "It was once believed that coups were normal in this country; people were conditioned to expect a coup every ten years. But that narrative was completely shattered on that night." Duran also used the phrase, "15 July was an attempt to encircle Türkiye." At the ceremony, 15 July Association President Turunç presented Duran with the book titled "Under One Flag: For Homeland, Nation, and Love", prepared in memory of the 15 July martyrs.

Under the coordination of the Istanbul Governorate and in cooperation with the Presidency of Communications and the 15 July Association, the "Holy Sanctuary, Holy Loyalty" program was held at Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii on Friday, 10 July 2026, during Friday prayer time, to mark the tenth anniversary of the coup attempt. As part of the program, 253 hafız recited the complete Quran in memory of the 253 martyrs of 15 July; the Quran was recited and prayers were offered for the martyrs.

Under the cooperation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Presidency of Communications, the Istanbul Governorate, the Turkish Cycling Federation, and the 15 July Association, the 15 July Cycling Tour was held in Istanbul on 12 July 2026 under the slogan "We Pedal for National Will". The tour was attended by Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, Deputy President of Communications İlhami Giray Şahin, Deputy Governor of Istanbul Mehmet Sülün, 15 July Association President İsmail Hakkı Turunç, and President of the Sports for All Federation Kerim Çomoğlu, along with numerous citizens.

^{15 Temmuz Bisiklet Turu, 12 Temmuz 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

After the ceremony at Taksim Square, a convoy of approximately 400 motorcycles was formed, followed by the start of the tour with approximately 500 bicycles. Cyclists passed through Osmanbey and Mecidiyeköy and reached the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, concluding the tour in front of the 15 July Martyrs Memorial and the Hafıza 15 July Museum.

Under the cooperation of the Presidency of Communications, the Istanbul Governorate, and the 15 July Association, a ceremony was held on 11 July 2026 on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge to mark the tenth anniversary of the coup attempt, during which a Turkish flag and large banners bearing the message "Our Will, Our Victory" were raised on the bridge. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Governor of Istanbul Mehmet Sülün said, "I remember with mercy all our martyrs who gave their lives on this bridge, especially our 253 martyrs, for allowing our flag to fly freely." 15 July Association President İsmail Hakkı Turunç noted that ten years have passed since the treacherous coup attempt and that the association has never abandoned the families of martyrs and veterans.

^{The Turkish flag is hoisted on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, 11 July 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Following the speeches, the Turkish flag measuring 15 meters in length and 20 meters in width was raised on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge by protocol members and families of martyrs. On the same day, Turkish flags were also raised on the Yavuz Sultan Selim and Fatih Sultan Mehmet bridges over the Bosphorus, as well as on the Osmangazi and 1915 Çanakkale bridges. According to the Çanakkale Governorate, the Presidency of Communications, Çanakkale Governorate, and the 15 July Association jointly raised a Turkish flag over the Çanakkale Strait.

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) is presenting viewers with a comprehensive broadcast schedule dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the coup attempt. The documentary "Silent Witnesses", which tells stories of heroism through personal belongings left behind on the night of the coup, was broadcast on TRT 1 on 14 July. The documentaries "The Saboteur – National Code" and "The Call of the Century" also premiered on TRT 1 on the same day. TRT’s new series "The Century-Long Night" will air on TRT 1 on 15 July. "Two Epics, One Homeland" will air on 16 July, and a special episode of the program "Lengthwise and Widthwise" will be broadcast live on 19 July.

^{The Turkish flag is hoisted on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, 11 July 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

TRT 2 has launched new episodes of the program "Testimony of Art". On 15 July, "Frequency: 15.07", the documentary "Will", and at 00:13, "The Independence Chant" will be broadcast. The documentary "Homeland is Heaven: Mustafa Cambaz", which recounts the life of democracy martyr journalist Mustafa Cambaz, will air on 16 July; the documentary "My City, My Country" will be broadcast on TRT 2 on 17 July.

TRT Belgesel will broadcast on 15 July: "Those Who Shook the World", "March: The Power of the People", "Don't Fear: Write the Epic", "The Saboteur – National Code", "The Sacred March", and "The Call of the Century". The documentary "Türkiye Without FETÖ" will air on TRT Haber at midnight on 15 July. On TRT Çocuk, the animated series "The Assembly of the Future" and "Birds of the Great Plane Tree" will air on 15 July. On TRT Müzik, the programs "Loyalty and Melodies" and "The Independence Chant"; on TRT Genç, the programs "Youth Calendar", "Breaking Point: One Night, Five Youths", "A Ticket to the Past", and "The Saboteur" will air on 15 July. On TRT Spor Yıldız, the program "Three Drops of Happiness – 15 July Special", which focuses on the life struggles of veterans and persons with disabilities, will air on the same day.

TRT Avaz will broadcast on 15 July: "Traces", "Three Drops of Happiness", "For the Homeland", "Private", and "15/07 At Dawn". On TRT Türk, the documentary "Witnesses of the Sela", which recounts the experiences of muezzins who recited the Sela on the night of the coup, along with "Silent Witnesses", "The Sounds of the Night of 15 July", "The Call of the Century", "That Night", "The Final Journey", "One Voice, One Flag", and "15/07 At Dawn" will be shown. On TRT Kürdi, the programs "Türkiye Without Terrorism", "We Were Children That Night", "Silent Witnesses", "Türkiye Without FETÖ", "I Know 15 July Special", "The Saboteur", "Breaking Point: One Night, Five Stories", and "Resistance Epic 15 July – Diyarbakır Special Broadcast" will air on 15 July. On TRT Arabi, the documentary "That Night" was broadcast on 14 July, and the documentary "Will" will be broadcast on 15 July.

TRT World broadcast "Heavenly Deception" on 14 July; "Dark Houses: FETO's Hidden History", which explores the secret history of FETÖ, will air on 15 and 16 July; and "Betraying a Nation", which investigates fugitive members of the organization, will air on 16 July. On TRT radio channels, the program "They Failed" will air on TSR from 14 to 17 July, and "15 July in Memories" will air on 15 July. TRT VOT will broadcast a special program titled "From Darkness to Light" throughout the day on 15 July, examining the coup attempt from multiple perspectives.

TRT Cinema’s co-produced short film "Ten More Times" focuses on the spiritual journey of a young factory worker who lost his life during the coup attempt and will premiere on TRT 1 on the night of 15 July. The film’s production was handled by Hisse Temaşa, with filming taking place in Zeytinburnu, Rami, and Kadıköy. Directed by Ömer Miraç Tunç, the screenplay was written by Yusuf Faruk Tunç, inspired by a hadith. The cinematography was handled by Kürşat Üresin, with young actor Yiğit Ege Yazar portraying the character Bayram.

^{TRT Sinema ortak yapımı "On Kere Daha" kısa filminin kamera arkası, 11 Temmuz 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Screenwriter Yusuf Faruk Tunç stated that the film addresses the concept of martyrdom among those who lost their lives on 15 July. The project received production support through the TRT 12 Punto competition. Actor Şahin Sekman, who portrays the character Ziya, highlighted that the story is constructed through the perspective of Roma citizens who participated in the 15 July resistance.

Opened on 15 July 2021 with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the 15 July Democracy Museum has welcomed 440,025 visitors from its opening until 14 July 2026. The museum operates across a total area of 92,820 square meters, including 9,667 square meters of indoor exhibition space and 1,827 square meters of outdoor exhibition space. Within the museum’s eight thematic halls, digital technologies present content under the headings "Coups in Türkiye and the World", "A Bullet Threat", "Cast into Darkness", "The Longest Night", "Witnesses", "Sela", "Respect for Martyrs", and "Democracy Vigils".

In the first half of 2026, the museum hosted 12 events, including opening programs, Living Human Treasures gatherings, Living Heritage School activities, children’s festivals, youth celebrations, and special day programs. In cooperation with the General Directorate of State Theatres, 27 theatrical plays were staged between 10 March and 18 May. During the same period, 11 lectures and conferences were held with the participation of academics and Living Human Treasures. Between 24 December 2025 and 18 May 2026, more than 11,000 children from preschool to high school level participated in exhibitions, lectures, and workshops under the Living Heritage School program. The museum welcomes visitors every day except Mondays.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has written an article titled "15 July: The Declaration of Independence of Türkiye’s Century" on the occasion of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day.

Beginning his article published in newspapers with the words, "Exactly ten years have passed since that evil night when a great nation fought with its very life for its independence and future, changing the course of history," Erdoğan wrote:

^{Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

"15 July is not merely a night when a treacherous coup attempt was thwarted; it is a great democratic victory etched in golden letters in history, where our nation stood up with unwavering resolve for its will, its democracy, and its independence, risking its very life. On that night, our noble nation delivered one of history’s greatest lessons to the imperialists and their collaborators who sought to invade our homeland, just as they did during the War of Independence. 15 July is a great epic written in golden letters by our noble nation, which rushed into the streets and squares with the same faith and determination as those who heroically fought a thousand years ago at Manzikert, those who sacrificed their souls and bodies five hundred years ago on the walls of Istanbul to realize the dream of Sultan Fatih and fulfill the prophecy of our Prophet, and those who a hundred years ago gave their lives without hesitation for the defense of the homeland."

In his article, Erdoğan emphasized that when calling upon the "honorable nation to take to the squares and airports in defense of its national will," they were not issuing a simple invitation. He continued: "Our appeal to the nation was an expression of our trust in the democratic common sense, wisdom, and courage of our honorable people. We sought to revive the sacred slogan bequeathed to us by our ancestors: 'Either independence or death!' Our nation, as if rising from the depths of history, immediately answered this call, risking its life and soul. Praise be to God, our nation did not betray this trust; it once again took charge of its independence and future. On that night, our nation shattered the chains meant to crush its will, tore off the shackles of tutelage and treachery, and dismantled one by one the obstacles before Türkiye. That night, while 253 of our homeland’s sons drank the cup of martyrdom, more than two thousand of our brothers were wounded. Each of these numbers is a distinct emblem of sacrifice, courage, and heroism displayed in defense of the homeland, the flag, and the national will."

President Erdoğan, using the words "Over the past ten years, we have continued our struggle against the blood-stained terrorist organization FETÖ with unwavering determination both domestically and internationally," noted: "Because cleansing this cancerous cell that infiltrated our state and ensuring that the perpetrators answer for their actions before justice was our greatest debt to the martyrs who willingly sacrificed their lives. We uprooted FETÖ’s presence in every sphere, from the bureaucracy to the military, from the judiciary to the business world. Yet it is also worthwhile to once again recall this simple truth: what occurred was not a struggle that began and ended ten years ago. The only way to prevent FETÖ and similar insidious structures from attempting to undermine our state and nation again is to keep alive the spirit of 15 July and transmit this awareness to future generations."

Asserting that "over the past ten years since the treacherous coup attempt, the pain has retained its freshness from the first day," Erdoğan continued his article: "We continue our struggle against FETÖ and all similar terrorist networks with the same resolve and determination. On the 10th anniversary of 15 July, we now have a Türkiye that is far stronger, far more determined, and tightly united. Let no one doubt that as long as the spirit of 15 July remains alive on these lands, the insidious plots of traitors and the dirty games of their global scriptwriters will never find any response."

On this occasion, I pray to Allah for mercy for all the martyrs who, with their hearts as shields, brought light to that dark night, who, at the cost of their lives, restored to us the sacred legacy of our ancestors and rekindled this land as our homeland after centuries. I pray for the wounded among us long, blessed, and healthy lives.

O Lord, do not let our honorable nation, whose history is woven with glorious victories, ever again suffer betrayals like 15 July. The greatest strength of this nation is its unity, its togetherness, its ancient brotherhood forged over a thousand years in joy and sorrow. May Allah preserve our unity, our togetherness, and our brotherhood forever.

On 14 July 2026, in the Conference Hall of the Presidency of Communication, a panel titled "On the 10th Anniversary of 15 July: The Will Is Ours, The Victory Is Ours" was organized in cooperation between the Presidency of Communication and Ankara University. The panel was coordinated by Dr. Lemi Atalay, Assistant Professor at Ankara University’s Faculty of Language, History and Geography. Speakers included Deputy Head of the Presidency of Communication İlhami Giray Şahin, Ankara Representative of Sabah Newspaper Okan Müderrisoğlu, and Associate Professor Dr. Ozan Zengin from Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Sciences.

^{"Onth Anniversary of July 15: The Will Is Ours, the Victory Is Ours" panel, July 14, 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Deputy Head Şahin stated that they would implement numerous events befitting the spirit of 15 July under the theme "The Will Is Ours, The Victory Is Ours." Müderrisoğlu stated that on the night of 15 July, citizens of all ages and generations stood up with their lives against those who sought to undermine national unity and solidarity. Dr. Zengin assessed: "The events of 15 July—the bombing of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, targeting security institutions, and armed attacks against civilians—demonstrate that this was not merely an attempt to change the government, but a direct assault on the state itself, on the Republic of Türkiye."

On 15 July, there is a large number of visitors at the grave of Ömer Halisdemir, the Infantry Senior Master Sergeant who was martyred during the coup attempt, located in the village of Çukurkuyu in the Bor district of Niğde. Visitors recite the Qur’an and offer prayers at the grave. Süleyman Karaarslan, from the Ereğli district of Konya, stated that heroes are never forgotten.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Turkish nation’s resistance against FETÖ’s coup attempt, the Mint has issued a specially designed 5 lira commemorative coin. The coin was struck on the existing two-metal (bimetal) 5 lira circulating coin; the reverse side features the "15 July 10th Anniversary" logo and the inscription "Democracy and National Unity Day," while the obverse side retains the current design of the circulating 5 lira coin.

^{5 lira issued on the 10th anniversary of July 15 (Anadolu Ajansı)}

AK Party Member of Parliament, composer, and lyricist Yücel Arzen Hacıoğulları composed and performed a musical piece based on Nazım Hikmet Ran’s poem "Davet" in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the coup attempt. Hacıoğulları shared his composition on his social media account with the caption: "To the Turkish Nation, Whose Character Is Independence—For 15 July, Davet." He noted that the song was created in response to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s proposal: "Let us reread the book of Türkiye we have written together for a thousand years." Hacıoğulları also stated that in his composition, he recited the lines "To live like a single, free tree, and like a forest, fraternal" in Kurdish and Arabic.

^{Sivas Yavuz Selim Ortaokulu öğrencilerinin 15 Temmuz şehitleri resmettikleri eserleri, 15 Temmuz 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Students of Yavuz Selim Middle School in Sivas, after two years of work, painted portraits of the martyrs of 15 July on canvas. The exhibition, prepared by art teacher Hayriye Özay and her students, was unveiled in front of the Memorial Center behind the Atatürk and Congress Museum. The acrylic paintings, which depict those martyred in FETÖ’s coup attempt and are integrated with the Turkish flag, were presented to the public. Özay noted that the project was initiated at the request of the school principal Süleyman Öcalan and that all 216 canvases, sized 50x70 cm, were created using acrylic paint.