In a statement on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the National Anthem, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “Our National Anthem and the War of Independence, which it symbolizes, constitute one of the most critical periods in our history. The War of Independence at that time became an example to all humanity. If we forget the War of Independence, we also forget our values. Cultures and values are formed through experiences and stories. The existence of abstract values and conveying these values to young people play an important role in the formation of society.”
Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan made evaluations regarding the topic of “National Spirit, National Unity, and Our Spiritual Values.”
“Cultures and values are not formed by information in theoretical books”
Stating that the National Anthem is the symbol of the War of Independence, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said: “Our National Anthem and the War of Independence, which it symbolizes, are a very critical period in our history. The War of Independence at that time became an example to all humanity. If we forget the War of Independence, we forget our values. If we forget Gallipoli (Çanakkale), we forget the past. This also causes our children to be ungrateful. The Japanese have realized this. Currently, they ensure that all elementary school children visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where atomic bombs were dropped during World War II. We did not have such a habit during our student years. Now, I see that our education system in Turkey has realized this. Schools go to Gallipoli (Çanakkale) in groups. By seeing on site the collision of two bullets in the air during the War of Independence, the sacrifices made there, the 57th Regiment, all these things, people and young people show more respect for the past. Cultures and values are not formed by information read in theoretical books. Cultures and values are formed through experiences and stories. They are formed through various narratives and lived experiences. It is important to convey these values to young people.”
“There are three important criteria for a nation to become a nation”
Referring to the difference between the concepts of community and nation in his speech, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “There are three important criteria for a nation to become a nation. Firstly, for a mass to become a nation, it must have a common history, past accumulations, and tangible and intangible values. Secondly, they must be able to live in peace, in mutual assistance and support. Thirdly, their national ideals, aspirations, and goals must be common. The values of society and appropriate leadership are very important for the continuation of this national identity. A management style that embraces the entire society is useful in setting goals. Leadership is also very important in internal reconciliation, preventing polarization, acting together, and ensuring people do not live in fear.”
“The existence of abstract values is very important in the formation of society”
Tarhan stated that some values are not utilized or weaken in places where people live in fear, saying, “These are called spiritual accumulations. Society has both material and abstract cultures. In fact, it is not concrete culture that holds society together, but abstract culture. Confucius says on this matter, ‘If they ask you where you would start if you were to rebuild a society, I would start with concepts, with culture.’ The element that holds society together is not material values. If material values hold a society together, it becomes a community. However, being a society is possible by having common values, common future perspectives, and common historical areas. For this, abstract values are definitely necessary.”
“Those who uphold universal values do not perish in history”
Speaking about the abstract values that hold society together, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “The feeling of martyrdom is very important in war. There is something the US President said about the events in Syria. He says, ‘Turks go to war as if they are going to eat.’ That is why they are afraid to fight us. We must not lose this value. These are not genetic but values formed through teaching. In any endeavor, there are individual, national, and universal values. Universal values must also be learned. For example, fairness and justice, respect for human dignity, love, and empathy are universal values. Those who uphold these values have not perished in history. Those who did not uphold them have faded away. Cruel cultures that do not respect humanity are cultures that have disappeared.”
“The new generation has become a child of popular culture”
Stating that the National Anthem has central importance in Turkish society, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, “When we look at our National Anthem, we see how important it is in war, in winning victory, and in our future vision. We need to examine all the stanzas of the anthem. Instead of making our children memorize the National Anthem, we need to teach them the meanings and concepts within it. If we don't teach this, we will lose our children. The new generation has currently become a child of global popular culture.”
“We need to redefine our cultural policy”
Continuing his words with the quote, “What makes flags flags is the blood on them, a land is a homeland if there are those who die for it,” Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said: “We may have a homeland, a piece of land, but if we are not a whole on that piece of land, if we cannot keep our national and spiritual values alive, that piece of land may not have much meaning. Some, during the February 28th period, at GATA, portrayed the National Anthem and Mehmet Akif as Arab sympathizers. Racism was perpetrated there. However, being a Turkish nationalist is not being a Turkish racist. A person who finds fault even with Mehmet Akif loses their nationalism. These are international types. Against these, we must certainly have our own national values, our common values. For example, when I went to Canada, I saw a Turkish restaurant there and we all went there with my friends. Even our love for foods like fasulye (beans) and lahmacun is actually national. The banning of Turkish Classical Music and Turkish Folk Music in its time was a wrong policy we applied against our own culture. Therefore, we need to redefine our cultural policy. We also need to direct our efforts towards abstract culture.”