Youth Day to be marked in shadow of disaster

ISTANBUL

Sorrow for the victims is in the people’s heart, President Gül says.

Turkey will mark its Youth and Sports Day May 19 with only one main ceremony, under the shadow of the mourning for the 301 who died in the tragic mine accident in the western province of Soma.

In his written statement for Youth and Sports Day, celebrated on May 19 every year, President Abdullah Gül has said both national pride and sorrow for the Soma mine disaster is in the people’s heart. “Despite its problems and shortcomings,

Turkey has gained ground in becoming a developed economy and democracy,” Gül stated. In his message, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu spoke of “brighter days” following dark tragedy. “Turkey’s history has witnessed that dark days are followed by brighter days, and in the darkest times we are closer to brighter days.”