Full Breakdown
111th Gallipoli Commemoration Unites Turkey, Australia and New Zealand
4/26/2026, 8:32:52 AM
111th-Anniversary Gallipoli Ceremony
On Saturday, 24 April 2026, officials and visitors from Australia, New Zealand and Turkey gathered on the Gallipoli peninsula near Çanakkale for a solemn ceremony marking the 111th anniversary of the World-War-I landing. The event began at 5:30 a.m. local time on the historic beach where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) first set foot on 25 April 1915. An hour-long program featured mournful hymns, prayers, and the laying of wreaths by participants representing a broad international audience.
Background & Context: The 1915 Gallipoli Campaign
The Gallipoli operation was part of a British-led attempt to force the Ottoman Empire out of the war by securing a naval passage from the Mediterranean to Istanbul through the Dardanelles. The campaign lasted eight months and ultimately failed, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths on both sides. Although a military defeat, the battle forged distinct national identities for Australia and New Zealand and later became a foundation for reconciliation with Turkey.
Key Figures & Groups
- Dame Cindy Kiro – Governor-General of New Zealand, who delivered the opening address.
- Col. Fatih Cansiz – Turkish officer who read a tribute originally penned by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1934.
- Mustafa Kemal Atatürk – Commander of Turkish forces at Gallipoli, later leader of Turkey’s War of Independence and founder of the Turkish Republic.
- ANZAC – The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps whose 1915 landing is commemorated each year.
Data & Statistics
- 111th anniversary of the 1915 landing.
- Tens of thousands of casualties on both sides during the eight-month conflict.
- 5:30 a.m. start time; hour-long ceremony.
Official Statements & Responses
New Zealand’s Governor-General emphasized that the shared remembrance “is built on respect and recognition of our shared humanity,” underscoring the transformation from former enemies to friends. The Turkish delegation highlighted Atatürk’s 1934 tribute, noting that the fallen “lie side by side in this country of ours,” reinforcing a message of unity and peace. Both sides framed the ceremony as a reaffirmation of long-standing diplomatic and cultural ties.
Why It Matters / Impact
The event illustrates how a historic battlefield can evolve into a symbol of reconciliation. By jointly honoring the dead, Australia, New Zealand and Turkey reinforce the national narratives that emerged from Gallipoli while fostering continued friendship. The ceremony also serves as a reminder that collective memory can bridge former adversaries, shaping future diplomatic and cultural cooperation.
What’s Next
The commemoration precedes ANZAC Day on 25 April 2026, when additional services are planned across the peninsula and in the participating nations. Organizers anticipate further bilateral events that will build on the themes of remembrance and shared humanity highlighted at the 111th-anniversary ceremony.
Verbatim Quotes
- “From great suffering, understanding can grow. From former enemies, friendships can blossom. The relationship between Turkey, Australia and New Zealand is built on remembrance, respect and recognition of our shared humanity,” — Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand
- “Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives … you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours.” — Col. Fatih Cansiz, reading Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s 1934 tribute
