European Union of Atatürkist Thought Associations
Short Introduction
The European Association of Atatürkist Thought Associations was founded in 1993 by Bergkamen, Hannover, Bielefeld and Gütersloh ADDs, and with the stability and success it showed in its work, it increased the number of members of the Atatürkist Thought Association throughout Europe over time, and finally in 2019, with 18 member associations across Germany and a total of 30 across Europe.
With the decision taken at the 2016 General Assembly of the European Union of Atatürkist Thought Associations, Atatürkist Associations that are not members of the European ADD Union, and that defend Turkey’s Unity and Solidarity on the basis of the six arrows principle will be included in all studies and invited to every activity.
The European ADD Union, which does not limit its activities to cultural events, sets an annual agenda in the first month of each year to organize training seminars/camps and multilingual conferences with experts (in many cities) and transfers information to parallel institutions. Approaching the objectivity of not only Turkey, but also Germany and Europe with common sense and paying attention to progress in line with the needs of the European Turkish society, the European ADD Union did not remain indifferent to the German and European press and started to make its voice heard.
European ADD Union from Past to Present
Lausanne 2005
In the event organized by the Headquarters of the Atatürkist Thought Association and European ADDs and Turkish associations from various cities, ADDs from all over Europe were met in Lausanne in the square, and it was shown that our country is not without an owner. Speeches marked by Rauf Denktaş spread in waves. The rallies that started in Lausanne, Switzerland, spread to every corner of Europe. The Turkish people gathered in Berlin under the leadership of Atatürkist Thought Associations in Europe and showed their determination against the Armenian Genocide Allegations.
Silivri 2013
Our citizens living in Europe did not remain silent about the unjust arrests and judgments made under the name of the Ergenekon case, and organized a big march in Berlin, the capital of Germany. In the march attended by 12000 sensitive citizens, slogans were shouted against the lawlessness in Turkey.
Gezi 2013
Our Kemalist Thought Associations, which are members of our Union, and other formations and associations with which we share the same ideas, support the actions taking place in Turkey and support the actions taken from the most important centers of Europe, England, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Austria and Germany. offered its support to Turkey. Conferences were held on the popular uprising in Turkey and speakers were invited.
New Constitution, Presidential system and Referendum
As the European ADD Union, we have carried out various activities to inform Turkish voters in Europe and direct them to the ballot boxes. Our local associations acted jointly with the republican, secular, populist and statist formations around them and established initiatives and undertook the locomotive role of these initiatives.
ADDs were once again the pioneers of these studies, in which Kemalist Thought was welcomed by the public with respect and confidence. Various information stands, conferences, press releases and incentives for witnessing are examples of our work.
We told the truth to the European public and became the voice of the Turkish people in Europe.
We watched that the European press applied to us more frequently and with greater interest than ever before during the last referendum process. Our newspaper interviews and television interviews were followed with interest. Our written statements on current developments are published in Turkish, German and English, bilingual and trilingual, on our European ADD Union page. We responded directly to the statements about Turkey in the European press via e-mail. The fact that we are the voice of the Turks and Kemalists in Europe spread rapidly in waves and that we were preferred as a dialogue partner was fixed by the experiences we gained. Our future projects will bring our values and intellectuals together with the intellectuals of Europe and enable us to achieve lasting success.
Our union is growing
Our Union, which has a total of 30 member associations, mostly consisting of associations in Germany and covering Atatürkist associations in Europe, Macedonian Atatürkist Kemalist Association, which was incorporated in 2017, Kemalist Culture Association in Germany Hildesheim, ADD Saarbrücken, Association of Atatürkist Thought Association in France Paris, Kemalist Thought Association Rhone and Kosovo in Prizren Filizler Turkish Culture and Art Association continues to be the voice of Turks in Europe and to better introduce Turkey and Turks to the European public with Kosovo.
Rota
The European ADD Union represents the enlightened Turkish patriots in the light of Mustafa Kemal. In our maya, there is the resistance of Selahattin Eyüp, and Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli, who says, “A society that does not educate its women, is doomed to darkness.” Yunus Emre saying “I love the created because of the creator”, Pir Sultan Abdal saying “Come, souls, let’s be one”, Mevlana saying “come whatever you are”, Fatih Sultan Mehmet who closed an era and opened a new one, Mithat Pasha who declared the 1st Constitutional Monarchy, There are 1908 Young Turk revolutionaries.
The contribution of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, especially to world peace, is the greatest legacy for us. This is what makes us who we are.
Our vision is not conflict between civilizations, but peace at home, peace in the world and friendship of civilizations.
That’s why we say: We are Yunus, we are Goethe, we are Nazım, we are Brecht. The longing for world peace was especially the great ideal of the blue-eyed Pasha. Our world and our country will attain the peace, tranquility and prosperity they deserve around his program.
In March 2019, we are appearing before the public with a new and rejuvenated team at the 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the European ADD Union. Our goals are clear, our route is clear. We are the last link of the soldiers of 150 years of national enlightenment. We are the voice, heart and conscience of 5 million Turks living in Europe. Our titles are clear and unambiguous:
Atatürk’s Principles and Revolutions, Enlightenment, Mother tongue struggle, 1915 events, our Cyprus and Karabakh cause, the problems of our compatriots living in the Balkans and the social problems of our people living in Europe. The instruction we receive is written in an address to the Youth.