The 697th anniversary of the conquest of Bursa was celebrated with a ceremony in front of the Conquest Gate in Pınarbaşı, where Ottoman soldiers entered the city. The ceremonies, which started with the recitation of the victory prayer, continued with the visit of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi tombs and the demonstrations in front of Balabanbey Castle.
The anniversary of the conquest of Bursa by Orhan Gazi 697 years ago was celebrated with great enthusiasm. Bursa Governor Yakup Canbolat, Metropolitan Mayor Alinur Aktaş, Osmangazi Mayor Mustafa Dündar, Yıldırım Mayor Oktay Yılmaz, headmen, civil and military officials and citizens attended the ceremonies held at Fetih Kapı. After the mehter team and sword shield teams took their places on the walls of the conquest gate, the ceremonies began with a moment of silence, the National Anthem and the singing of the Conquest Salah. Bursa Uludag University Institute of Social Sciences Research Assistant Dr. Zeynep Akan talked about what happened during the conquest and the development process of the city.
Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality, Alinur Aktaş, who spoke at the ceremony, stated that Bursa made great contributions to the Ottoman Empire, of which it was the capital, due to its location. Stating that the ancestors made a campaign not to exploit but to revive, President Aktaş said, “We come together with the same enthusiasm every year and we commemorate our ancestors who left us this distinguished city as a legacy. Bursa, the first capital where the foundations of the state were strengthened, has a strategic importance in all respects. With its many features, it made a great contribution to the Ottoman Empire, where it was the capital city. Orhan Gazi, who deserved the title of Conqueror of Bursa, started to build the city with the conquest. Our forefather never went to a city, town or region to exploit; he saw that place as a trust with his people and prospered. He made people happy by thinking about the account he will give to Allah and acting with his conscience and building cities. On this occasion, I would like to commemorate our ancestors who sacrificed their lives to leave these lands to us, from the conquest of Bursa to its liberation. I commemorate those who contributed to Bursa, from Osman and Orhan Gazi to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, with mercy and gratitude, and I congratulate the 697th anniversary of the conquest of Bursa.
The ceremonies at Fetih Kapı ended with Atatürk Anatolian High School student Üveys Temiz reciting Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar's poem Time in Bursa, marching band marches and the performance of the sword shield team. President Aktaş and the members of the protocol followed the changing of the guard in front of the Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi tombs in Tophane. Then, the tombs of Osman Gazi and Orhan Gazi were visited.
Conquest ceremonies ended with activities in Balabanbey Castle.