Kemal Atatürk Memorial, Canberra facts for kids
Kemal Atatürk Memorial in Canberra.
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| Coordinates | 35°16′59″S 149°08′53″E / 35.283°S 149.148°E |
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| Location | Canberra, Australia |
| Designer | PDCM Pty Ltd |
| Material | Granite |
| Completion date | 1985 |
The Kemal Atatürk Memorial is a special place in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. It stands proudly on Anzac Parade, a street famous for its many memorials. This memorial honors Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a very important leader from Turkey. He was a military commander during World War I and later became the founder and first president of the modern Republic of Turkey.
This memorial is unique because it honors a former enemy commander on Anzac Parade. It shows the strong friendship that grew between Australia and Turkey after the war.
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Who Was Kemal Atatürk?
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938) was a brave soldier. During World War I, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Ottoman army. He led the 19th Infantry Division. This division fought against the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Arı Burnu in 1915. This battle took place on the Gallipoli peninsula.
After the war, Atatürk became a national hero. He led his country to become the Republic of Turkey. He was its first president. The Turkish parliament gave him the special name Atatürk, which means "Father of the Turks."
A Symbol of Friendship
In 1985, seventy years after the Gallipoli Campaign, something important happened. The Turkish Government officially recognized the name "Anzac Cove" for the place where Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed. This landing happened on April 25, 1915.
In return for this kind gesture, the Australian Government created the Kemal Atatürk Memorial. This memorial garden honors the bravery of both Turkish and Anzac soldiers. It remembers their sacrifice in that difficult campaign.
Memorial Design and Meaning
The memorial has a unique design. It features a crescent-shaped wall on a round paved area. The shape of the wall represents the crescent moon and five-pointed star. These symbols are found on the Turkish flag.
In the middle of the memorial, there is a time capsule. This capsule holds soil from the battlefields of Gallipoli. The memorial was designed by the architecture firm PDCM.
A bronze statue of Atatürk is placed in the center of the wall. This statue was a gift from the Turkish government. It was made by the Turkish sculptor Hüseyin Gezer.
Below the statue, there is a famous inscription. These words are attributed to Atatürk. They show his deep understanding of the human cost of war. They also honor the soldiers who fought against him.
"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 here in this country of ours... You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."
This quote honors all soldiers who died in Turkey, even those who were once enemies. It speaks of peace and shared humanity. While these words are widely known as Atatürk's, there is some discussion about their exact origin.
Special Trees and Refurbishment
Around the memorial, you can see pine trees. These trees are Pinus halepensis. They grew from seeds collected from the famous Gallipoli "lone pine." This tree is a symbol of the Gallipoli campaign.
The memorial was updated in 2007. It was rededicated just before ANZAC Day (April 25) that year. During this refurbishment, the pavement was changed. It now includes a larger five-pointed star design. This star matches the crescent moon shape of the wall.
At the points of the star, there are five pink-granite columns. These columns match the granite used for Atatürk's sculpture. They are lit up at night. The flags were also moved to the front of the memorial. The refurbishment was also designed by PDCM Pty Ltd.
