Turkey to hold nationwide commemorations for 10th anniversary of the July 15 coup attempt

On the tenth anniversary of the July 15, 2016 coup attempt, Turkey will stage a series of public commemorations across many cities. The 15 July Association, led by president İsmail Hakkı Turunç, announced that events will extend beyond Istanbul and Ankara to regions throughout the country. Planned activities include raising giant Turkish flags on the three Istanbul bridges, the Osmangazi Bridge and the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, a naval parade on the Bosphorus, open‑air talks, mapping shows on landmark buildings, lantern processions and bicycle tours.

A special ceremony on 10 July will see 253 children reciting a Quranic hatim at the Hagia Sophia Mosque, followed by a collective prayer. The events are coordinated by the Presidential Communication Presidency, the Istanbul Governorship and the 15 July Association, aiming to honour the fallen, thank the veterans and reinforce the spirit of national unity first expressed when citizens took to the streets during the failed coup.