The celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, which is a turning point in Turkish history, commenced in Izmir. While the Clock Tower took on the color of the crescent-star flag in honor of a century of victory, Lausanne was discussed at the youth camp held in Foça. Mayor Tunç Soyer, who listened to the interview with the youths, made a statement regarding the sale of Izmir Port via Lausanne. He said,“They want to sell the right we put in Lausanne in exchange for money. The 100-year struggle seems unfinished.”
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality organized a celebration program for the 100th Anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, which is called the title deed of Turkey. The first of the celebrations commenced with the youth camp held in Foça Kumburun Beach. On the last day of the two-day camp, a conversation titled "We are talking about Lausanne with the youths" was held under the moderation of the Chairman of the National Holidays Committee, Ulvi Puğ and with the attendance of the Vice President of the History Foundation Nurşen Gürboğa. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer listened to the conversation together with Foça Mayor Fatih Gürbüz.
“Our the most powerful base and reason for wealth is Lausanne”
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer, who spoke to the youths after the conversation,   stated that Lausanne is the reason for the wealth of this country. He said, “It's a military victory, a political victory, a diplomatic victory. The winner of this victory is the Ankara Government, and the losers are the British, the French, the Italians and many others. They call Lausanne a 'deed of title'. I believe this with all my heart. Lausanne is our the most powerful base and reason for wealth. It is a great miracle to establish a new state in a geography that was burned and destroyed a century ago, in a geography dominated by great poverty, and  begin to progress to the level of contemporary civilizations from there. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is truly an extraordinary genius, a leader and a great commander. The issue of minorities and sabotage in Lausanne are still undisputed issues. Some people still have the expectation that the acquisitions that Lausanne made a century ago, can still be retrieved from somewhere or taken back from somewhere.”
“After 100 years, they want to sell the Izmir Port”
Mayor Soyer, who clarified once again the significance of Lausanne through the sale of Izmir Port,  said, “They want to sell the right that we put in Lausanne a century ago to be able to ply trade in our ports of our own free will to the Arab capital in exchange for serious money. The 100-year struggle seems not over. We will continue to protect this nation, this nice geography, Anatolia. We will protect for our owe to our ancestors, and to future generations. If we can live in peace in these lands today, be sure that we owe it to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and our heroic ancestors. Therefore, we should not forget this owe until our last breath.”
“Lausanne is the title deed of the homeland watered with the blood of the Turkish nation”
The President of the National Holidays Committee Ulvi Puğ, who spoke at the inauguration of the conversation,  said that no military victory that is not crowned with a diplomatic victory is a complete victory. Puğ said, “Because you can lose at the table what you have won at the front. That's why the name that will represent you at the table is as significant as the commander who gives you victory at the front. Happily, the Turkish Nation won the world's greatest, the most meaningful and honorable War of Independence Victory under the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. And happily; The Turkish delegation under the leadership of İsmet İnönü, who was appointed by him, also won a great diplomatic victory in Lausanne. The Lausanne Peace Treaty;  is the title deed that registers the lands that the Turkish Nation watered with their blood and paid for with their lives as homeland.”
He told about Lausanne
In the conversation, the Vice President of the History Foundation, Nurşen Gürboğa explained many matters to the youths such as the process from the War of Independence initiated by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to the Lausanne Peace Treaty, the achievements of Lausanne, the importance of the acquisitions for Turkey and the world. Assoc. Dr. Nurşen Gürboğa said, “There is no secret article in the Lausanne Peace Treaty. 'The Lausanne's 100th Anniversary is tomorrow; there is no such thing as 'we are free to use our mines after tomorrow'. Lausanne is a treaty that seeks to respect the borders and sovereign rights of other countries, and to respect the sovereign rights of our own country. For this reason, the Treaty of Lausanne does not support an expansionist foreign policy.”
Soyer participated in the information game of the youths.
After the speeches, Mayor Soyer played the quiz game "Guess What" with the youths. There were pleasant moments in the game where questions about Izmir and the Lausanne Peace Treaty were asked. After the game, Mayor Soyer conversed with the youths and took a souvenir photo.
“The Clock Tower red and white in honor of Lausanne”
While the youths were discussing Lausanne in Foça, the Clock Tower, the symbol of Izmir, took on the colors of the Turkish Flag. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, the people of Izmir took souvenir photos at the Clock Tower, which was illuminated with red and white lights. As part of Lausanne's 100th Anniversary celebrations,Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will organize many events, from theater to exhibitions, from concerts to conversations.