Sunrise at Anzac Cove

A group of 2,000 people, made up of Australians and New Zealanders, passed through the center of the city of Çanakkale towards the Gallipoli peninsula overnight.

The participants, in sleeping bags and blankets, watched the documentary, the film, the interview and the Anzac Day ceremonies in some cities on the giant screen set up in the ceremonial area, waiting for the “Rite of Dawn” to begin.

On the dawn show, Australian Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh and New Zealand Defense Minister Andrew Little gave speeches on the meaning and importance of the day.

The letter of the Great Leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was read to the families of the foreign soldiers who lost their lives in the Çanakkale Wars.

On behalf of the Republic of Turkey, Çanakkale Deputy Governor Davut Boztaş and representatives of other countries laid wreaths at the event area and a moment of silence was observed.

After the national anthems of Turkey, Australia and New Zealand were sung, the program was rounded out with prayers, Çanakkale Strait and Garrison Commander Rear Admiral Mustafa Turhan Ecevit, Australian Canakkale Consul Harry Hall, the Çanakkale wars and the head of the Gallipoli historical site, İsmail Kaşdemir, the British Chief of Staff Patrick Sanders at the 25th minute. Many charge d’affaires, ambassadors, deputy heads of missions and country’s defense attachés attended.

REMEMBERED EVERY 25 YEARS

Anzac is an abbreviation of the first letters of the words Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

The Anzacs fought on behalf of their allies in the Dardanelles in 1915 and later in the Middle East and Europe. Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. (AA)