President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan inaugurated the Atatürk Airport Nation’s Garden (Atatürk Havalimanı Millet Bahçesi) on Saturday, in a ceremony that brought together thousands of citizens, public officials, and representatives of civil society.

In his wide-ranging address, Erdoğan emphasized Türkiye’s determination to build a terrorism-free nation, strengthen its cities with projects that reflect its civilizational identity, and lead its region toward peace, stability, and prosperity.

The massive green complex, established on the grounds of the former Atatürk Airport, is one of the largest urban parks in the world, representing a new phase in Türkiye’s environmental and urban vision. The project, Erdoğan said, is not only a gift to Istanbul’s residents but also a symbolic declaration of Türkiye’s commitment to the “Century of Türkiye” — a century of national renewal, technological advancement, and global leadership.

“The Land of Sublime Love”

Opening his remarks with a reflection on Istanbul’s spiritual and cultural identity, Erdoğan quoted the celebrated poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı, who described the city as “the land of sublime love.”

“In this land of sublime love, we continue to show our deep affection for our nation with new works, services, and historic investments,” Erdoğan said. “Despite all sabotage attempts, we are preparing our Istanbul even more robustly for the Century of Türkiye. Each project we complete adds strength to our country, pride to our people, and beauty to our cities.”

He described Istanbul as “a city that unites continents, seas, and hearts; where the echoes of the sacred conquest still linger in the domes,” expressing his joy at sharing the moment with Istanbul’s residents. “I send my greetings and love to each of my 16 million fellow citizens breathing the air of this City of Cities. I wholeheartedly thank our youth, who embrace us with affection and inspire hope with their energy and faith.”

A Nation’s Garden for the Century of Türkiye

The President said the Atatürk Airport Nation’s Garden would serve as a new symbol of Istanbul’s identity, adding natural beauty, social vitality, and architectural harmony to the metropolis.

“Our new nation’s garden will bring a breath of fresh air to our city, beautify the face of Istanbul, and deliver another grand project to our people,” Erdoğan said. “We are adorning this stunning city, where the sea meets the land, with myriad shades of green, trees, gardens, and colorful flowers.”

The project, which includes vast green fields, walking paths, cycling routes, sports areas, libraries, and cultural spaces, aims to serve citizens of all ages. Erdoğan congratulated the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, TOKI, and “everyone from laborers to architects and engineers who contributed to this magnificent project.”

“I hope that Atatürk Airport Nation’s Garden will bring blessings and good fortune to our Istanbul and our country,” he added. “May God allow us to continue introducing more such works and services not only in Istanbul but throughout all our 81 provinces.”

“Cities Also Have Souls”

In the more philosophical part of his speech, Erdoğan reflected on the meaning of cities in the Turkish and Islamic civilizational perspective. Citing renowned thinker Nurettin Topçu, he said that cities are not mere physical spaces but living entities with character and spirit.

“Like people, cities also have souls,” Erdoğan stated. “With their nature, architectural texture, cultural wealth, and historical identity, cities are living beings. In cities, you read humanity, see the past, and understand today.”

He continued: “This soul, this heart, this face can be clearly seen, heard, and felt from Baghdad to Cairo, Skopje to Bursa, Samarkand and Bukhara to Beirut — in every corner of our great civilization garden. In our concept of civilization, you cannot imagine humanity without the city, nor the city without humanity. These are intertwined and inseparable concepts.”

The President emphasized that Türkiye’s understanding of development is rooted not in materialism but in the spiritual, cultural, and historical continuity of the Islamic civilization. “Each project we build must reflect our values, our culture, and our faith. Our goal is not only to construct buildings but to build a civilization — to raise a Türkiye that carries its identity proudly into the future.”

“First, a Terrorism-Free Türkiye”

Concluding his speech, Erdoğan shifted focus from urban renewal to national security and regional stability, underlining Türkiye’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and promoting peace across its borders.

“First, we will achieve a terrorism-free Türkiye,” he declared to applause from the crowd. “Then, by God’s will, we will work for a terrorism-free region. Just as we liberated our cities from the grip of terrorism, we will continue to cleanse our borders and our region from all terrorist organizations — whether they wear the mask of separatism, extremism, or foreign interference.”

Erdoğan stressed that Türkiye’s struggle against terrorism is also a struggle for independence and dignity. “We do not fight for dominance; we fight for peace, justice, and security. Our objective is to ensure that no mother cries, no child grows up under oppression, and no nation in our region suffers from occupation or terrorism.”

A Symbol of Renewal and Unity

The Atatürk Airport Nation’s Garden is one of the flagship projects of Türkiye’s environmental transformation initiative. Built on a vast area that once served as one of Europe’s busiest airports, the project symbolizes renewal — transforming a site of industrial activity into a green sanctuary.

With its ecological corridors, recreation areas, and cultural facilities, the park will serve as a model for sustainable urban living and an emblem of Türkiye’s transition toward environmentally conscious development.

As Erdoğan concluded his address, he reaffirmed that the project was part of a broader vision to make Türkiye a model of civilization in the 21st century. “We will continue to plant trees, build gardens, and raise cities that reflect the soul of our civilization. With every new project, we are laying the foundations of a stronger, greener, and more peaceful Türkiye — and, God willing, a more just and humane region.” (ILKHA)