Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech during the “From the Conquest of Istanbul to the Conquest of Hearts” program held at the Haliç Congress Center on May 29, 2026, in Istanbul.
The event was organized as part of the celebrations marking the 573rd anniversary of the Conquest of Constantinople, one of the most significant milestones in Turkish and world history. The program brought together government officials, academics, cultural figures, and members of the public to commemorate the historic occasion.
In his address, President Erdoğan reflected on the legacy of the conquest and its lasting impact on the development of Istanbul as a center of civilization, culture, and trade. He emphasized the importance of preserving historical heritage while continuing to build a future based on unity, progress, and shared values.
The theme of the program, “From the Conquest of Istanbul to the Conquest of Hearts,” highlighted not only the historical achievement of 1453 but also the broader concepts of compassion, solidarity, and social harmony. Various presentations and commemorative activities were held throughout the event, celebrating both the city’s history and its modern significance.
The anniversary commemorates the conquest of Constantinople by Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II on May 29, 1453. The event transformed the course of regional and global history and established Istanbul as the capital of a growing empire.
The 2026 commemorations once again underscored Istanbul’s unique place at the crossroads of continents and cultures, with the program at the Haliç Congress Center serving as a key moment in the city’s anniversary celebrations.
President Erdoğan Addresses “From the Conquest of Istanbul to the Conquest of Hearts” Program
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