ISTANBUL / AA

A digital experience space was set up in Taksim Square and a "Silent Testimony" exhibition in Üsküdar Square in Istanbul on Wednesday as part of the 10th anniversary events of "Democracy and National Unity Day" on July 15.

According to Anadolu Agency correspondent, the commemoration events are organized by the Istanbul Governorship in collaboration with the Presidency's Directorate of Communications and the July 15 Association.

Photo: Mustafa Mert Karaca / AA

The martyrs are remembered with mercy, and gratitude is expressed to veterans, while the programs prepared for this occasion aim to preserve the common national memory.

The digital experience space set up by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications in Taksim Square attracts the attention of both Turkish and foreign tourists.

Visitors can leave their messages and feelings on the digital "Tree of Memories" via interactive screens.

Photo: Mustafa Mert Karaca / AA

During the day, many messages written by visitors about the July 15 events were displayed on the screen, and notes written in different languages drew attention.

Most foreign tourists left messages calling for peace, brotherhood, and unity, while Istanbul residents prayed for mercy for the July 15 martyrs and recited Al-Fatiha for their souls.

The experience space also includes digital displays and visual content documenting the events of the night of July 15, while citizens and tourists took commemorative photos in front of the site, and the area saw lines forming at times.

Photo: Mustafa Mert Karaca / AA

The site is located directly behind the Republic Monument in Taksim Square, one of the key locations where citizens gathered to defend democracy on the night of the coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

Visitors continue to share their messages and commemorate the July 15 martyrs via digital applications, and the experience space is expected to continue receiving visitors throughout the day.

As part of the same events, a commemorative program was held in Üsküdar Square, where the "Silent Testimony" exhibition was opened, aimed at conveying the people's sacrifices to future generations.

The exhibition features 253 Turkish flags, equal to the number of July 15 martyrs, displaying the martyrs' names, birth dates, and cities, while visitors prayed for mercy for the martyrs and recited prayers for their souls.

Turkey commemorates every July 15 the anniversary of the failed coup attempt in 2016, which resulted in 253 deaths and over two thousand injuries. Ankara accuses the Fethullah Gülen organization of being behind it, which the organization denies.