Ulku Adatepe, the adopted daughter of world-renowned Turkish national hero Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, addressed an enthusiastic audience yesterday in commemoration of her father, who is internationally regarded as the founder of modern Turkey.
In an event sponsored by the Turkish Students Association, Adatepe's speech was followed by the showing of Turkish film director Kursat Kizbaz's newest documentary regarding Turkey's role in World War I.
Speaking in Turkish to dozens of students and faculty in Huntsman Hall, Adatepe mostly expounded on her adopted father's personal side.
Adatepe related many childhood stories regarding the five years she spent in Ataturk's care.
"Ataturk was more than a simple leader, he really knew how to connect with people," College sophomore Aslihan Sen said. Sen translated for Adatepe, who spoke in rapid Turkish. "He showed the same love for his daughters as he did for his people," Sen added.
Ataturk is considered one of the greatest figures of the 20th century.
He founded the modern Turkish Republic, creating a prosperous nation from the embers of the Ottoman Empire. Ataturk led Turkish rebels to victory in their 1919 war for independence, and the reforms he subsequently implemented garnered him the love of the Turkish people, to the point of being officially christened Ataturk -- meaning "Father of the Turks."
Turkish students rejoiced at the chance to listen to Ataturk's daughter.
"This is an incredible opportunity for us," Sen said. "She had so much to say about Ataturk's wonderful personal side. I wish my parents could be here."
"Having his daughter here," Engineering sophomore Mustafa Tumen said, "was like having him here."
