Proposed Institutional Implementation Framework for 19–25 May
Proposed Institutional Implementation Framework for 19–25 May
Under Decision No. 40, the institutional date of the week is 19–25 May. The decision text records only the adoption and announcement of these dates; the seven-day thematic framework below is not part of the decision but an institutional implementation proposal by TMDH–WTCA. The initial publication date of this website is 26 August 2026, during Victory Week (26–30 August).
The Historical and Symbolic Meaning of 19 May
Historical record: Afet İnan recounts that Atatürk did not know the exact day of his birth and indicated 19 May. In the official reply of 12 November 1936 reproduced in the same study, the Presidential General Secretariat reported 19 May 1881 as his date of birth.
Institutional interpretation: TMDH–WTCA treats the historical meaning of 19 May 1919 and this symbolic-birthday association as one of the institutional reasons for selecting 19–25 May. This interpretation does not confer state recognition, public-law status, or official-calendar status on the week.
Sources: İnan 1980, p. 641; Gülyiyen 2024, pp. 2–3.
| Day | Date | Theme | Programme | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | May 19 | Opening & CommemorationNational Day | Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day. The opening of the proposed institutional implementation framework on the anniversary of the landing at Samsun; commemorative ceremonies, exhibitions connected to the Çankaya Residence, and the TMDH statement. | Institutional opening |
| Day 2 | May 20 | Academic Day | An academic panel on Atatürk's eating habits; presentation of Murat Bardakçı's work and the WTCA assessment report. A symposium for universities and culinary arts departments. | WTCA report |
| Day 3 | May 21 | Remembering the Chefs | Events in memory of Halit Atay, Kemal Erten and Mehmet Yücel; presentation of the Mengen (Bolu) culinary tradition. Participants hold cooking workshops built around historical recipes. | TMDH remembrance |
| Day 4 | May 22 | Kuru Fasulye DayShared theme | Kuru fasulye, recalled in testimony as a dish Atatürk frequently requested and named first, proposed as a shared theme for this date. Participating kitchens, community tables, school cafeterias and restaurants may voluntarily adopt it. | Voluntary shared theme |
| Day 5 | May 23 | Salonika Day | The food culture of Atatürk's Salonika years; ıspanaklı börek and fava cooking workshops. An academic examination and presentation of the Aegean–Balkan culinary bridge. | Cultural bridge |
| Day 6 | May 24 | Youth & the Future | Events passing Atatürk's table heritage to future generations; school kitchens, junior chef competitions, and creative cooking workshops built on historical recipes. | Across generations |
| Day 7 | May 25 | International Day & ClosingFinal · Declaration | Participating diaspora communities in the USA and elsewhere may organize their own events around dishes associated with Atatürk in the sources. Where participation occurs, the day may conclude with TMDH–WTCA's review of the week and an institutional closing record. | Voluntary participation |
Opening & Commemoration · National Day
The opening of the proposed institutional implementation framework on the anniversary of the landing at Samsun; ceremonies, Çankaya-linked exhibitions and the TMDH statement.
Academic Day
Panel on his eating habits; presentation of Bardakçı's work and the WTCA report; a symposium for universities.
Remembering the Chefs
Events in memory of Halit Atay, Kemal Erten and Mehmet Yücel; the Mengen tradition; historical recipe workshops.
Kuru Fasulye Day
Participating kitchens may voluntarily adopt a shared kuru fasulye theme on this date; community tables, schools and restaurants.
Salonika Day
The food culture of his Salonika years; ıspanaklı börek and fava workshops; the Aegean–Balkan bridge examined.
Youth & the Future
Passing the table heritage to the young; school kitchens, junior chef competitions, creative workshops.
International Day & Closing · Declaration
Events organized by participating diaspora communities; where participation occurs, the week may conclude with TMDH–WTCA's review and an institutional closing record.