Traditional Dawn Service held at Anzac Cove for 111th anniversary

By Yusuf İnan | Wise News Press

ÇANAKKALE, TURKEY — Thousands of Australians and New Zealanders gathered at Anzac Cove on the historical Gallipoli Peninsula for the traditional Dawn Service, marking the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli Land Battles.

The ceremony, held on April 25, 2026, commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) on these shores in 1915. Participants traveled from the Çanakkale city center to the peninsula overnight, enduring the cold in sleeping bags and blankets to wait for the first light of dawn. The event serves as a poignant reminder of a shared history that has transformed a site of conflict into a symbol of international friendship.

A vigil in the cold

Descendants of the Anzacs arrived at the commemorative site in the early hours via shuttle services. While waiting for the official start of the service at 04:40, participants watched documentaries about the Gallipoli campaign on large screens set up in the area. The atmosphere was one of quiet reflection, with many attendees stating that the experience allowed them to connect with the hardships faced by their ancestors over a century ago.

Personal connections and empathy

For many Australian and New Zealand citizens, making the pilgrimage to Çanakkale is a significant life goal. Jennifer Olver, who traveled from Adelaide, shared her thoughts with Anadolu Agency while waiting for the service. Olver, whose grandfather fought on the peninsula, stated:

"Coming here is something most Australians want to do once in their lives. Standing where they stood and experiencing their conditions is truly wonderful."

Similarly, Christine Glass from Sydney emphasized that Anzac Day remains one of the most important dates in Australian history. She noted that waiting in the cold helped her empathize with the conditions her ancestors endured during the 1915 landings.

The formal ceremony and calls for peace

The official program began with speeches from representatives of the New Zealand and Australian Defense Forces. The ceremony included a "Karanga"—a traditional Maori call to gathering—and various commemorative videos, including a tribute to the Shell Green Cemetery.

On behalf of the Turkish Armed Forces, a speech was delivered that included the reading of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s famous letter addressed to the "Anzac mothers." The letter, read in both Turkish and English, reassured the families of fallen foreign soldiers that their sons were now resting in peace in Turkish soil.

Commemorating a shared history

New Zealand Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro addressed the crowd, highlighting the enduring bond between the nations involved. "Every year on Anzac Day, we return to the battlefields of Gallipoli to remember the Turkish, New Zealander, and Australian soldiers, and everyone who served and lost their lives here," Kiro stated.

The ceremony concluded with the laying of wreaths by representatives from Turkey and other nations, followed by a minute of silence and the playing of the national anthems of Turkey, Australia, and New Zealand. High-ranking officials, including Çanakkale Governor Ömer Toraman and Gallipoli Historical Site President İsmail Kaşdemir, attended the proceedings alongside foreign dignitaries and thousands of guests.

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