Van marches for 120 heroic children who froze to death in WWI

By Yusuf İnan | Wise News Press

VAN, TÜRKIYE — Local authorities, students, and citizens in the eastern province of Van organized a solemn march to honor the memory of 120 heroic children who froze to death while transporting ammunition to the front lines during World War I.

The event commemorates the sacrifice of young volunteers who carried supplies to the Hoy Front, highlighting the region's historical resilience and contribution to the national struggle.

Walking in the footsteps of history

The commemoration program began in front of the Van-Şişli Teachers' House. Participants marched under the slogan, "They set out from Van arm in arm in the dead of winter," carrying Turkish flags along Maraş Avenue. The procession concluded at the 120 Van Children Monument located in Kurtuluş Park.

During the ceremony, Van Provincial Director of National Education Bilal Yılmaz Çandıroğlu delivered a speech emphasizing the magnitude of the sacrifice made by the children.

A legacy of sacrifice

Addressing the crowd, Çandıroğlu drew parallels between the children of Van and other major historical battles.

"Just so these flags could wave in the skies today, 90,000 were martyred in Sarıkamış, 250,000 in Çanakkale (Gallipoli), and here, 120 of our children," Çandıroğlu said. "Thank God, there are always brave ones willing to become martyrs for these lands."

State protocol attendance

The ceremony concluded with prayers and the placing of carnations at the monument. The event was attended by high-ranking local officials, including Van Governor Ozan Balcı, Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General Mücahit Avkıran, Provincial Police Chief Murat Mutlu, and numerous public institution heads alongside students.

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