Gaziantep’s Panorama 25 December Museum, which commemorates the city’s resistance during Türkiye’s War of Independence, continues to attract strong public interest, with nearly 1.5 million visitors recorded in the five years since it opened.
The museum was inaugurated in December 2020 by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and focuses on the Antep Defence of 1919 to 1921, a civilian-led struggle against French occupation forces. Through immersive displays, original documents, artworks and period artefacts, the museum presents a detailed account of the city’s role in the broader national fight for independence.
“This is not only Gaziantep’s story, but the story of Türkiye’s War of Independence,” said Bekir Sıtkı Severoğlu, chairman of the museum’s Historical Council. “What happened here a century ago — the destruction of hospitals and civilian areas — can still be seen today in places like Gaza and Ukraine. This museum is not about hatred, but about remembrance and conscience.”
Located in Gaziantep’s Seferpaşa neighbourhood, the Panorama 25 December Museum is organised into four main sections. Its centrepiece is a series of large-scale panoramic paintings created by Russian artist Alexander Samsonov, depicting key moments from the Antep Defence. The collection also includes weapons, personal belongings donated by veterans’ families and architectural fragments from buildings damaged during the conflict.
Museum officials say the site aims to preserve historical memory while highlighting the resilience of civilians during wartime. A new permanent hall dedicated to resistance commander Şahinbey’s military archives is scheduled to open later this year, marking the 104th anniversary of Gaziantep’s liberation.
Authorities say the continued interest from both domestic and international visitors reflects the museum’s role as a cultural landmark and an educational space linking past conflicts with contemporary global realities.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could destroy Iran’s infrastructure “in two days,” while Tehran warned the U.S. would...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, was kille...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 16th of May, covering the l...
Deep in the ancient forests of southern China, researchers have discovered a small, shy snake with an extraordinar...
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringin...
The thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum will open in Baku on Sunday, bringing together government representatives, city leaders, urban planners, international organisations, businesses and civil society to discuss the future of sustainable urban development.
Children laughed, applauded and watched wide-eyed as animated characters lit up the screen at the opening of the ninth Animafilm International Animation Festival in Baku, where filmmakers and audiences from around the world gathered to celebrate the growing influence of animated cinema.
The United States is considering asking Israel to transfer part of the tax revenues withheld from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to help fund Gaza’s post-war reconstruction, according to five sources familiar with the discussions.
India and the United Arab Emirates have agreed on a framework for a strategic defence partnership, according to India’s foreign ministry.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has “no trust” in the United States and will only consider negotiations if Washington shows seriousness. His remarks came as talks on Iran’s nuclear programme continued, with Trump and Xi also opposing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran loomed over U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, as signs emerged that the conflict is causing a shift in alliances across the Middle East.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump are holding high-level talks in Beijing on Thursday, following a ceremonial welcome, with both leaders highlighting cooperation despite ongoing tensions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was fighting for his political survival on Thursday (14 May) after Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, saying he had “lost confidence” in Starmer’s leadership.
The second semi-final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026 takes place tonight in a rain-soaked Vienna, with the final 10 places in Saturday’s grand final still up for grabs.
China has launched the world’s first experiment to study how artificial human embryos develop in space, marking a major step in understanding whether humans could one day reproduce beyond Earth.
Every day, an elderly woman in China’s Shandong province looks forward to a video call from her son. He asks about her health, tells her he has been busy with work, and promises he will come home once he has saved enough money. She tells him she misses him. He tells her to take care of herself.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, was killed in an operation conducted by U.S. and Nigerian forces.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 16th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Deep in the ancient forests of southern China, researchers have discovered a small, shy snake with an extraordinary survival trick: when threatened, it creates the illusion that it has two heads.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment