Examines how Turkey’s collective memory of the 2016 coup attempt reveals deep societal fractures regarding democracy and authoritarianism.
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The article discusses how the memory of Turkey’s violent coup attempt on July 15, 2016, is remembered and reinterpreted ten years later. The event involved military units seizing state infrastructure and attacking parliament before being suppressed by loyal army elements and civilian resistance led by President Erdoğan, resulting in over 250 civilian deaths. This was followed by a state of emergency that saw purges against the Gülen movement and other opponents, leading to mass dismissals, closures, and exiles. The piece suggests that while the official narrative emphasizes “national unity,” the memory of this event reveals deep societal divisions: some view it as a defense of democracy, while others see it as an acceleration toward authoritarianism. It invites readers to explore these differing perspectives through personal testimonies.
