Honorary Chairman Avni Ongurlar Joins August 30 Reception in London
Hafız Mustafa 1864 Honorary Chairman Avni Ongurlar attended the August 30 Victory Day and Turkish Armed Forces Day reception organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in London.
Guests from diplomacy, business, media, civil society, and Turkish community organizations across the United Kingdom gathered at the reception.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to London Osman Koray Ertaş and his wife Sevcan Ertaş, together with Armed Forces Attaché Colonel Özgür Dündar and his wife Lütfiye Özgür, welcomed guests at the embassy reception.
For Hafız Mustafa 1864, Avni Ongurlar’s participation carried special meaning. A company founded in Istanbul in 1864 continues to share a close connection with Turkish history, culture, and community life wherever its name is known.
August 30 Commemorated in the British Capital
London hosted the reception in honor of the 104th anniversary of the August 30 Victory.
Guests gathered to remember the historic victory achieved on August 30, 1922, under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
The program opened with a moment of respect for the martyrs who gave their lives for the homeland. Guests then joined the Turkish National Anthem.
People who lost their lives in the recent ship accident near Kyrenia were also remembered during the program.
The evening offered members of the Turkish community in Britain a meaningful opportunity to commemorate one of Türkiye’s most important national dates together.
Avni Ongurlar Joins Guests From Diplomacy and Business
Avni Ongurlar joined senior diplomatic representatives, military officials, business leaders, journalists, and members of civil society during the reception.
His attendance also carried a personal connection to Hafız Mustafa’s growing relationship with London.
Hafız Mustafa’s story began in Istanbul during the Ottoman era and now reaches guests in Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. London has become an important part of the company’s international story in recent years.
National days, therefore, have a particular emotional value for the Hafız Mustafa family.
History lives through people who remember it. Culture continues through people who share it. For a company with over a century and a half behind its name, those ideas feel very close to home.
Distinguished Guests Join the Reception
The evening welcomed Aysan Mullahasan Atılgan, Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in London, alongside Air Attaché Colonel Şamil Koptekin and Major General Shaun Hams, the United Kingdom’s International Air Operations Relations Coordinator.
Deputy Consul General Turan Oğuz Gönültaş, Vice Consul Cumhur Özkan, BTA Chairman Murat Şükrü Acar, Union of International Democrats President Halil Erdoğan, and representatives from Turkish organizations in Britain also attended.
Media representatives included Nural Ezel, owner of Olay Newspaper; Hasan Esen, TRT’s UK correspondent; Behlül Çetinkaya, Anadolu Agency correspondent; Gökhan Bozkurt, NTV’s London correspondent; Berfu Güven, CNBC-e’s London correspondent; and Ergin Balabeyoğlu, founder of BY TV.
The guest list reflected the broad Turkish community connected with London’s diplomatic, commercial, cultural, and media circles.
Ambassador Osman Koray Ertaş Addresses Guests
Ambassador Osman Koray Ertaş shared his August 30 message during the reception.
Ertaş spoke about the historical importance of the Great Victory achieved on August 30, 1922, under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s leadership.
His remarks also addressed the Turkish Armed Forces and Türkiye’s progress in the defense industry.
The ambassador also spoke about relations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom. Cooperation between the two countries continues in defense, security, commerce, and several related fields.
Armed Forces Attaché Colonel Özgür Dündar also addressed guests during the program.
The reception continued with refreshments and conversations among participants.
A Meaningful August 30 in London
August 30 remains one of the most important dates in Türkiye’s national memory.
The London reception gave guests a chance to remember the victory, honor the martyrs, and spend the evening together as members and friends of the Turkish community.
Avni Ongurlar joined the commemoration on behalf of a company whose own history stretches back well before the founding of the Republic.
Hafız Mustafa has witnessed generations pass through Istanbul since 1864.
Today, the company shares Turkish culinary culture in London while remaining closely connected to its roots.
For us, being part of such a meaningful evening is a source of genuine pride.
History belongs in books, archives, and museums.
It also lives in gatherings where people remember together.