“As the people of Türkiye, we stand tall and united, and we will not lose heart no matter what,' says Senay Gemici, one of the many faces walking the iconic Istiklal Avenue two days after a bomb attack
A big crowd of people walking in every direction despite the fact that it is a weekday. Different faces from different races and nationalities, there for business or leisure, going about their day.
“It was a usual Sunday. The avenue was packed. I was inside, leaning on the window and watching people passing by. It happened in a split second,” recalls a 34-year-old shopkeeper who requested to remain anonymous. “It could have been them, or even me - it could have been any of us,” he said, echoing the experience of other shopkeepers working near the attack.“We’re not afraid. We’re here, and we’re not going anywhere,” said Ebru Kelleli, 48, who works at a hairdresser across the street.
“It is challenging to recover, to cope. But we have to be strong. Despite everything, we have opened the shop and we are here,” said 27-year-old Asli Bilen, who witnessed Sunday’s attack while working at a fast food restaurant two buildings away. Another among the many faces walking the avenue was 51-year-old Ersin Ekiz and his 15-year-old daughter Berina. They had planned to visit on the day of the attack, but coincidentally postponed before the attack happened.“But now we are here, and that actually helps our morale. Seeing the crowds, and our flags all through the avenue is comforting, it makes us feel safe,” he added as the nostalgic tram passed through the tracks next to them, packed with people as always.
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