Turkish mother preserves killed soldier son’s memory with wax statue, belongings

Emine Bastan, the Turkish mother of Sergeant Bahattin Bastan, who was killed in action in Siirt’s Eruh district in 2018, created a memorial space where she carefully preserves her son’s wax statue and personal belongings.

Mother builds memorial to honor fallen son

In Gundogdu neighborhood of Trabzon’s Duzkoy district, Emine Bastan constructed a building next to her home in 2020, with the support of her family and local officials, to honor the memory of her son, Bahattin Bastan. Bahattin was killed in action while serving in the Eruh district of Siirt in 2018.

The building, designed to resemble a small museum, has a ceiling that features a star-and-crescent design inspired by the Turkish flag. Inside, Emine displays her son’s uniforms, military gear such as boots, berets, and bayonets, alongside his photographs, certificates of achievement, and various personal items.

Wax statue gifted by authorities

Thanks to the support of the Trabzon Governor‘s Office and the Metropolitan Municipality, Emine Bastan received a wax statue of her son, which is now displayed prominently in the memorial.

This statue, along with his belongings, helps Emine keep his memory alive. “The pain of losing my son still feels as fresh as the first day,” she shared, reflecting on the deep loss she continues to feel six years after his passing.

‘He doesn’t speak, but I still talk to him’

Bastan recalled a poignant memory before her son’s tomb, saying, “He called me and said, ‘Mom, I will come home 20 days before Ramadan.’ But instead, his coffin arrived 15 days before the holiday. I never got to see him again.”

Although her son has been gone for six years, the grief remains. “I still talk to him,” she said. “He doesn’t speak back, but I feel like he’s there. The wax statue resembles him so much; I come and hug it, and it brings me some comfort.”

Place of remembrance for visitors

The memorial has attracted many visitors, including Bahattin’s friends from Siirt who come to pay their respects. Emine noted, “People are curious about this place. His friends, even from Siirt, come here. All of his belongings are kept right here.”

Through this heartfelt tribute, Emine Bastan has managed to create a space that not only preserves the memory of her son but also offers a place for others to reflect on the sacrifices made by Türkiye’s soldiers. The building stands as a testament to a mother’s enduring love and the importance of remembrance.