Turkey set to mark 94th anniversary of Republic Day

ANKARA

Turkey is set to officially mark the 94th anniversary of the republic’s founding day on Oct. 29, with the usual celebrations expected in the streets around the country.

The Istanbul Classic Automobile Association (İKOD) announced it is set to perform in a “Long Live the Republic!” convoy, parading 100 of their retro cars on the July 15th Martyrs Bridge connecting Europe and Asia in Istanbul on Oct. 26.

After the celebrations that are in the form of a march come to an end on Vatan Street on the European side and Baghdad Avenue on the Asian side, the cars will show-off crossing to the other continent, the association has announced.

In Istanbul’s Kartal district on the Asian side, a “Republic Parade” is also set to take place. The Bosphorus Jazz Choir will perform and Şevval Sam, a well-known Turkish singer/actress from the Black Sea region, will take the stage in Kartal. A similar celebration will take place in Antalya’s Manavgat region.

Hundreds of associations, law societies, non-governmental organizations, government offices, city councils, schools and businesses have already released celebration messages to mark the republic’s 94th anniversary. Events including tournaments, parades, concerts, speeches, festivals and other gatherings including domestic and international receptions are set to host citizens, excited to celebrate the anniversary with red-and-white flags in their hands.

Many of the municipalities around the country will lay wreaths on statues of the founder of the republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The main event, is a ceremony due to take place in Anıtkabir, Atatürk’s resting place in the Turkish capital, with thousands flocking to the mausoleum to pay their respects and Turkish officials paying their visits to the key national figure.

In 2016, referring to the defeated July 15 coup, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wrote in the mausoleum’s memorial book:

“On the night of July 15, domestic and foreign circles that targeted independence, democracy and the legal government of our country were once again defeated thanks to the nation’s courage and resistance.”

The official proclamation of the Turkish Republic by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk took place on Oct. 29, 1923 when the name of the nation and its status as a republic were declared.

A vote then took place in the Grand National Assembly and Atatürk, a revolutionary statesman, was elected first president of the Republic of Turkey by a unanimous vote. Since then, Turkey celebrates Republic Day every year on Oct. 29.