Victory Day celebrations mark firsts

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Celebrations for the 90th Victory Day marked many symbolic firsts, as civilian officials became more visible during yesterday’s events, part of ongoing civilianization efforts of the government.

In the absence of President Abdullah Gül, Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Çiçek led the celebrations both at Anıtkabir, Atatürk’s mausoleum, and during a parade at the Ankara Hippodrome.

Previous years’ celebrations

In previous years the president and other civilian rulers did not join the wreath-laying ceremony at Anıtkabir. Celebrated as Turkish Armed Forces Day, Victory Day was marked under the military’s auspices. If Gül’s health had permitted, he would also be the first president to host the Victory Day reception instead of the chief of general staff.

Gül was unable to join the celebrations and had to cancel the reception upon medical advice as his intensified treatment is still ongoing.

Çiçek laid the wreath from the presidency at Atatürk’s mausoleum and signed the official Anıtkabir memorial book in Misak-I Milli (National Pact) Tower.