Atatürk commemorated at his birthplace in Selanik

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Türkiye, was commemorated at the house where he was born in Thessaloniki on November 10, marking the 88th anniversary of his death.

The ceremony, organised by the Consulate General of Türkiye in Thessaloniki (Selanik), attracted a large number of participants from Türkiye and various European countries.

The garden of the Atatürk House was filled with attendees, while hundreds more gathered outside the building to follow the commemoration.

The ceremony began at 9:05 a.m., the time of Atatürk's death, with a two-minute silence, followed by the Turkish national anthem.

CONSUL GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS ATATÜRK'S LEGACY

Addressing the gathering, Türkiye's Consul General in Selanik, Erdem Kutlu, said it was a source of great pride for him to commemorate Atatürk alongside citizens at the house where he was born.

Kutlu noted the strong interest shown by visitors arriving from Türkiye and around the world, saying their participation reinforced confidence in the future of the Republic.

He expressed his conviction that the Republic of Türkiye, founded on the principles of a modern, democratic and secular state governed by the rule of law, would endure.

Emphasising the significance of commemorating Atatürk in his birthplace, Kutlu said he remained immortal in the hearts of every Turkish citizen. He also highlighted the shared values of patriotism, independence, national unity and modernisation, as well as Atatürk's emphasis on the role of children, young people and women in society.

Following the consul general's address, students who had travelled from Türkiye recited poems in Atatürk's memory.

ATATÜRK HOUSE OPENS TO VISITORS

After the ceremony, the Atatürk House was opened to the public. Hundreds of visitors who had travelled to Thessaloniki formed long queues to enter the historic residence.