Türkiye marks 103rd Republic Day with nationwide celebrations
Türkiye marked the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the republic on Thursday with official ceremonies, cultural programs and public celebrations across the country, with the capital Ankara serving as the center of commemorations.
Turkish flags were raised at homes, workplaces and public spaces, while municipalities organized concerts, cultural activities and public events. Families gathered in parks and squares, with parades and fireworks scheduled in major cities throughout the evening.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, as part of the national commemorations.
On Oct. 29, 1923, Ataturk proclaimed the Republic of Türkiye, establishing a new political system based on national sovereignty. The Turkish Grand National Assembly subsequently elected him as the country's first president.
The republic emerged from the Turkish War of Independence, led by Ataturk and the national movement against foreign occupation and efforts to partition Anatolia following World War I.
The establishment of the republic ended the Ottoman system of hereditary rule and placed political sovereignty in the hands of the nation.
It was followed by extensive reforms across political, legal, educational and social institutions, aimed at transforming Türkiye into a modern nation-state. These included the modernization of the legal and education systems, the expansion of public education and institutional reforms.
Republic Day commemorates the country's struggle for independence and the principle that national sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the people.
Erdogan calls for Turkic unity under 'Turkish Century'
Alongside the Republic Day celebrations, Erdogan called on Turkic states to strengthen cooperation and solidarity, expressing confidence that the coming period could become the "Turkish Century."
"We will strive to make the coming period the Turkish Century through full solidarity, mutual respect and brotherhood," Erdogan said Thursday at a dinner reception for leaders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Ankara.
The reception was held as Türkiye hosted the organization's 13th summit on Thursday and Friday under the theme "Turkic Century: Unity in Language, Thought and Deed."
The summit is expected to focus on regional cooperation, strengthening ties among member states and advancing the Turkic World Vision 2040.
Established in 2009, the OTS comprises Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan as members. Turkmenistan, Hungary, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Economic Cooperation Organization participate as observers.
President highlights republic's achievements
Addressing the reception, Erdogan also described the republic as the common achievement and shared home of Türkiye's 86 million people, saying the country continued to advance through major achievements in various fields.
He reaffirmed Türkiye's determination to overcome challenges and pursue its national objectives, drawing parallels with the struggle that led to the establishment of the republic 103 years ago.
Erdogan said the nation remained committed to raising Türkiye above the level of contemporary civilizations, recalling the difficult conditions under which the republic was founded.
He concluded by congratulating the Turkish people on Republic Day and expressing hope for continued unity, solidarity and brotherhood among Turkic states.
Source:AA
