Western Thrace Turks celebrate 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye with joy

Thousands of cognates from all over Western Thrace flocked to the reception organised by the Consulate General of Türkiye in Komotini for the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Türkiye. The 100th anniversary reception was also attended by many Greek officials.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Komotini, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic, hosted a reception on Monday 30 October at the Astrea Hall in Yassıköy in the province of Rhodope between 19.00 - 21.00.

The Republic Day reception was attended by the elected Mufti of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, MPs, former and newly elected members of the State Assembly, current and newly elected local administrators, heads and managers of minority associations, teachers, religious officials and thousands of cognates.

Consul General of Komotini Aykut Ünal and his wife İlayda Ünal welcomed the guests at the entrance of the hall and accepted the congratulations.

The ceremony started with the national anthems of Türkiye and Greece. Following the programme, Consul General of Türkiye in Komotini Aykut Ünal made a speech. Consul General Ünal thanked all the participants and stated that he felt lucky as a diplomat who has the privilege of serving in Komotini to celebrate the 100th anniversary. Aykut Ünal also stated that the pictures drawn by the children participating in the painting competition organised by the Turkish Union of Xanthi for the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye were exhibited in the hall and thanked the Turkish Union of Xanthi.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's message was read by Consul General Barış Çulha.

After the speeches, the participants were shown a video with photographs about the struggle of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his friends during the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye. The guests who attended the reception took a souvenir photo with Consul General Aykut Ünal and his wife İlayda Ünal.