Long live the Republic: The Republic of Türkiye is 100 Years Old!
Today is October 29, 2023, marking the centenary anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye. The Republic was founded in 1923 after a long and epic struggle that began with the words of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to his close colleagues in Çankaya, “Gentlemen, we declare the Republic tomorrow.” The establishment of the Republic was based on the will of the people, and over the past hundred years, its value and Atatürk’s importance have been increasingly recognized. Today, the Turkish Nation is more committed than ever to protecting the Republic and its Ancestor. As the Altınbaş Family, we celebrate the centenary anniversary of our Republic, and we bring you Atatürk’s words about the Republic, which we believe best represents its essence.
The Republic requires guards who are strong mentally, scientifically and physically and of high quality. “The people of Turkey who founded the Republic of Turkey are called the Turkish nation.” The Republic is in favour of freedom of thought. We respect every idea, provided that it is sincere and legitimate. Every opinion is respected by us. However, our opponents must be fair. (1923) (Atatürk’s S.D. III, P. 71)
The Republic, with its new and solid principles, not only put the Turkish nation on the path of a safe and solid future but, more importantly, heralded a completely new life in terms of the security it created in the ideas and souls. 1936 (Atatürk’s S.D. I, P. 372)
Never assume that future generations will be surprised to see that on the day of the proclamation of the Republic in Turkey, those who claimed to be republicans were among those who attacked it most mercilessly! On the contrary, Turkey’s enlightened and republican children will not hesitate to analyze and identify the true mentality of such pretended-to-be republicans. “The administration that best suits the character and customs of the Turkish Nation is the principle of the Republic.” (1924)
Those who think that our Republic, which was founded on the conscience, wisdom and consciousness of the great Turkish nation and our great army consisting of its heroic sons, and our principles inspired by the spirit of the nation, can be destroyed by the elimination of a body, are wretched people with feeble minds. Such unfortunates have no choice but to be treated as they deserve in the grips of justice and power of the Republic. My humble body will surely turn to dust one day, but the Republic of Turkey will live forever. And the Turkish nation will continue to walk, without hesitation, on the path of civilization with the principles that guarantee its security and happiness. (1926) (Atatürk’s S.D. III, P. 80)
Our Republic is not as weak as it seems. It was not obtained without cost. We shed blood to secure it. We shed our red blood everywhere. We are ready to take any necessary measures to defend our institutions if required. 1923 (Atatürk’s S.D. III, P. 71)
Our current government, our state organization, is a state and government organization created directly and spontaneously by the nation, and its name is the Republic. Unlike in the past, there are no longer any differences between the people and the government. The government is the nation, and the nation is the government. (1925)
It should never be forgotten that the foundation of the Republic is based on a secular worldview, and this fact should not be overlooked. Because the Turkish people have suffered greatly from theocratic rule. This has an important place among the reasons for its backwardness. (1930, Kırklareli) (Utkan Kocatürk, Atatürk Diary with References from Birth to Death, AKDTYK. Atatürk Research Center, Ankara, 1999, p. 437)
Subscribe to Our Newsletter!
Don't miss out on the latest topics.
