Türkiye set to mark 99th anniversary of Republic Day

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - Celebrations to mark Türkiye's 99th anniversary of Republic Day, including official ceremonies, sports events and concerts, will start on Saturday.

The day will begin with a visit to Anitkabir, the mausoleum of the country's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the capital Ankara, by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other top officials. Erdogan will later accept greetings at the presidential complex.

Communications Directorate will also organize 3D "video mapping" shows under the theme "Century of Türkiye" at historical landmarks in Istanbul and Ankara such as the Galata Tower and Presidential Symphony Orchestra building.

The “Century of Türkiye” is a new series of programs, projects and targets for development announced by President Erdogan as the country prepares to celebrate its centennial in 2023.

The Turkish War of Independence started with Ataturk's landing on the city of Samsun on the Black Sea coast in 1919.

Anatolia's liberation from occupation opened a new chapter in Turkish history as the new Turkish state was recognized under the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923.

On Oct. 29, 1923, Ataturk officially declared the name of the nation and proclaimed the country's status as a republic.

A vote then took place in Türkiye’s parliament, the Grand National Assembly, and Ataturk, a revolutionary statesman, was unanimously elected the first president of the Republic of Türkiye.

Since then, Türkiye has celebrated Republic Day every year on Oct. 29.