Nation marks 86th anniversary of the republic with joyful ceremonies

The 86th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey was celebrated yesterday with joyful, colorful ceremonies nationwide as well as in Northern Cyprus and Turkey's representations abroad. The first ceremony took place at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. President Abdullah Gul led a delegation of the country’s top officials, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin, and Chief of General Staff Ilker Basbug, to the mausoleum, where he placed a wreath of red and white carnations. The group paid homage to Ataturk and sang the Turkish national anthem. The ceremony concluded with Gul signing Anitkabir's memorial guestbook, writing, Gul said, "Great Ataturk, we experience the pride and joy of having brought our republic to its 86th anniversary. The republic has shown the entire world that our nation will never compromise on its independence and liberty. The republic is proof of our determination to occupy the rightful place we deserve in the modern world." Gul stressed that Turkey has come a long way in the areas of democratization and human rights and highlighted Turkey’s international achievements and contributions to global peace and stability. "We are determined to strengthen the republic with progress, continue our democracy, and leave a stronger and a more prosperous country to future generations," he wrote. Gul later proceeded to a ceremony at Parliament, with the attendance of Speaker Sahin, Premier Erdogan, Chief of General Staff Basbug, Constitutional Court President Hasim Kilic, Supreme Court of Appeals Chief Justice Hasan Gerceker, Council of State head Mustafa Birden, members of the Cabinet, military force commanders, Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Baykal, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, members of Parliament’s Presidency, deputies, and heads of various government agencies. Gul also received the heads of foreign missions in Turkey at the ceremony. Two separate receptions were also held at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, one in the morning and one in the evening. The receptions were attended by top government and state officials, deputies, politicians, representatives of foreign missions, and distinguished figures from the worlds of business, art, and the media. Basbug also hosted a reception marking the day at Ankara's Central Military House. In Vatan Caddesiin Istanbul, Governor Muammer Guler, 1st Army Commander Gen. Hasan Igsiz, Mayor Kadir Topbas, Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Aykut Cengiz Engin, Chief of Police Huseyin Capkin, and other top officials took part in a special ceremony. In honor of the day, the Istanbul Greater Municipality also held a spectacular fireworks and laser light show by the Bosphorus, to the delight of assembled Istanbulities. Similar ceremonies and events were held across the country to honor the august birthday.