site.btaErdogan Reaffirms Commitment to National Values on Ataturk Anniversary

The 87th anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founding leader of the Republic of Turkiye, was commemorated with official ceremonies and public observances across the country. Traditionally citizens joined the commemoration, at exactly 9:05 a.m., the moment of Ataturk’s death, people paused for a minute of silence, drivers stopped their vehicles to take part in the tribute.

In the capital Ankara, a state ceremony was held at the Anitkabir mausoleum, Ataturk’s resting place. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Numan Kurtulmus attended the ceremony along with ministers, military commanders, and leaders of political parties. Thousands of citizens also visited the mausoleum to pay their respects. 

At the ceremony, which was broadcast live on social media, Erdogan said that the government and people in public office continue to follow Ataturk's example in their desire to enhance the country's reputation globally and develop it domestically. Erdogan’s speech at the subsequent memorial ceremony at the Centre for Culture, Language, and History in Ankara, whose patron is Ataturk, was similar. 

"We have expanded Turkiye, strengthened our unity, and enabled our people to enjoy the greatest successes and victories of the last century. We have brought the country to a position where it can compete with the rest of the world in every field, just as Ataturk dreamed for Turkiye, calling it his greatest work. We have educated millions of young people who are alert, hard-working, self-confident, faithful, well-mannered, and virtuous, and who will be our light for tomorrow. Hopefully, we will continue to work for Turkiye for many years to come, to serve and produce for our country, and to help our country achieve its goals in every field," Erdogan said.

Paying tribute to Ataturk continues throughout the day. Hundreds of thousands of citizens laid flowers at his tomb in the Anitkabir mausoleum complex and at monuments around the country. In Istanbul, many people visited Dolmabahce Palace in Besiktas, where Ataturk died in 1938. Visitors toured the room where he passed away.