On Friday 29 October the Atatürk Society UK held a Republic Day Reception, their first major event since the pandemic.
The event saw community members gather together to celebrate the 98 years of the Republic of Turkey, The night, which was prepared with great importance within the scope of the pandemic rules, with extra measures taken at the door and disinfectant was offered to the guests.
Special guests also included the Azerbaijan Ambassador to London Elin Süleymanov who congratulated Jale Özer the President of the Atatürk World Platform, and Dr Ali Tekin Atalar, vice president and Head of Azerbaijan House, on the occasion of the Republic Day.
Besides the participants from different segments of Turkish society, Azerbaijani guests were also present at the night, Such as teacher Dilek Livaneli, who made her mark as the first Turkish teacher among the world’s top 50 teachers, hosted the program.
Özer stated: “ We are living the honour and pride of celebrating its 98th anniversary with great enthusiasm, with our belief that we will recreate the founding philosophy of the Turkish Republic, which was established in 1923 with the rebirth of the Turkish Nation, as a nation. Happy Republic Day, this is our biggest holiday.
“Our heart was to celebrate this celebration with a Republic Ball that appealed to large masses, as we did every year before the pandemic. However, the fact that the epidemic is still continuing has made us decide to take responsibility and celebrate with a smaller number. And this task was undertaken by the ASUK, which is the founding member of the federation this year.
“This holiday is the holiday of the republic, which our ancestors declared by saving our country from the imperialist invaders under the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and entrusted to us by Atatürk, saying, “We founded the Republic, you will keep it alive…
“In addition to celebrating the 98th anniversary of our Republic with honour, pride and enthusiasm, we should go home with the awareness of rebuilding the achievements of the Republic entrusted to us by our Father. That should be tonight’s goal. The Turkish Nation will achieve this with unity and solidarity at home and abroad. Bright days are near.”
The program continued with the songs prepared by Hoş Seda Choir and musician Özgür Canyurt Tandoğan took the stage. Everyone who participated with Özgür, who started with the song “My Country” and made a full Republic celebration enthusiasm with marches, danced with flags in their hands.
