October 29 Republic Day

President Gül, attending the ceremony held at Anıtkabir (Atatürk’s mausoleum) to mark the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, received congratulations at the Çankaya Presidential Palace. Afterwards, the President participated in the celebrations held at the Atatürk Culture Center (AKM) along with First Lady Hayrünnisa Gül, watched the parade and greeted citizens.

GÜL RECEIVES CONGRATULATIONS

After the celebrations held at Anıtkabir, President Gül proceeded to the Çankaya Presidential Palace, where he received the congratulations.

CELEBRATIONS AT ATATURK CULTURE CENTER (AKM)

After receiving congratulations at the Çankaya Presidential Palace on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, President Gül proceeded to the AKM, where he and the First Lady attended the ceremony to mark the occasion.

President Gül arrived at the AKM in an open-top convertible with Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Özel. The President accompanied by mounted police, gendarmerie and police motorcade waved at the large and enthusiastic crowds along the parade route.

The celebrations were launched after the national anthem was sung. Afterwards, students read poems and performed folk dances. In the meantime, skydivers from the Turkish Aviation Association (THK) and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) mesmerized the crowd that jubilantly applauded the parachutists.

OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MARMARAY PROJECT

President Abdullah Gül participated in the opening ceremony of the Marmaray Railway Project.

Welcomed upon his arrival at Üsküdar Square by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister Binali Yıldırım of Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications, President Gül delivered a speech during the ceremony. Noting that the government, with the opening of this huge project, gave a beautiful present to the citizens on the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. The Marmaray Project, President Gül said, is of great importance not only to Istanbul but also to the whole world and shared his pride in opening the project and recalled that the foundation of the project was laid in 2004.

CEREMONY HELD AT ANITKABİR

Attending the ceremony held in the morning to mark the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey at Anıtkabir, President Abdullah Gül, after laying a wreath at the mausoleum, stood in silent homage and wrote the following in the Book of Honor in the Misak-ı Milli Tower:

“August Atatürk,

We are jubilantly celebrating the 90th anniversary of our Republic, which enabled our nation to have a say in the administration.

Winning the legendary War of Independence under your leadership, our nation is resolutely progressing toward the goal to raise Turkey to “beyond the level of the modern states” with an unshakable will.

We are proud today that Turkey, through the achievements of our almost 100-year-old Republic, is a country which is rising in all areas and is becoming a global center of attraction.

We are also proud of the many magnificient accomplishments of our Republic. We protect the ideals you demonstrated and are making tireless efforts to carry our country to the upper level through development in all areas.

We as the whole nation bow respectfully before you and extend our gratitude to you on Republic Day.

May you rest in peace.”