ISTANBUL
Ceremonies commemorating the 86th anniversary of the passing of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of the Republic of Türkiye, were held on Sunday worldwide.
In the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), officials including President Ersin Tatar, Turkish Ambassador Yasin Ekrem Serim, and military leaders, gathered at the Ataturk Monument in the capital Lefkosa for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a moment of silence as flags were lowered to half-mast.
Tatar signed the monument’s special book, writing a tribute to Ataturk’s enduring legacy, expressing confidence that future generations would safeguard the republic and remain devoted to Ataturk’s vision.
Similar ceremonies and tributes took place in cities and towns across the TRNC.
Turkish embassies in cities from Azerbaijan’s Baku to China’s Beijing hosted events, with attendees paying tribute to Ataturk through moments of silence, the singing of Türkiye’s national anthem, and speeches from ambassadors who praised his enduring influence.
In Azerbaijan’s capital Baku, a crowd gathered at the Ataturk Monument, where Türkiye’s Ambassador to Baku Cahit Bagci, military and government representatives, Turkish citizens, and students from Turkish institutions were present.
The ceremony began with a moment of silence at 9.05 a.m., the exact time of Ataturk’s death, followed by the Turkish national anthem.
Bagci expressed gratitude for Ataturk’s legacy, saying: “He is a leader who left a lasting impact well beyond his era with his ideas and works.”
Ataturk was also commemorated in Russia, where Turkish Ambassador Tanju Bilgic hosted an event at the Turkish Embassy in Moscow.
The ceremony included a video featuring Turkish children in Russia who shared personal reflections on Ataturk’s significance, followed by wreath-laying and a moment of silence.
Similar events were held in Doha, Qatar, where Turkish Ambassador Mustafa Goksu paid tribute, noting: “We remember Ataturk and his comrades in arms with mercy and gratitude.”
In Tbilisi, Georgia, Türkiye’s Ambassador Ali Kaan Orbay addressed the attendees, praising Ataturk for his role in establishing the Republic of Türkiye.
Orbay also highlighted Ataturk’s significance as an inspiration for other nations striving for independence and modernization.
Türkiye’s diplomatic mission in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, also observed the anniversary, with Ambassador Olgan Bekar emphasizing that “Atatürk’s greatness continues to be better understood with each passing day.”
Across European capitals, ceremonies were held at Turkish embassies, including in Brussels and Stockholm.
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Sweden Yonet Can Tezel remembered Ataturk with respect, recalling the enthusiasm he witnessed during the November 10 ceremonies inTürkiye, where citizens stopped their cars to join the moment of silence.
At the Turkish Embassy in Beijing, Ambassador Ismail Hakki Musa hosted a ceremony featuring a video tribute to Ataturk.
Ataturk led the battle of Turkish independence, which started on May 15, 1919, with the firing of the first bullet against the occupying Greek forces. The remarkable achievements on the battlefield ultimately resulted in Turkish independence, and the Republic of Türkiye was founded on Oct. 29, 1923.
Ataturk served as the first president of the republic until his passing on Nov. 10, 1938 in Istanbul, at the age of 57.
