Learning about history of Turkey

This blog will be a short introduction to modern Turkish history. So the blog will be maybe boring but full of information.

Being a longterm volunteer in Turkey means to get familiar and used to Turkish culture, it means learning a lot about their history. What you can’t miss is the picture of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his Picture hangs everywhere as he is considered as the national hero. Even little kids in kindergartens are learning about this legendary hero who achieved an outstanding military and political victory and established a republic on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. In two weeks there were 2 big days, connected to the history of Turkey, especially to Mr. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

29 Ekim (October) is the Republic Day of Turkey (Cumhuriyet Bayramı), this year it was the 95th anniversary, is a national holiday in Turkey. I think from the name of the national holiday you can get what’s the point of it, but to be sure, the holiday commemorates the proclamation of the Turkish republic on 29 October 1923. Everything started with the defeat of Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. It was followed by the occupation of the Turkish territory as part of the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire. An uprising of Turkish nationalists led to the Turkish war of independence (1919 -1923). The allies left Turkish regions in July 1923. The Turkish parliament proclaimed the new Turkish state as a republic. A new constitution, which the parliament adopted on October 29, 1923, replaced the constitution of the Ottoman Empire. And Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader of the Turkish troops was named the first president on 29 October 1923, in the new capital, Ankara.

So, what can you see in this day in villages, towns, cities or in the capital city? Flags, everywhere are Turkish flags, this day you may see in the show-windows of shops many goods with the Picture of Mr. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In Ankara, few main roads were closed due to the parades, which took place in the city center and of course, the politicians with the head of Turkey visited Atatürk’s mausoleum (Anatkabır) in Ankara.

The same day was the opening of the new airport in Istanbul, the largest one in Europe. Everyone was full of expectation as the name of the airport was shrouded in mystery and should be revealed during the opening ceremony. All channels in television were showing the preparation of the opening ceremony and the events, speeches of politicians, historians due to the big day of Turkey. In Turkey there was a pugnacious debate regarding what should be the name of the new airport of Istanbul. It's ambitious, award-winning and already hit with controversies. Istanbul's new airport was officially inaugurated as you know on 29 October- although it won't be fully functioning til the end of the year. So what is the name of this so commercialized, the biggest airport in Europe? It was revealed the airport's name as being simply "Istanbul Airport."

The second big day is a sad day for Turkish history, 10th November, death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. If you are a visitor in Turkey during this day and you are wandering around on the streets at 09:05 you will see something, what you will see only in this day and this time in Turkey. Don’t be surprised of the sirensand sudden stopping all people arround you. The empty sights of all these people. Workers stop to work, pedestrians stop to walk, drivers are stopping and getting out of the cars to stand in silence and give an honor to the founder of the country, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who passed away on the date and time in 1938.

So that's it for today, I hope you enjoyed and learnt new information. Volunteering is not only about adventures, traveling or playing, teaching kids. It is about learning and improving yourself.