Cumhuriyet Bayramı Kutlu Olsun

"The Republic Day of Turkey (Turkish: Cumhuriyet Bayramı) commemorates the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 when Mustafa Kemal declared that Turkey was henceforth a republic and its official name was proclaimed to be Türkiye Cumhuriyeti ("the Republic of Turkey"). It lasts 35 hours, starting each year at 1:00 pm on 28 October.  A vote was then held in the Grand National Assembly, and Atatürk was elected as the first President of the Republic of Turkey."
 -  Wikipedia   


It is impossible to over estimate the importance of Ataturk in the life of Turkey as a nation and in the hearts of those that call themselves "Turk".  A very formal celebration in the theatre this morning concluded with some great music.  School closes at 13.00 and will not reopen until Tuesday 3rd November because the National Election is on Sunday so the government closed all schools and government offices on Monday.  Fingers crossed for the "right result" in this my second home country.  

Cumhuriyet Bayramı Kutlu Olsun = Happy Republic Day

A history of Turkey in 8 minutes here