POLITICS
80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC CELEBRATED IN TURKEY
Official festive actions started early in the morning in Ankara. President of the Turkish Republic Neget Sezer, Prime Minister Racep Tayyib Erdogan, Chairman of the Great National Assembly Bulent Arinc, General Staff Chief of Armed Forces, Army general Hilmi Ozkek, Ministers, deputies, leaders of political parties visited the mausoleum of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and kept silence in memory of their great leader.
Further, heads of the state and government of the Turkish republic arrived to the square in front of the Ankara Ataturk Center. A military parade, festive demonstration and sport program were held there on occasion of the 80th anniversary. Show flights of the squadron “Turkish Starts” was taken with great interest.
On occasion of the holiday, art and music entertainment functions were organized in different spots of Ankara. In the evening, an official reception was given by the head of the state Ahmer Nejet Sezer in the Presidential residence Cankaya.
Solemn actions were held in Istanbul as well. Official festive functions started in Taksim Square in front of Ataturk’s monument. Further, a demonstration marched along the Motherland Avenue. There was a special flag at Istanbul celebrations.
Municipality of Sisli district of Istanbul produced the longest flag in the world - 3500 meters of length and 4,5 meters of width. ON the day of the holiday, it was carried by hundreds of citizens.