The two faces of politics

The centenary of the Republic of Turkey... There is a cliché journalistic phrase we hear on every national holiday. “Celebrated with enthusiasm throughout the country, in the TRNC, and at foreign missions” as they say...

So, is this very special birthday of the Republic of Turkey, which has surpassed a century, truly being celebrated with enthusiasm? While debates over the celebrations were taking place in Turkey, there was feverish work going on at foreign missions.

Let us look at what happened in London in the shadow of these debates.

The celebrations, King Charles's message, the President's message emphasizing 'Atatürk', and the surprise guest Bilal Erdoğan...

TICKET-SELLING EVENTS

Turks living abroad know well; embassies, associations, and even businesses organize special events on such national holidays. The situation in London is no different. Dozens of events were organized. But the sad part is that these events stood out more as events aimed at selling tickets.

With so many Turkish investors, companies, and businesspeople around, even the Atatürkist Thought Association could not find a sponsor to fund the night and had to sell tickets for the Republic celebrations!

EMPHASIS ON "ATATÜRK"! APPLAUDED FOR MINUTES

Let us come to our main topic; the enthusiastic celebration at foreign missions that we mentioned at the beginning of the article took place in London this year.

The reception hosted by the Republic of Turkey's Ambassador to London, Osman Koray Ertaş, was celebrated with an event befitting the centenary.

Located in the heart of London and built in 1440 according to official sources, 'Guildhall is still one of London's most prestigious venues today...

The Republic reception was held in what is considered the building's most magnificent hall from a historical perspective,  ‘It was held in the Grand Hall. At the reception, which was attended by over eight hundred guests, Ambassador Ertaş's "As we celebrate our centenary, we commemorate with mercy and gratitude the great leader Atatürk, who left his mark not only on the world but on all of our hearts with his determination and vision" words were met with minutes of applause from the guests.

ERDOĞAN COMMEMORATED MUSTAFA KEMAL PASHA

A video message released by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for Republic Day was also shown at the reception.

The detail that drew attention here was that while President Erdoğan did not include Atatürk in the October 29 Republic Day message he posted on his social media account, in his message addressed to citizens living abroad, he said "was his use of the phrase 'Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha'.

In his message, Erdoğan had the guests in the hall applaud him with the words: 'Today, we are experiencing the excitement and pride of reaching the centennial of our Republic. At this turning point in our glorious history, we commemorate with mercy all the heroes who led the establishment of our new state, especially the founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha. I pray for God's mercy upon our dear martyrs and veterans who have watered these lands with their blood for a thousand years.'

The fact that Erdoğan did not mention Atatürk's name in his first message shared on his social media account in Turkey caused a great stir in the country.

However, immediately afterward, he spoke of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk multiple times during his speech at the Vahdettin Pavilion. Erdoğan is a politician who knows very well how to change the agenda...

Another surprise at the London Embassy's reception was the attendance of Bilal Erdoğan, who has been rumored to be in London for some time.

THE KING'S MESSAGE

King Charles III, his grandfather Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark had been forced to leave Greece following the defeat against Atatürk in the Battle of the Sakarya.

Despite this historical fact, the King in a letter addressed to President Erdoğan, "On this special day, which marks the centenary of your country's founding, I offer my sincerest congratulations to Your Excellency and the people of the Republic of Türkiye" stated.

WE OWE IT TO HIM...

If the King of England is writing a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Türkiye today, he owes the throne he sits on, albeit indirectly, to Atatürk! If his grandfather had not been defeated and forced to flee Greece, history would have unfolded differently, and today's Royal family would have continued from the lineage of others. Neither his mother Elizabeth nor he himself would have ascended to the throne...

If it were not for Atatürk, Erdoğan would not be able to hold the title of President of the Republic of Türkiye today. As a free world citizen, Erdoğan's son, Bilal Erdoğan, would not have been able to attend the Republic ball in London today. And I would not be able to write these lines in my own mother tongue today.

It is not enough to simply remember him with gratitude and mercy... It is our duty to walk the path he showed us... So that our children can experience the same freedom that we have lived...

We must never forget this...

To many more centuries, Republic...