Republic Day messages from Turkey's intellectuals and 12punto writers: The Republic forever!

The Republic of Turkey is 101 years old! In honor of the proclamation of the Republic by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), Republic Day has been celebrated every year with great enthusiasm through various events held at our representative offices across the country.

The writers underlined the concepts of modernity, national sovereignty, and independence, stating that the Republic is the most important guide on the path to Turkey's bright future.

Here are our writers' October 29 Republic Day messages:

BAHADIR SELİM DİLEK

And what about the Turkish Youth, to whom Mustafa Kemal Atatürk addressed by saying, “O child of the Turkish future! Even in these circumstances and conditions, your duty is to save the Turkish independence and republic. The strength you need is present in the noble blood in your veins”...

Let us not resort to empty rhetoric.

Unfortunately, it is the greatest disappointment!

While the country is slipping away, those who can lift their heads from Instagram and TikTok are fleeing abroad. Those who cannot seem to be living in a parallel universe. The voices of those who carry this anxiety remain faint.

But still, one should not lose heart.

We are on the right side of history. At some point, reason will surely prevail. We know that we must learn from recent history and walk in the light of reason and science.

Without forgetting that we are followers of a leader who said, “There are no hopeless situations. There are hopeless people. I have never lost my hope”; I want to underline with a thick pen our belief that the Republic of Turkey will remain forever.

PROF. DR. DURAN BÜLBÜL

October 29 Republic Day is the name of the existence and resurrection of the Republic of Turkey. If we do not see it as a matter of honor and dignity to fight more than ever against the internal enemies who act as flag-bearers for global and imperial attacks, at a time 101 years later when all the bastions of the Republic are being attempted to be captured by counter-revolutionaries, then may the burden of this world be upon us, may our eyes be blinded and our feet crippled.

MUSTAFA MUTLU

We are celebrating our Republic entering its 101st year.

But in reality, we are only celebrating 15 percent of our republic!

We are celebrating those magnificent 15 years that passed between 1923 and 1938!

And the rest?

Dozens of years wasted in negligence, betrayal, and delusion...

Because this reality is embedded in our subconscious, we cannot be enthusiastic on Republic Day; we even worry about our future...

PROF. DR. NAZİFE GÜNGÖR

May our Republic, which our founding leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established on the understanding of independence, secularism, and democracy, live forever.

ELFİN TATAROĞLU

The Republic is equality, freedom, generations with free minds, free consciences, and free wisdom; it is scientific education, secularism, and equal opportunity.

The Republic is women's rights, the civil code, the right to vote and be elected, unity in education, and free will.

The Republic is national development, a social state, public rights, and civic consciousness.

The Republic is our nation's struggle for full independence, standing shoulder to shoulder against imperialism and colonialism.

Protecting our Republic is only possible by upholding these values and fighting to carry the revolution further.

On the 101st anniversary of our Republic, I commemorate our great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who “fit a century into a year” with the enlightenment revolution, with respect and longing. Happy Republic Day.

PROF. DR. FATMA NUR SERTER

“HAPPY 101ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SECULAR-DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, which is the sole guarantee of the indivisible integrity of the Homeland and the Nation, of living honorably and freely, of reaching the level of contemporary civilization, and of a fully independent Turkey.

The Turkish Nation is determined to uphold the Secular-Democratic Republic, which rose like a sun over the lands of Anatolia, and the principles and revolutions of its unique founder, Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK.

Long live the Republic, forever!”

MÜYESSER YILDIZ

Happy 101st anniversary of our greatest holiday, Republic Day, and greetings to our youth who walk on the path of our Atatürk with perseverance and determination despite all kinds of difficulties.

How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!..

MERİÇ KÖYATASI

It is our duty to make the principles and revolutions of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk dominant in this country once again. For this, we have two golden keys in our hands. One is “Freedom and independence are my character,” and the other is “The truest guide in life is science.” The fact that science takes precedence over dogmas is the best indicator that the Republic is a continuous democratic revolution independent of time and space.

PROF. DR RIDVAN AKIN

The Republic is a revolutionary breakthrough built upon the Turkish war of independence; it is a regime change.

For us Turks, the Republic primarily means national sovereignty and liberation from monarchy.

We have also understood better from the practices of the last 30 years that the Republic is simultaneously a secular and democratic state of law based on contemporary human rights.

The Republic is the path of contemporary civilization in 2024 Turkey.

PROF. DR GÖKHAN ARSLAN

A country on the edge of an abyss, years of war, consecutive revolutions, and the subsequent achievements.

ASSOC. PROF. DR. HAZAL PAPUÇÇULAR

I celebrate every holiday with a quote from Atatürk. “Despite everything, we are definitely walking towards a light. The strength that keeps this faith alive in me is not only my infinite love for my dear country and nation, but also because I see a youth trying to spread and seek light with pure love for the homeland and truth amidst the darkness, immorality, and charlatanism of today.” Happy holidays.

TUNCAY MOLLAVEİSOĞLU

On the 101st year of our Republic, we must be in a struggle to win back the Republic. A struggle in every field without fear, without giving up, and without falling into despair...

RUŞEN GÜLTEKİN

The Republic is Atatürk's greatest work. Happy Republic Day.

Dr. Şenol Çarık

Despite all kinds of betrayal at home and abroad, we are filled with the enthusiasm of celebrating our Republic Day...

Let no one have any doubt that; "THE REPUBLIC; will be protected just as it was founded!"

May the souls of those who sacrificed their existence to create it be blessed...

Happy Republic Day, our greatest holiday...

News Source: 12punto