A solemn evening dedicated to the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey was held at our university.
Turkey is a brotherly country of special importance to Kazakhstan, with a rich history and great heritage. On October 29, 1923, Mustafa Kemal Atatuk proclaimed Turkey a republic. More than a century has passed since then, and the Turkish nation has built a strong and respected state that draws the attention of the entire world.
The celebration began with a moment of silence in memory of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, his comrades-in-arms, and the martyrs who gave their lives for the independence of Kazakhstan. This was followed by the performance of the national anthems of Kazakhstan and Turkey.
The Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Turkistan, Mr. Levent Gurcan, opened the event with a welcoming speech:
“I congratulate all our compatriots on the Republic Day of Turkey! Today we are joyfully celebrating this significant occasion together with our friends in the spiritual capital of the Turkic world — Turkistan, at Khoja Akhmed Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University. I thank everyone for sharing this celebration!”
Then, Representative of the Rector, Professor Naci Genc, delivered a welcoming speech:
“Dear guests and students! On the 102nd anniversary of our Republic, it brings us great joy to gather here, on our homeland — in Turkistan! I congratulate the entire Turkic world on this remarkable day. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades who sacrificed their lives for independence. We honor the memory of our heroes. May our Republic flourish forever!”
Vice-Rector for Socio-Cultural Development, Mr. Edil Tolegenov, also gave a congratulatory speech:
“I congratulate everyone on the Republic Day of Turkey, celebrated on October 29! On October 25, we marked the Republic Day of Kazakhstan. These dates symbolize the closeness and brotherhood of our nations — such a coincidence is truly historic. Since the 6th century, from the time of the Turkic Khaganate, our histories have been intertwined. Our nations have gone through many stages, and today we are grateful for independence and peaceful skies. The word ‘Republic’ is sacred to every citizen, as the state is our foundation. I wish eternal independence to both our countries!”
After the speeches, Senior Lecturer Eren Akdeniz delivered an informative presentation highlighting the key historical milestones on Turkey’s path to independence and the heroic deeds of its people.
The official part continued with a concert program. Talented students performed traditional Turkish dances, and the folk-ethnic ensemble of national instruments “Atameken” delighted the audience with beautiful melodies. Patriotic songs were also performed by students.
The evening concluded with greetings from young people representing Turkic countries, showcasing a shining example of friendship and unity.
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