The 29th of October marks the day that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk declared Turkey to be a Republic in 1923. The Grand National Assembly was established in 1920, thus making it a republic, but it was not officially recognized until 1923. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was selected as the first president of the Republic of Turkey when the Republic was declared. Every year following 1923, the people of Turkey celebrate the Cumhuriyet Bayramı (republic holiday). For several days leading up to the holiday, my school choir practiced songs about the republic, Atatürk, and the Turkish people. On Monday the 28th, we had a small, three-song concert for the other students at the school.
On the 29th I went to the Belgrad Forest in Northwestern Istanbul with my mother, father, sister, and brother. Belgrad is a 5,500 hectare forest, with a 6 kilometer circular path for running and walking. We walked around the loop once, and then went to a family friend's house for brunch in Zekeriyaköy, Istanbul. We ate a traditional kahvaltı (breakfast) of bread, cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, honey, jams, and çay (tea). We sat on their balcony porch, while we ate, which has a beautiful green view.
At 18:00, I wen to Bağdat Caddesi (Bağdat Street) with my host sister and her friends. Bağdat Caddesi is a 14km long street that runs from Bostancı to Kızıltoprak and is the major shopping district on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. The street is lined with famous shops, designer clothes stores, pubs, restaurants, department stores, and cafes. On Republic Day the street is packed with thousands of people, forming an overwhelming sea of red and white. Turkish flags hang from every surface--from balconies, on every shop window, outside restaurants, on lines tied across the street, and they wave in the hands of every Turk waiting to see the late-night parade. Music booms from a stage part-way down the street, and television screens show images of Atatürk, Turkey, and Turkish flags. Most of the crowd sings along to the music, thus making a deafening roar.
Republic Day--Bağdat Caddesi
Turkish flags hanging in the street before the crowds came.
Republic Day--Bağdat Caddesi
Some of the Turkish flags have Ataturk's portrait on them.
Republic Day--Bağdat Caddesi
The crowds beginning to form.
Republic Day--Bağdat Caddesi
Eating Manti with my host sister, Ayşe Naz, before the parade.
Republic Day--Bağdat Caddesi
The streets were lit up with fairy lights in Turkish colors.
Republic Day--Bağdat Caddesi
The friends I was at the parade with. Some live in our apartment complex, and others live nearby.
Republic Day--Bağdat Caddesi
Ayşe Naz and her friend Hande met two popular Turkish Vine creators.
Republic Day--Bağdat Caddesi
Flags hanging across the street.
Republic Day--Bağdat Caddesi
Thousands of people swarming through the street.
