Turkish Republic Day

The anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic celebrated all across the country with various activities today. Ankara, as the nation's capital, will host official government ceremonies, while Istanbul will feature more glamorous activities with strong visual themes. Republic Day celebrations include two receptions hosted by President Abdullah Gül at the Çankaya Palace today. A midday reception, closed to the press, will bring state protocol and politicians together. The noon reception invitations are only to recipients, meaning the wives of statesmen who wear headscarves will not meet the military top brass. The evening reception has a longer list of guests, which includes representatives of nongovernmental organizations, businessmen, artists, sports personalities and journalists, to be held at 7.

30 p.m. Nobel Prize winning author Orhan Pamuk and director Nuri Bilge Ceylan are among the invitees.

  Meanwhile, in Istanbul, the night sky will be lit up with fireworks, while the Bosporus Bridge and the Maiden Tower will be decorated with colorful lights and laser shows have been prepared.  The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality will offer free bus rides after 7.30 p.m. to festivity spots. Boats will be available from Eminönü and Sirkeci for people who would prefer to observe the displays from the sea. There will be concerts by popular musicians and DJs at Taksim and by the coast in Bakırköy and Caddebostan.

  İzmir will also host concerts and a torchlight procession, and �Ataturk's waltz of the republic� will be staged by the modern dance society of Dokuz Eylul University.

Festivals are also being held in the Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The day will begin with a ceremony at Atatürk's mausoleum at 8:45 a.m. in Ankara. Top officials and members of parliament will attend. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer will lay a wreath at Atatürk's tomb, while the national anthem is sung.

Civil and military personnel outside will march in front of Atatürk's tomb. President Sezer will then go to Parliament, where he will receive the congratulations of top officials. The ceremony in Parliament will begin at 9:30 a.m. before he and officials go to the Atatürk Culture Center parade ground to observe marchers.

A ceremony was held at The Land Forces Academy on Friday with a 21-gun salute. Turkish Armed Services (TSK) personnel placed wreaths at many locations around the country.

State buildings are flying Turkish flags and Atatürk portraits. Various concerts will be held today around the nation as part of the celebrations, and many roads will be closed for parades...