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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Turkey Series at TurkishClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Turkish holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 2 - Republic Day. In Turkish, it’s called Cumhuriyet Bayramı. |
| Republic Day is celebrated every year on October 29. Activities are held to highlight the importance of the day, while children often act in plays held in schools and read poems about its origin. Torchlight processions are held in the towns and streets, and apartments are decorated with flags. |
| In this lesson you will learn the importance of Republic Day for the Turkish public, and about the many activities that are part of the celebration. |
| Now, before we go into more detail, we’ve got a question for you- |
| Who is the Turkish pop singer who re-composed Onuncu Yıl Marşı, in English “Tenth Year March,” for the 75th anniversary of Republic Day? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| Upon the close of the First World War, the Turkish Grand National Assembly, or Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi, put an end to the Ottoman Empire that had ruled for 624 years. Declaring a republican administration on October 29, 1923 the people were finally given a democratic government. Torchlight processions were organized, triumphal arches installed in the festively lit streets, and concerts were held to celebrate the day. Today, people march with flags and torch lights, chanting songs in groups in the streets, which are closed to motor vehicles for the republic parade, or geçit töreni. |
| The first republic ball, or Cumhuriyet balosu, took place in 1925 in Izmir. Afterwards, this celebration became a tradition, with masses of people from many cities coming out to participate. Historically, these balls encouraged women's participation in social life under the same conditions as men. While in the past there were numerous events like dance rehearsals, and other preparations, leading up to the event, nowadays the event is limited to simply the ball dinner, and watching choir and dance performances. |
| Special activities celebrating this day are also quite common at schools. Classes and corridors are decorated with flags. Stage plays are put together to highlight the importance of the day, and poems and essays are read during the ceremony, or kutlama töreni. In some locations, thematic picture contests take place between schools within the same town. October 29 is an official holiday for schools, or resmi tatil, as it's for notaries, banks and neighborhood administrations. On October 28, schools and public offices are only open for part of the day. |
| When October 29 falls on a Tuesday or a Friday, Monday or Thursday are usually combined with the holiday. In these cases, people working in big cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara might go to holiday resorts to enjoy the long weekend. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| Who is the Turkish pop singer who re-composed Onuncu Yıl Marşı, in English “Tenth Year March”, for the 75th anniversary of Republic Day? |
| The original “Tenth Year March” was composed for the celebrations of the tenth anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic, but during the 75th anniversary of Republic Day in 1999, the well-known pop singer Kenan Doğulu performed “Tenth Year March” and published it as a single. |
| So listeners, how was this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| What are some activities performed collectively for national days in your country? |
| Leave us a comment letting us know at TurkishClass101.com. And we'll see you in the next lesson! |
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