The celebrations for October 29 have begun in Şehitkamil.

The Şehitkamil Municipality began the events for the 29th of October Republic Day with swimming competitions. Mayor Umut Yılmaz stated that they will celebrate the 101st anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic with enthusiastic events, saying, “The Republic is the enemy of ignorance and is about bright tomorrows. As long as we have our youth, we will never compromise on the Republic.”

The 101st anniversary of the 29th of October Republic Day will be celebrated with enthusiastic events organized by the Şehitkamil Municipality. The festive excitement started with the 13th Traditional Republic Cup Swimming Competitions, which lasted for two days over the weekend. The opening ceremony of the competitions was attended by Şehitkamil Mayor Umut Yılmaz, CHP Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç, CHP Şehitkamil District Chairman Hurşit Yıldırım, and council members. Hundreds of athletes fiercely competed in the opening ceremony held at the Alleben 1 Swimming Pool. Families did not leave the young athletes alone.

Atatürk’s Voices in Alleben

The excitement of the Republic Day was experienced to the fullest at the Alleben 1 Swimming Pool, which produces champions on the international stage. As families supported their children with Turkish flags in hand, they frequently chanted slogans for the founder of our Republic, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

“Our View of Sports is Atatürk’s View”

In his opening speech at the ceremony, Şehitkamil Mayor Umut Yılmaz experienced emotional moments amid the large crowd. Starting his speech by recalling Atatürk’s words, “I love the clever, agile, and moral athlete,” Mayor Yılmaz stated that the Şehitkamil Municipality’s perspective on sports aligns with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s perspective.

“We Stand by Our Athletes”

Yılmaz expressed that they will continue to support sports and athletes, saying, “To my brothers who are aware of their physical and moral strength, who can think that they will represent themselves and our nation on international platforms but hesitate because it seems too costly, know very well that we, as Şehitkamil Municipality, are by your side.”

“The Republic is Our Bright Future”

Touching on the importance of the Republic, Yılmaz said, “Right now, we are at the Republic Cup competition. Those poor souls who are unaware of the Republic in this period should know well that the Republic is the enemy of ignorance and is about bright tomorrows. Every Turkish youth is the guardian of this Republic. And let it be well known that; as long as you exist, we will not compromise even the slightest bit on this Republic. Because we are Turkish youth who have sworn to follow in the footsteps of Mustafa Kemal. May your Republic Day be blessed and your tomorrows be full of hope.”

CHP Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç also began his speech by conveying the regards of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. Expressing his great happiness at the interest shown by the youth in the Republic Cup swimming competitions, Meriç said, “I bow respectfully before all of you.”