Republic Ball for the 101st anniversary of the Republic in Beyoğlu

The 101st anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic was celebrated in Beyoğlu with a Republic Ball. The ball was held at the historic Pera Palace, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk frequently stayed, featuring waltz and zeybek performances that reminisced old Republic Day celebrations.

The 101st anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and the Republic Day on October 29 are being celebrated with grand events organized in Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, and Şişli. A Republic Ball was organized in Beyoğlu as part of the joint events carried out by Beşiktaş Municipality, Beyoğlu Municipality, and Şişli Municipality. At the ball held at the historic Pera Palace, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk often stayed, guests remembered the old Republic Day celebrations with waltz and zeybek performances. Violin virtuoso Cihat Aşkın and pianist Gülsin Onay also contributed to the night by providing a musical feast that left participants with unforgettable feelings of Republic enthusiasm. The ball was attended by representatives of political parties, mayors, and mission chiefs, as well as guests from the business and arts community.

Mayors visited Atatürk’s room number 101

Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney, and Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, who attended the Republic Ball with their spouses, visited the Atatürk Museum Room, known as room number 101, located in Pera Palace.

Due to their busy schedules, the Republican People’s Party Chairman Özgür Özel and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who could not attend the ball, sent messages to congratulate the guests attending the Republic Ball on Republic Day.

“The Republic is a collection of values that bind us together”

In his speech at the ball, Beyoğlu Mayor İnan Güney stated that the Republic is not just a form of government but a collection of values that connect us. He said, “I see the Republic as a young officer boarding the ship from Karaköy to Samsun, igniting the torch of liberation as Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The Republic is the equal opportunity that allows the child of a retired worker from Beyoğlu Municipality to become the Mayor of Beyoğlu. With the responsibility of safeguarding this glorious history, we are signing a principle here today. In the 101st year, together with my esteemed Beşiktaş and Şişli Mayors, we have organized the Republic Ball at Pera Palace. I believe that together we are much stronger and will achieve much more beautiful projects.”

“He made very important decisions in this geography, within the borders of our three districts”

Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat emphasized the importance of following Atatürk’s ideas, stating, “As long as we breathe, we will continue to carry his revolutions into the future. Atatürk made very important decisions in this geography, within the borders of our three districts; he developed the idea of the Republic here. The Republic is especially the Republic of farmers who tie their hopes to the wheat seeds in their fields and the drop of rain in the spring; it is the Republic of miners working a thousand meters underground with faces as black as coal. With these feelings, I commemorate with mercy and gratitude Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and all his comrades who contributed to the establishment of our country.”

“Protecting and strengthening the Republic is our greatest responsibility”

Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan stated, “It is our greatest responsibility to protect and strengthen the republic that Atatürk left us, based on the foundations of equality, justice, and freedom. It is our greatest duty to make this great revolution eternal, embracing every segment of society, including women, youth, the elderly, and children, and providing equal opportunities. A nation in despair has been illuminated by the light of the republic opened by Atatürk. For this reason, the republic is inclusive; the republic liberates. And most importantly, the republic belongs to those who have no one.”