Great interest in the Republic Day in Alanya

The 101st anniversary of the Republic Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Alanya. The program, which started with a torch carried by young athletes from the Red Tower to the Atatürk Monument, continued with the Lantern Parade. The holiday excitement peaked with concerts by the Contemporary Sounds Turkish Music Group and Oğuzhan Koç.

In Alanya, the 29th of October Republic Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The program organized by the Alanya Municipality and the Alanya City Council was attended by District Governor Fatih Ürkmezer, Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik, City Council President Nurhan Özcan, Deputy Mayors, Council Members, district heads of political parties, representatives of chambers, associations, and NGOs, along with tens of thousands of citizens.

The youth carried the Republic torch
The program began with a torch-carrying ceremony by Alanya’s young athletes. The young people who took the torch from the Atatürk Monument in front of the Red Tower passed it hand to hand to the Atatürk Monument in Government Square. Here, the torch was handed over to Governor Ürkmezer and Mayor Özçelik. The program started with the lighting of the Republic fire.

Great interest in the Lantern parade
The holiday excitement spilled into the streets of Alanya with the Lantern Parade. A large crowd decorated the streets entirely with flags and marched along with Turkish flags and anthems. Citizens joined the parade from the sidewalks with applause and torches. The parade, which was met with a wave of love for Mayor Özçelik, ended at the concert area behind the Alanya Municipality building via Atatürk Street and İskele Street. The Alanya Municipality decorated the city with giant Turkish flags for the 101st anniversary of the Republic.

Mayor Özçelik: “We continue our efforts for the happiness and prosperity of our people”
Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik addressed the crowd filling the festival area. Starting his speech with “Greetings to the blue-eyed giant,” Mayor Özçelik stated, “Today, we proudly celebrate the 101st anniversary of our Republic, which is the greatest step our nation has taken towards independence and freedom. This important day is not only the foundation of our past but also of our future. The Republic, established by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his heroic comrades with great sacrifices, has opened the doors for us to become an independent and modern society. As local administrators, our greatest responsibility is to leave a stronger, more peaceful country for future generations. With this awareness of responsibility, we continue our efforts for the happiness and prosperity of our people. On this meaningful day, I respectfully remember all our heroes who contributed to our Republic, especially Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades, and I extend my heartfelt wishes for the Republic Day of our esteemed nation.”

Magnificent concerts were held for the Republic Day
The holiday celebrations continued with magnificent concerts. The first to take the stage was the Contemporary Sounds Turkish Music Group. The choir, which sang many songs special to the Republic for the crowd filling the area, received applause for a long time. Mayor Özçelik presented a flower and a filigree art Turkish flag made by individuals from the Alanya Disability Park and Life Center to choir conductor Şehriban Kasapoğlu. Afterwards, one of Turkey’s most loved and listened artists, Oğuzhan Koç, took the stage. Oğuzhan Koç performed a series of beautiful songs for the people of Alanya, creating an unforgettable concert with both emotional and lively songs.

Good news for the youth from Mayor Özçelik
Mayor Özçelik also presented a flower and a miniature art piece made by artist Merve Karlı to Oğuzhan Koç. The famous artist, who greatly appreciated the gift, said he would hang the painting on the wall of his home. Oğuzhan Koç also mentioned that a student from Alanya sent him a message on social media, asking him not to go on stage late due to the early closing of the dormitories. Mayor Özçelik stated that they had made the necessary arrangements and announced that the last entry time for the dormitories was extended to midnight for this occasion. The concert continued with great enthusiasm and excitement until late into the night.