Why Atatürk’s Photos are Everywhere in Türkiye?

Imagine a person with a photograph on the walls of thousands of homes and workplaces. When you come to Türkiye, in restaurants, markets and even if you go to your friend's house, you can see a portrait of that person. This person is Atatürk... The founder of the Republic of Türkiye, who was born in 1881 and died on November 10, 1938...

Atatürk, who is remembered with respect in Türkiye despite 84 years after his death, is an Ottoman officer who personally served at the front in many wars. While the Ottomans, who lost the First World War, surrendered, he started the Turkish War of Independence in 1919. In 1920, the parliament was opened in Ankara and in 1923 the Republic was proclaimed.

In the post-war period, many social, legal and economic reforms were made, most of which were revolutionary. Innovations such as giving women the right to vote and be elected, the use of the Latin alphabet, and the acceptance of Western type weights and length measures were implemented by Atatürk himself. Railway, factory, school and similar development works throughout the country continued despite the well-known post-war economy. Atatürk, one of the most stylish leaders of his period, became a role model in the modernization of the country with the importance he gave to social life, art and science.

The interest and love for him in Türkiye showed itself abroad as well. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the Greek leader Venizelos, whom he faced in the war. Believing that wars and enmity are temporary, Atatürk tried to establish good relations with every country without compromising the independence of the country. 

Atatürk monuments can be seen in countries such as Australia, Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, Chile, Romania, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, North Macedonia, Japan and Israel. In Tunisia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Uzbekistan, Belgium and Dominica, his name is found on boulevards, squares or streets.

And every year, on November 10, at 9:05 a.m., sirens are sounded and flags are lowered at half-mast across the country. Everyone stands for a minute of silence...

With great respect and gratitude...