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Republic Day 2024 in Turkey

Many people in Turkey celebrate Republic Day on October 29 by attending performances and participating in traditional processions with flags and musical bands. The Turkish Republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk proclaimed Republic Day as Turkey’s most important holiday.

Is Republic Day a Public Holiday?

Republic Day is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

The Republic monument at Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey commemorates the formation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

The Republic monument at Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey commemorates the formation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

©iStockphoto.com/yunlutas

What Do people Do?

Many people go to local stadiums on October 29 to watch performances dedicated to Republic Day in Turkey. Such performances usually consist of theater sketches, poetry readings and traditional Turkish dances. Many school children participate in school performances for parents and teachers. Parades may take place in some cities and politicians may give public speeches on this day. Many people also lay wreaths to Atatürk’s monuments or visit Atatürk’s mausoleum in the country’s capital, Ankara.

In the evening of October 29, many cities have traditional processions with flags and musical bands to commemorate Republic Day in Turkey. The processions usually end with fireworks, which begin after dark.

Public Life

Republic Day is an official national holiday in Turkey. Public administration buildings, schools, post offices and many small businesses are usually closed on this day. Public transport schedules may vary. Public transport routes may change in the event of street performances and processions. The afternoon of the previous day, October 28, is also an official holiday.

Background

Republic Day marks the creation of the Turkish Republic in 1923. After Turkey’s victory in the War of Independence (1919-1923), the Turkish parliament proclaimed the new Turkish state as a republic. A new constitution, which the parliament adopted on October 29, 1923, replaced the constitution of the Ottoman Empire. The leader in the Turkish War of Independence, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, became the country’s first president on the same day. According to Atatürk, Republic Day is Turkey’s most important holiday.

Symbols

The common symbols of Republic Day in Turkey are:

  • The Turkish flag.
  • Pictures of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

These symbols can be seen on Republic Day in Turkey.

Republic Day Observances

YearWeekdayDateNameHoliday Type
2019TueOct 29Republic DayNational holiday
2020ThuOct 29Republic DayNational holiday
2021FriOct 29Republic DayNational holiday
2022SatOct 29Republic DayNational holiday
2023SunOct 29Republic DayNational holiday
2024TueOct 29Republic DayNational holiday
2025WedOct 29Republic DayNational holiday
2026ThuOct 29Republic DayNational holiday
2027FriOct 29Republic DayNational holiday
2028SunOct 29Republic DayNational holiday
2029MonOct 29Republic DayNational holiday

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.