KARS, TURKEY – The 101st anniversary of the arrival of the Republic of Turkey's founder, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in Kars was celebrated on Monday with various events that also included a strong display of local sentiment against Israel’s ongoing attacks in Gaza.
The celebrations began at the Government House, where Kars Governor Ziya Polat, Commander of the 14th Mechanized Infantry Brigade Brigadier General Nail Türe, and Mayor Ötüken Senger laid wreaths at the Atatürk Monument. The ceremony proceeded with a moment of silence and the singing of the Turkish National Anthem.
The celebration activities continued at the Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate Conference Hall, where the traditional performance took a political turn
Aşıks Condemn Attacks:
During the ceremony, local Aşıks (traditional Turkish minstrel poets and folk singers) took to the stage. Using their instruments and lyrics, they publicly and eloquently condemned Israel's continuing attacks on Gaza, voicing the local community's strong disapproval of the violence.
Throughout the events, a central theme was the unwavering love and respect felt by the people of Kars for Atatürk, even as the region used the commemorative occasion to highlight a major current international issue.
