On the 10th of November, as 13 ESN sections from Istanbul and Ankara, we will visit Anıtkabir, Ankara in order to commemorate Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Mustafa Kemal, one of the most significant figures in the history of Turkey, was a revolutionary leader and a visionary. He was loved and respected extensively during his lifetime, and in 1935 when surnames were introduced to Turkey, he was given the last name Atatürk, meaning 'Father of Turks'. This was due to his immense contribution to the country, firstly as a commander during many wars including the War of Independence; and afterwards as a politician, when he found Turkey, modernized it, and became its first president from 1923 until his death in 1938. The grief by his death on November 10, 1938 reverberated across the country; and to this day, every year at exactly 9.05 in the morning, the whole country mourns his loss by standing for a minute of silence.
His eternal resting place is called Anıtkabir, meaning the memorial tomb. Across his mausoleum in the Ceremonial Ground, rests İsmet İnönü's, the first Prime Minister of Turkey, who also fought side by side with Atatürk in battle. The memorial is comprised of four main parts: the Road of Lions, the Ceremonial Plaza, the Hall of Honour where the mausoleums are, and the Peace Park that surrounds the monument. Within the Anıtkabir site there are some towers and statues, as well as the Atatürk Museum where you can see his wardrobe, some of the gifts presented to him, and his personal belongings including his photographs. There is also his personal library, containing books, numbers of which exceed 3000.
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