"ATATÜRK - The Turkish Transmission from Theocratic Monarchy to Secular Republic
Prof Dr Seçil Karal Akgün
Ankara, the capital of Turkey is one of the oldest settlements of central Anatolia. It is situated on a plateau and surounded by hills where stands a big VIIth century fortress erected to guard the town against enemy attacks. More noticable than the fortress for a newcomer to town is Anıtkabir, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk the founder of Modern Turkey is burried. Anıtkabir is not looked upon as a tomb, but it serves to remind the Turks and foreigners visiting Ankara of the Turks’ patriotic defence against imperialism when the Turkish homeland was occupied by big powers of Europe at the end of the First World War. Every day of the year this impressive monument is visited by individuals and groups from all over Turkey as well as from distant lands. Schoolchildren are brought to Anıtkabir to be reminded of the strugle and sacrifices of their grandparents to provide the modern, advanced life they are enjoying. The older visit this monument to express gratitude for the honorable independence the secular Turkish republic provided. Women flood it with the awareness that it was Atatürk who encouraged them to an equal participation in a previously man-domineered society. Foreign administerers and statemen of all levels, military and civilian delegations, representatives of different religions, ambassadors, tourists visit Anıtkabir to pay tribute for the eternal peace Atatürk aimed to install in this once turbulent region which since ancient times, has been a home to various civilizations and witnessed their dissapearance under beligerent attacks. Atatürk, each day of every year is commemorated at Anıtkabir by millions with different emotions."
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