Thousands of Citizens United as One

Bornova celebrated the 103rd anniversary of Republic Day on October 29 with tremendous enthusiasm, filling its squares and stadium. The celebrations began with a wreath-laying ceremony and culminated in spectacular performances at Bornova Stadium and the Honor March, which transformed the streets into a sea of Turkish flags.

Tribute to Atatürk at Republic Square

The first stop of the celebrations was Bornova Republic Square. Wreaths were laid at the Atatürk Monument by the Bornova District Governor’s Office, Bornova Municipality, and the Garrison Command, as well as by political parties and non-governmental organizations. A moment of silence was observed, followed by the national anthem.

During the official reception ceremony at the Bornova Government Building, Bornova District Governor Muzaffer Şahiner, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, and Artillery Colonel Zekeriya Tosun, Commander of the 57th Artillery Brigade, received congratulations from district officials and citizens.

Spectacular Celebrations and Parade at Bornova Stadium

Bornova Stadium, the main venue for the celebrations, witnessed one of the most memorable days in its history. The stands were packed with spectators who enthusiastically applauded folk dance performances by students, a traditional zeybek dance, and performances by young gymnasts. During the ceremony, trophies and medals were presented to schools and athletes who achieved top rankings in district-wide competitions, while a giant Turkish flag was unfurled to the accompaniment of patriotic marches.

The parade, accompanied by the rhythms of the Bornova Municipality Band, featured schools as well as the Bornova Branch of the Association for Atatürkist Thought (ADD), which added color to the procession.

District Governor Şahiner’s Message to Young People: “Repay Your Debt to the Republic Through Science, Art, and Sports”

Addressing the audience at the ceremony, Bornova District Governor Muzaffer Şahiner emphasized that the Republic represents the collective declaration of a nation with a state tradition spanning thousands of years—a nation that has never lived under subjugation. Highlighting the Republic as a system of equal opportunity, he noted that it enables a child born in a village to become a scientist, teacher, or administrator who can help shape the destiny of the country. Şahiner addressed young people with the following words:

“Atatürk entrusted you with the greatest responsibility when he said, ‘We founded the Republic; it is you who will preserve and elevate it.’ Your debt to the Republic is to study hard, never stray from the light of science, and compete with the world in sports, art, science, and technology. We must carry Atatürk’s ideal of raising our country above the level of contemporary civilizations in our hearts at all times.”

Streets Turn into a Sea of Flags: The Honor March

The official Republic Day celebrations in Bornova concluded with an Honor March that will remain in the memories of all who took part. Thousands of Bornova residents set off from Bornova Stadium, carrying Turkish flags and marching along Mustafa Kemal Avenue to patriotic songs. The procession, which ended at Republic Square, created a magnificent sea of flags throughout the streets of Bornova.