Republic Day Conference Held at Karaman Closed Penal Institution

Research Assistant Aytunç Ülker, a member of the academic staff of our Department, delivered a conference to inmates at Karaman Closed Penal Institution on 27 October 2026 at 13:00, on the occasion of the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Türkiye.

In his conference, entitled “The Proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye and the Historical Development of Republic Day Celebrations,” Ülker examined the process leading to the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye and the historical evolution of Republic Day celebrations. Adopting a historical perspective, he discussed the developments that paved the way for the proclamation of the Republic and provided information on the political developments extending from the beginning of the National Struggle to the establishment of the Republic.

In the first part of the conference, Ülker addressed the meaning and historical development of the concept of a republic before examining the significance that the principle of national sovereignty acquired in Turkish political life. Evaluating the developments leading to the proclamation of the Republic within a chronological framework, he explained that the proclamation formally established the country's system of government and strengthened the position of national sovereignty as a fundamental principle of state administration.

Continuing his presentation, Research Assistant Aytunç Ülker discussed the fundamental principles of the Republic and highlighted the decisive role played by the concepts of independence and national sovereignty in the establishment of the new state. Emphasising that the Republic represented far more than a mere change in the system of government, he demonstrated how this process laid the foundations for transformations in Türkiye's political, legal, economic, and social structures. He also explored the relationship between republican governance and such concepts as the rule of law, institutional functioning, and public interest, drawing upon historical examples.

Another major topic of the conference was the historical development of Republic Day celebrations. Ülker provided information about the ceremonies held following the designation of 29 October as a national holiday in 1925. He noted that official ceremonies, torchlight processions, and concerts organised during the early years of the Republic contributed to increasing the visibility of the Republic in society and strengthening a shared sense of historical consciousness. Particular attention was given to the celebrations held in 1933, marking the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic. In this context, he examined the scope of the ceremonies organised throughout the country and the participation of different segments of society in these celebrations. Drawing upon contemporary accounts and personal memoirs, he emphasised that Republic Day was not merely an occasion for official ceremonies but also served an important function in fostering national unity, a shared sense of citizenship, and the transmission of republican values to future generations.

In the final part of his presentation, Ülker focused on the historical legacy and contemporary significance of the Republic, drawing attention to the importance of Republic Day as an occasion to commemorate the independence achieved in the past and reaffirm the principle of national sovereignty. Held as part of the celebrations marking the 103rd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, the conference contributed to informing participants about the establishment of the Republic, the historical evolution of Republic Day celebrations, and the place of the Republic in Turkish political history.

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