Centenary Season Celebrations

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Lore & Background

The emotional core of the official celebrations was the establishment of a corporate identity for the 100th-anniversary celebrations. The logo created for the 100th year of the National Struggle in May 2019, featuring the number 100, the infinity sign, and the crescent-star, was adapted for the centennial celebrations of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. A key activity was the Organization of the 100th Year Anthem Composition and Poetry Competition, with 400 entries. The anthem, composed and written by Ilker Kömürcü, was selected as the winner. It was first performed on 30 August 2023, during a special concert for Victory Day, featuring the Presidential Symphony Orchestra and other orchestras affiliated with the Ministry of National Defense. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during his visit to Anıtkabir, wrote the following words in the memorial book: "Throughout our 21 years in power, we have endeavored to protect your trust with utmost dedication".

In Their Own Story

The air over the Bosporus was thick with anticipation on 29 October 2023. As the clock approached 19:23 (UTC+3), President Erdoğan released the centennial message, followed by a fireworks and drone show in the Bosporus. Earlier, for the first time in the history of the Turkish navy, 100 military ships belonging to the Turkish Naval Forces, including TCG Anadolu, passed through the Bosporus. In the skies, SoloTürk and the Turkish Stars performed acrobatic displays in Ankara and Istanbul during the 29 October celebrations, with main venues at Anıtkabir and the Bosporus. The day was the culmination of a year of events, including the establishment of a corporate identity and the performance of the winning centennial anthem.

Reader's Guide

The journey began with the decision published in the Official Gazette on 24 October 2020, entrusting coordination to the Directorate of Communications. Key activities included the establishment of a corporate identity for the 100th-anniversary celebrations, adapting the logo from the 100th year of the National Struggle. The Organization of the 100th Year Anthem Composition and Poetry Competition received 400 entries, with Ilker Kömürcü's anthem winning. It was first performed on 30 August 2023 during a Victory Day concert. Republic Day on 29 October 2023 featured President Erdoğan's visit to Anıtkabir, acrobatic displays by SoloTürk and Turkish Stars, a historic passage of 100 military ships through the Bosporus, and a fireworks and drone show at 19:23 (UTC+3).

Did You Know?

• Over 24,000 projects related to the centennial were implemented with the contributions of 56 institutions.
• The winning centennial anthem, composed and written by Ilker Kömürcü, was first performed on 30 August 2023 during a Victory Day concert featuring the Presidential Symphony Orchestra.
• For the first time in the history of the Turkish navy, 100 military ships, including TCG Anadolu, passed through the Bosporus on 29 October 2023.
• The logo for the centennial was adapted from a logo created in May 2019 for the 100th year of the National Struggle, featuring the number 100, the infinity sign, and the crescent-star.
• President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wrote in the Anıtkabir memorial book: 'Throughout our 21 years in power, we have endeavored to protect your trust with utmost dedication.'