Making a Life in Ankara: A Republic Day Special

Making a life in Ankara means becoming part of a city's story over time. A square we cross each day, a street where we walk with children, or a museum we visit for the first time can strengthen our connection with our surroundings. On the Republic's 103rd anniversary, we can see Ankara as a city whose past we preserve and whose shared future we build together.

The meaning of being the capital

Ankara became the capital on 13 October 1923; the Republic was proclaimed on 29 October 1923. These are distinct historical milestones. Remembering the difference helps us understand the city's founding period.

Learning what a building was once used for, listening to older relatives' memories, or comparing an old photograph with today's streets brings urban history closer to everyday life. Getting to know Ankara can become a habit of understanding our own surroundings.

Encountering history in Ulus

The War of Independence Museum, described by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Culture Portal, occupies the First Grand National Assembly building. Parliament opened there in Ulus on 23 April 1920. The decisions making Ankara the capital and proclaiming the Republic were also taken under its roof.

Exploring this place with children can connect dates in textbooks with a tangible location. Discussing what a document tells us or reflecting on the conditions of the period can make a visit meaningful. Check current visiting arrangements with the institution before planning a trip.

A city that learns together

We can also consider the Republic's place in urban life through spaces for learning and meeting. A child discovering books in a library, a neighbour attending a cultural event, or a young person researching local history adds a personal experience to the city's shared memory.

A report published by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality on 28 October 2026 provides a current example. Primary school pupils attended Republic Day activities at the 100th Year Youth Library, including performances, a Republic-themed film, colouring and reading. This gathering illustrates how the holiday can also be celebrated in children's everyday learning spaces.

Caring for our surroundings

A sense of belonging grows through small actions. Keeping shared spaces clean, protecting historic buildings, leaving pavements accessible and respecting neighbours' different needs make living together easier. These habits renew urban culture every day.

Helping someone new to the neighbourhood find their way, or listening to an older neighbour's memories, can be part of this connection. Caring for Ankara begins with being open to its past and attentive to its present. A city that makes room for everyone's experience grows stronger through everyday relationships.

Looking ahead together

This holiday offers an opportunity for a small family project about urban memory. Choose an old photograph of Ankara, research the place as it looks today and record a relative's memories of the area. Children might draw their neighbourhood or describe a favourite public space. Such activities can start conversations between generations and help them notice their surroundings.

On the Republic's 103rd anniversary, we remember Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the heroes of the National Struggle and everyone who contributed to the Republic with respect and gratitude. We can keep this heritage alive by learning Ankara's history, protecting shared spaces and caring for one another. Happy Republic Day.

Official sources https://ata.msb.gov.tr/Sayfa/SayfaGoster/ataturk-kronolojisi https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/portal/kurtulussavasimuzesi https://www.ankara.bel.tr/haberler/100-yil-genclik-kutuphanesi-nde-cumhuriyet-bulusmasi-18536

Cover: AI-generated illustrative depiction of Ankara; not an archival document or a photograph of an actual location.