Turkey marks 98th anniversary of Republic

* Photos: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Today, October 29 Republic Day, marks the 98th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey. The day is celebrated all across the country, especially in İstanbul and Ankara, with different events.

On this occasion, the top state officials paid a visit to the Monumental Tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and the first President of the Republic, in the capital city of Ankara in the early morning hours.

After President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrived at the Tomb, the ceremony started.

Parliamentary Speaker Mustafa Şentop, Vice President Fuat Oktay, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli, İYİ Party Chair Meral Akşener, ministers, high judicial authorities and representatives from the army were also among the ones who visited the Tomb.

Erdoğan laid a wreath on the mausoleum and signed the memorial book after the group kept a minute of silence.

After the ceremony, the Monumental Tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk has been opened for the visit of citizens.

Celebrations across Turkey

In central Anatolian province of Kayseri, October 29 Republic Day was celebrated at the Cumhuriyet (Republic) Square.

In Kütahya's Domaniç, people hiked in the Domaniç Mountains as part of the October 29 Republic Day celebrations.

In Sivas provicne, celebrations were held at the Cumhuriyet (Republic) Square despite the cold weather.

In Ardahan, celebrations were held in Kongre Avenue.

In Iğdır, seven mountaineers climbed the summit of 3,050-meter-high Mount Mezra and marked the Republic Day there.

In Denizli's Pamukkale, 29 hot air balloons flied for the Republic Day.

Balloons also flied in Cappadocia.

(HA/SD)