MUSTAFA KEMAL ATATÜRK'S SPEECH ON THE OCCASION OF THE TENTH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPUBLIC
Turkish Nation
It is now fifteen years since the War of Liberation commenced. Today is
the day of celebration of the tenth anniversary of our Republic.
Congratulations.
At this moment as a member of the great Turkish Nation I am very happy
and excited that I have lived to see this great day.
My fellow countrymen
We have accomplished great things in a short period of time. The greatest
of these is the Turkish Republic which is based on Turkish heroism and on
our great Turkish culture. We owe this success to the determined forward
march of the Turkish nation together with her worthy army. We never
think that what we have done is enough. We are determined and obliged to
accomplish more and greater things. We are going to advance our country
to the level of the most prosperous and the most civilized countries of
the world. We shall make it possible for our nation to acquire the
necessary resources and means for her to live in nation-wide prosperity.
We shal l attempt to raise our national culture above the level of
contemporary civilization. Therefore we think and shall continue to
think not according to the lethargic mentality of past centuries but
according to the concepts of speed and action of our century. We shall
work harder than in the past. We shall accomplish greater things in a
shorter time. We have no doubt that we shall succeed in them as well;
because the character of the Turkish nation is worthy and noble the
Turkish nation is industrious and the Turkish nation is intelligent.
Because the Turkish nation has been successf ul in overcoming hardships
through national unity and togetherness. And because the torch the Turkish
nation holds in her hand and in her mind while marching on the road of
progress and civilization is positive science.
I would like to point out with special emphasis that one of the historical
characteristics of the Turkish nation which is a society composed of
worthy people is to appreciate the fine arts and to advance in them as
well. Therefore it is our national id eal to support and to develop the
worthy and noble character of the Turkish nation her industrious quality
her intelligence her dedication to science her love of fine arts and
her feeling of national unity always and with every available means and m
easure. This aim which is one very suited to the Turkish nation will
make her successful in fulfiling her obligation to cultivate real peace in
the entire world.
Great Turkish Nation
During the last fifteen years I have made many promises to you to be
successful in our undertakings. I am pleased that I have not failed my
nation in any of them and given you cause to doubt me. Today I speak
with the same faith and assurance that within a short period of time the
whole civilized world will once again recognize that the Turkish nation
moving unified toward the national ideal is a great nation. I do not
doubt that the long bu ried characteristics and abilities of the Turks
will as they progress shine like a new sun on the horizon of the great
civilization of the future.
Turkish Nation
In every decade which passes into eternity I wholeheartedly wish that you
celebrate this great national holiday with ever greater honours
happiness peace and tranquillity. Happy is he who says "I am a Turk".
Ankara 29th October 1933
C.tesi Mayıs 16, 2009 12:54 am