This morning, life in Istanbul of 16 million people stopped for 2 minutes. against the background of the wail of the sirens, which went off at exactly 9:05 in the morning (8:05 Bulgarian time), thousands of people - adults, youth, men, women - froze in silence.
Vehicles, except for planes and trains, stopped, ships in the Bosphorus blew their whistles. Flags were at half-mast. Those in uniform gave honor, writes BTA.
Television cameras showed people of all ages in the streets with tears in their eyes and flags in their hands. Thus, for 2 minutes, Turkish citizens paid tribute to the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who closed his eyes on this day 86 years ago in the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul.
According to an unwritten tradition, for 86 years now, November 10 has been celebrated throughout the country with various initiatives as a national day of mourning for the Republic of Turkey, founded 101 years ago, which Atatürk called "my best creation" during his lifetime.
At the same time in the capital Ankara, a representative delegation led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan together with the country's military leadership bowed before the sarcophagus of Atatürk in the Anatkabir Tomb Mausoleum and laid a wreath.
„Dear Atatürk, once again we honor you with respect. We are working with all our might to strengthen the Republic of Turkey and develop it in stability. May your soul rest in peace," Erdogan wrote in the mausoleum's book, TRTHaber reported.
After the official ceremony, the mausoleum was opened to visitors who arrived from all over the country.
In the capital Ankara, the 86th anniversary of the death of Atatürk was marked with a ceremony organized by the "Atatürk" High Council for Culture, Language and History, at which Erdogan gave a speech.
In his speech, the head of state noted Atatürk's contribution to the development of the Turkish Republic and at the same time indicated that he will continue the fight with all his might to eradicate terrorism, Turkish media reported.
According to the newspaper "Millet" as a mark of respect to Atatürk's memory, the cabinet meeting scheduled to take place today will be held for the first time in Çankaya, which was the government residence during Atatürk's time.
At the central Taksim Square in Istanbul, where a monument to Atatürk and his associates was erected, the memory of the founder of the Turkish Republic was honored. The monument was covered with wreaths and flowers by representatives of political parties and local authorities.
Since early morning, Dolmabahçe Palace on the shores of the Bosphorus has been overflowing with visitors of all ages, many of whom, despite the rain, have been waiting for hours to enter.
In Dolmabahçe is the room where Atatürk's life ends. It is arranged as it was then. Even the clock has nailed its hands on 9:05 when Atatürk breathed his last. An audio-visual exhibition shows footage of the funeral ceremony 86 years ago. On November 19, 1938, after the religious ritual prayer at Dolmabahçe Palace, the hearse with an armored ship was transported by sea to Izmit, and from there by train to Ankara.
For the funeral ceremony of Atatürk, which is attended by leaders from all over the world, Bulgaria sends an honor company of 100 Bulgarian soldiers, and Tsar Boris the Third sends a letter of condolence.
Anatkabir in Ankara, where Atatürk's tomb is, was opened on September 1, 1953.
The digital TV platform "DSmart" happen on November 10 broadcasts the series of films such as "Don't forget me", "You are my homeland", among which is the documentary "The Sofia years of Mustafa Kemal 1913-1915".
Antalya State Opera and Ballet honors the memory of Atatürk with the premiere of his favorite opera "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini. Last year, the Sofia Opera toured for the first time with "Tosca" in Istanbul and Ankara.