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The 79th anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, was commemorated with official ceremonies held at the Taksim Monument and Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall (CRR) in Istanbul.

Istanbul Governor Mr. Vasip Şahin, Istanbul Mayor Mr. Mevlüt Uysal, 1st Army Commander General Musa Avsever, as well as public representatives, students and citizens attended the ceremony.

Wreaths were laid on the Atatürk Statue in Taksim in central Istanbul.

At 9.05 a.m., the moment at which Atatürk passed away in 1938 in Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, people across the country also stood in silence for two minutes, a traditional commemoration practice observed on the day. Sirens wailed throughout the city and people observed two minutes of silence, regardless of being in traffic on a busy highway in Istanbul or at a cafe or restaurant. The students also held a minute of silence for Atatürk at 9:05, with schools hosting ceremonies. Flags were flown at half-mast to commemorate the first president of the Republic of Turkey.

A ceremony was also held in Atatürk’s room at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace, where he spent his last days.