2023-10-26 12:39:28
The Austrian Turkish CULTURAL Society, whose short name is TKG Think Tank, participated in the National Day celebrations of the Republic of Austria on October 26 at the highest level and made a press statement through the Austrian Press Agency APA.
Austrian National Day 2008 – Ballhausplatz and Heldenplatz
The Turkish translation of the German text titled “Happy 26th October National Day, Republic of Austria” is as follows:
Today, October 26, 2023, Austria celebrates its National Day, which can and should be proud of its liberal-democratic achievements. As the Austrian Turkish CULTURAL Community, we congratulate the National Day of the Republic of Austria with our sincerest wishes.
The secular Republic of Turkey was declared by Atatürk on October 29, 2023, after a painful First World War and a nearly four-year war of independence against the imperialist and fundamentalist powers of the period.
The sadness, fear and shock among Turkish citizens demanding a secular republic, the rule of law, human rights, freedom of the press, diversity, strict separation of powers, democracy and a liberal-democratic basic attitude in Turkey are especially great in recent times. This situation should not be a reason for anyone to be happy, on the contrary. A reactionary Turkey that is weak and undemocratic and without the rule of law and separation of powers would harm its neighbors, especially the EU and Austria. Nobody should be happy.
The current sad conflicts in Turkey, especially in the Middle East, and the government-sponsored demonstrations in Ankara on Saturday, October 28, 2023, using this as an excuse, celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, which was founded by Ataturk on October 29, 2023, and the greatness and it will not be actually celebrated in a way that its significance will be appreciated. However, the majority of Turkish citizens have been celebrating the 100th Republic everywhere and sincerely and ostentatiously for months. In Turkey and the world, even in Austria, Turkey’s 100th Anniversary will be celebrated on October 29, 2023, with feelings of gratitude to Atatürk and his friends.
I wish the Ankara government had included celebrations appropriate to the meaning and importance of this day at the highest level throughout Turkey. The exact opposite is done and this causes fear and anxiety. However, Turkey could have been a respected bridge builder who could set an example for the oppressed peoples of the world with the 100th anniversary celebrations of the secular Republic of Turkey, which it established with an epic war of independence against the imperialist powers after the First World War, and with Atatürk’s slogan “Peace at home, peace in the world”.
We, as democrats who know the value of democracy as Turkish immigrants in Austria, and as constitutional patriots and democrats with defense awareness, against reactionary, fundamentalist, illiberal and fascist forces in Austria, no matter what corner they come from, we always defend democracy and the Republic with its values. We are obliged to defend Austria as the apple of our eye. We see it as our first duty to protect the Republic of Austria and its democracy. We write all of this based on our bitter experiences and observations in Turkey.
Today, on 26.10.2023, we say: Happy National Day and in honor of the Republic of Austria.
Austrian Turkish CULTURAL Society
Source
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