Independence Day Celebrations in 1930s in İzmir

Politicial authorities, which were founded after people started living is a society, tried to strenghten the togetherness of the society by setting the dates that are important to themselves and for the society. During the First and Medieval Ages, these special days were generally religious or they were the products of the polytheistic beliefs or they were related to the beliefs of Christianity and Islam.?Nationalism? and ?National Identity? concepts which spread after the French Revolution also created a new denominator for the new communities. And it was called ?Nation?.In multional Ottoman Empire, although the ?National Identity? concept was not supported especially by the rullers, after the other factors collapsed, ?Being a Turk? and ? Turkish Identity? became important. Especially the foundation of the new Turkish Nation was a real victory of the nationalism.In the new Turkish Government, the ?Republic Day? ceremonies were the main occasions togather the society in a common denominator. These ceremonies have changed into a form in which the devotion to the Turkish Government and the formal ideology is announced and the happiness of living all together is symbolized. Since 1933, the ?Republic Day? ceremonies have been considered important firstly by the statesmen, press and all parts of the society and these daysa re being celebrated more brillant since then. In my work I wanted to introduce the ? Republic Day? ceremonies in İzmir in 1930s and set an example for today. In the introductory part; the historical development of festivals and National days and ceremonies before the proclamation of the republic are emphasized.In the first part; the proclamation of the republic and confirming this day as a national festival, and the first year ceremonies are explained.In the second part; the ?Republic Day? ceremonies in İzmir between 1930 and 1938-during Ataturk?s era-, the preparations ,ceremony programs , the speeches and their evaluations are explained.In the third part; the first ?Republic Day? ceremony in İzmir after Ataturk?s death and the preparations , ceremony programs, the speeches and their evaluations are explained.