I Am Incomplete Without You: The Warm Story of Colorful Buttons Raining from the Sky on Our Great Leader’s Last Journey
Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, passed away in Dolmabahçe Palace on November 10, 1938, leaving millions of people in tears behind. At Atatürk’s funeral ceremony held on November 10, 1938, an event took place that was not clear at first but later became clear and touched everyone’s heart. The event, which has remained in memories to this day, is actually proof of how Atatürk has a place in everyone’s heart! In this article, you will find the story of the colorful buttons that rained from the sky at the funeral ceremony of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Tradition Reflecting Sorrow: Colorful Buttons
After the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, it was not decided for a while where the funeral ceremony would be held and soon after it was decided to carry the funeral from Istanbul to Ankara. After the funeral ceremony performed in the Dolmabahçe Palace ceremonial hall, 9 days after his death, on November 19, 1938, Atatürk would say goodbye to the city and then be transferred to Ankara.
When the funeral procession reached Karaköy, colorful buttons suddenly started falling on the coffin. Mustafa Kemal managed to become the Atatürk of not only to Turkish people but also people from many different races and cultures. These buttons raining down on Atatürk’s coffin wrapped in the Turkish flag were exactly an indication of this!
Symbol of Agony: Kriah – Rending the Garments
According to Jewish belief, mourners tear off a piece of their clothing as soon as the funeral begins or ends and bid farewell to their loved ones on their final journey. Jewish citizens, deeply saddened by the death of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, wanted to say goodbye to him with this mourning tradition called Kriah. The word Kriah, which means “tearing” in Hebrew, became a part of the event that deeply affected people on November 19, 1938.
The Essence of Buttons Cut from the Heart: Farewell Mourning
While Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s body passes through the tradesmen of Karaköy, Jewish citizens begin to throw the buttons that they tore off from their shirts and jackets onto the coffin, according to their mourning traditions.
Although most people did not understand the reason for this incident, the heartbreaking reason for this situation later emerged. This situation can be summarized as people with different cultures and traditions experiencing pain in their own ways.
This event is important as it shows that people’s cultural and traditional differences do not prevent them from uniting under the roof of this sad farewell. The meaning of the common agony that is felt is very clear: “I am incomplete without you.”
From the Eyes of Turkish Poet and Writer Sunay Akın: The Click! Click! Sounds of the Buttons
Turkish poet and writer Sunay Akın describes the button incident that took place after the death of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as the rain of colorful buttons from the sky. He mentions that while Atatürk’s coffin was being taken to Ankara, people with tears and pain were looking through the windows of buildings and shops as they passed through Karaköy.
Then, he says, colorful buttons suddenly started falling on the coffin as if they were raining from the sky. At that moment when everyone starts to look up, the Jewish people of the Republic of Turkey tear off buttons from their jackets and shirts and say to Atatürk, “We are incomplete without you!” according to their own traditions.
The Room Where Great Leader Atatürk Stayed: Pera Palace Hotel Museum Room No. 101
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk would visit Istanbul on different dates for various reasons. During these visits, he stayed in Pera Palace Hotel room 101. This room, where he hosted many guests, hosted the work that he carried out and the important decisions that he made during the most critical periods of our country.
Room 101, where Atatürk stayed on the 100th anniversary of his birth, was turned into a museum by Pera Palace Hotel. Atatürk’s belongings, books, gifts that were sent to him, newspapers and magazines of that time are exhibited in this museum room.
The statue of Atatürk, which was created as a result of years of effort by the sculptor Görkem Candan, is also located in this room. Atatürk Museum Room, which bears traces of the cherished memory of the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and allows you to travel to the past, is open to visitors any day of the week between 10.00-11.00 and 15.00-16.00!
These articles may also be of interest to you:
15 Quotes From Prominent Names About Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
National and International Press News on the Day of The Passing Of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
The Story of Room 101(Atatürk’s Room) of Pera Palace Hotel
