Journey to November 10th from Our Founding Father’s Room in Pera Palace
The Pera Palace Hotel, which has defied time with its 130-year history, has hosted many famous names including Agatha Christie, Queen Elizabeth II, Franz Joseph, Ernest Hemingway and Alfred Hitchcock. But undoubtedly the most important of these guests was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic. As the calendars showed the year 1917, the commander-in-chief, head teacher and great leader Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk also wrote his name on the guest list of Pera Palace. This event was the beginning of the days Atatürk would spend at Pera Palace.
The Museum Room of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: No. 101
Pera Palace Hotel is one of the places where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk frequently stopped by while running from front to front. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk hosted many local and foreign guests in this room between 1917-1926 and made important decisions that shaped the future of the Republic of Türkiye. Room No. 101, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed during every Pera Palace visit, was later restored and turned into a museum in 1981, as a gift to Atatürk on his 100th birthday and to commemorate him with gratitude.
Room No. 101, which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk frequently visited and now is waiting for its visitors as a museum, is decorated with Atatürk’s favorite colors. The room contains Mustafa Kemal’s personal belongings such as hats, glasses, pajama sets that were collected from different auctions and some gifts from his guests. In addition, many photographs, including the one with which he was on the cover of Times magazine, are exhibited in room No. 101. Today, important and valuable pieces belonging to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk continue to be collected from all over the world to be exhibited in this museum.
Room 101 opens its doors to those who would like to quench their longing with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk between 10:00 and 11:00 and 15:00 and 16:00. Entrance to the museum is by ticket and to prevent crowding, a maximum of 50 people are allowed in each session.
The 86th Anniversary of the Passing Away of Our Great Leader
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk demonstrated great leadership by leading the Turkish army in the War of Independence when the means were almost non-existent. His struggle for the Republic and the reforms he implemented became a ray of hope for the Turkish people, who were in despair.
In 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s existing health problems began to worsen. Despite the check-ups and treatment efforts of many doctors, Atatürk’s fatigued body had difficulty fighting the diseases. When the date showed November 10 and the clock showed 09.05, the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, lost his battle against the disease and passed away.
The Meaning and Importance of November 10th Atatürk Commemoration Day
The news of Atatürk’s passing spread quickly. After the news spread, the Turkish people were deeply and deeply saddened. The fact that Atatürk is still remembered today, on the 86th anniversary of his passing, shows the longing the Turkish nation feels for him. The following words he said before his death retain the importance they had on the first day: “Seeing me is not seeing my face. If you understand my ideas and my beliefs and if you are feeling it, that’s enough.”
November 10th Atatürk Commemoration Day and Atatürk Week are experienced with respect and longing by the entire nation. All the events that are held on November 10th show the gratitude that is felt for the great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who brought together a nation that was falling apart.
As the Turkish people, on November 10, we commemorate not only Mustafa Kemal Atatürk but also his ideas and principles. Today, we continue to be enlightened by the light of his ideas and to carry our republic to a brighter future by remaining loyal to his principles. As every year, on November 10, we commemorate our great leader with great respect and gratitude.
