Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced today the completion of the renovation of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s house in Thessaloniki during his speech at the ceremony marking the 87th anniversary of the death of the founder of the Turkish Republic, held in Ankara. During his address, Erdogan paid tribute to Ataturk, expressing gratitude to the members of the first Grand National Assembly who led the “War of Independence” (Greek-Turkish conflict) and laid the foundations of the modern Turkish state. The Turkish president also honored the “martyrs of the nation” – from the Battle of Manzikert and the conquest of Constantinople to the Gallipoli Campaign and the July 15 coup attempt, while thanking those who contributed to Turkey’s development over its 102-year history, according to Anadolu Agency.
Erdogan on Ataturk’s house: “Reopened for visitors”
The Turkish president then, referring to Kemal, said that the founder of the nation had declared that “my mortal body will surely turn to dust one day, but the Turkish Republic will live forever,” describing it as proof of his lasting legacy. “With these words, Ataturk declared a century ago that his greatest and most enduring legacy was the republic itself. Honoring his legacy means strengthening, advancing, and building upon the success of democracy — making it stronger and more prosperous in every field,” he said.
Erdogan also announced the completion of an 11-month restoration of Kemal’s birthplace in Thessaloniki, which he said was carried out by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and coordinated by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). “The historic house has been restored to its 1953 appearance and reopened for visitors,” Erdogan stated, claiming that the project was part of Turkey’s efforts to preserve Ataturk’s legacy. It should be noted that Ataturk, the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic, died on November 10, 1938, at the age of 57 at the Dolmabahce Palace in Constantinople due to cirrhosis.
