Abstract:

In the early years of the Republic, the studies on language, history and education had undoubtedly occupied an important place in order to root out the nation-state concept, to create the nation consciousness and to ensure the integration of the citizen and the state. Ceremonies, exhibitions, site names, emblems, monuments and festivals had also contributed to this awareness. In this sense, the national days and ceremonies which the most important manifestations of the social solidarity and the spirit of unity were given great importance. The state-public meeting was aimed especially by providing the people to participate in these celebrations. The celebration of the proclamation of the Republic, which was considered to be "the greatest work" of the Turkish Revolution, had a different place among these celebrated national days. Too much effort was made to perform the Republic Day celebrations in an intense and enthusiastic manner. The main purpose of the celebrations in the first years of the Republic was to ensure public participation in the ceremonies and to explain the achievements of the Republican ideology. In this study, the Republic Day celebrations held in Bursa between 1934 and 1945 and the meaning of these celebrations for the state and the public were discussed using archival documents.

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