The Yapıkredi Culture and Arts is showcasing The First Year of Republic, an exhibition that delves into the events that occurred in Turkey from October 29, 1923, to October 29, 1924. The exhibition features sports and dance competitions, news from the culture and art scene, cartoons, and documentary films. You can visit the Yapı Kredi Gallery to see this exhibition until September 3, 2023.
The year 1923 was a time of significant transformation for the republic. It marked the start of a challenging period for the country. After examining the exhibition, it is clear that the society was exhausted from years of war, epidemics, and financial difficulties. There were political debates, economic problems, population exchanges, administrative reforms, and educational advancements. Furthermore, there were improvements in every sector, ranging from the judiciary to municipal services, but there were also grievances about public service,” said Didem Yazıcı, Director of Yapıkredi Galler. Despite these challenges, there were also ongoing activities in daily life, such as cinema, theatre, concerts, and sports.
According to Binnur Mörel Büyükertan, one of the authors of the book “The First Year of the Republic: 29 October 1923 – 29 October 1924”, they aimed to present a unique perspective on recent history that differed from other studies.
“First Year of the Republic” also showcases significant political and economic occurrences of this remarkable time period. The exhibition has been curated based on the book with the same title by Yapı Kredi Publications, which provides detailed information about the events that took place during the year the Republic was established. The book, meticulously researched by Banu Islet, Binnur Mörel Büyükertan, and Eser Demirkan, presents the events in chronological order through an extensive examination of newspapers and magazines published during that time.
The Republic’s initial years are well-known for their notable political and social achievements. Yet, not much is known about the fascinating day-to-day happenings. What took place in Turkey from October 29, 1923, to October 29, 1924? How did the citizens go about their lives? What were the trending discussions, entertainment options, and leisure activities?
The exhibition provides answers to various questions and displays significant documents from historical moments. It showcased events such as the proclamation of the Republic, the celebrations of the first year, the grand ceremony at Dumlupınar on 30 August 1924 when the Battle of the Commander-in-Chief was won, and the first year celebrations of the Liberation of Istanbul on 5-6 October 1924. These events are the focal point of the exhibition.
The exhibition also shows visual documents from newspapers and magazines that aim to depict the events of the first year of the Republic of Turkey. These examples provide insight into the news language, page layout, and graphic expression used by the press during that time period. Additionally, fun and colorful snapshots of daily life from that year are featured through photographs.
