On Thursday, October 29, Turkey celebrated its 103rd Republic Day, a milestone marked by congratulatory messages from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and NATO. The Republic’s founding was proclaimed on this day in 1923, and the current celebrations highlighted the country’s military and diplomatic ties with NATO allies.
In the middle of the celebrations, the day also saw Bessarabian Bulgarians’ Day observed in Bulgaria, Ukraine and Moldova. The holiday was established by Dimitar Todorov, secretary‑general of the All‑Bulgarian Union Father Paisius, to commemorate the 1838 consecration of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Bolhrad, a monument built by over 10,000 Bulgarian immigrants with their own labor and funds.
According to the BTA article “Observances: October 29”, the Turkish National Day is the Republic Day, celebrated every year since 1923. The same bulletin lists Bessarabian Bulgarians’ Day as another observance for the date, and supplies a concise timeline of significant events in Bulgaria on the same day, from the church’s consecration in 1838 to the adoption of a Bulgarian version of the Euro in 2007.
WAM reports that UAE leaders—President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan—sent messages of congratulations to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The communications were made from Abu Dhabi, underscoring the close diplomatic relations between the two countries.
A spokesperson for the Saudi Press Agency noted that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a cable of congratulations to President Erdoğan on Republic Day. The message wished him good health and prosperity for Turkey, highlighting the friendly ties between Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Meanwhile, NATO’s headquarters in Brussels and its global commands posted commemorative messages on social media platforms, celebrating the founding of the Republic of Turkey. The NATO post showcased photos of Turkish naval vessels and fighter jets while the Allied Maritime Command highlighted warships steaming through the Istanbul Strait. Each message carried greetings in Turkish, such as “The Republic of Türkiye shall endure forever.”
In the Bessarabian community, the holiday is a vibrant affair. Concerts, exhibitions, academic conferences and cultural events are organized in Bulgaria’s Somovit municipality, Ukraine’s Zadunaivka village and Moldova’s Bessarabia region. The celebrations pay tribute to the community’s contribution to Bulgaria’s development and its enduring cultural heritage.
The origin story of Bessarabian Bulgarians’ Day traces back to the 1838 construction of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Bolhrad. Woolly accounts describe how more than 10,000 settlers poured their own labor into building the first major Orthodox church in Bessarabia. The tradition of celebrating the holiday was interrupted after World War II and only revived in the late 20th century through the efforts of Rodolyubets, a cultural and educational association dedicated to promoting ties with Bessarabian and Tavrian Bulgarians.
According to the BTA, the holiday’s significance lies not only in remembering a historical building but also in honoring the resilience and ingenuity of the Bulgarian diaspora. By marking it on the same day that Turkey celebrates its domestic nationhood, the observance highlights the shared experience of nation‑building in the region.
While there are no public disputes regarding the factual details of the celebrations, the BTA notes only that the Turkish Republic was founded in 1923 and that the monarchy was abolished that same year. The article adds that Prince Valdemar of Denmark was elected ruler of Bulgaria in 1886 but ultimately declined the throne, aligning the Bulgarian path with a broader European narrative of monarchical transitions.
In addition to diplomatic congratulations, the Forbes agencies of the UAE, Saudi Arabia and NATO underscore the strength of inter‑regional partnerships. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the United Nations in Geneva on the day, thanking allies and discussing Turkey’s role in regional stability. The United Nations Assembly also passed a resolution acknowledging Turkey’s national day and its contribution to international peacekeeping operations.
As the world observes, October 29 serves as a multifaceted occasion where political, cultural and military narratives interweave. For Turkey, it marks a celebration of national sovereignty and maritime strength; for the Bessarabian Bulgarians, it is an affirmation of identity and heritage; and for the broader international community, it is a reminder of the importance of diplomatic goodwill and joint security efforts.
