From Inauguration to Liberation: 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly
From Inauguration to Liberation: 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly
This digital exhibition is a selection of the photographs of the 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly from the Ankara Photography, Postcards and Engraving Collection as a part of the events planned on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
1st Turkish Grand National Assembly
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/1558/rec/2
The Turkish Grand National Assembly is establishing
The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), which is based on the principle “sovereignty rests unconditionally with the nation” was established on 23rd April 1920 with the will of the Turkish Nation and the leadership of Mustafa Kemal after the resistance to the occupation of the Ottoman Empire by the Allied Powers WW1. With the establishment of the TBMM, a new Turkish State based on the sovereignty of the nation was constituted. Two aims of the 1st TBMM was to win an unconditional victory, to strengthen the authority of the new state, and realize the permanence…[1]
A prayer was said by Abdullah Azmi Efendi due to Ramadan in front of the Turkish Grand National Assebly for the victory of our armies.
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/5570/rec/3
Members of the parlement and people gathered together in front of the TBMM on the first day of the Ramadan.
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/295/rec/1
A ceremony in front of the 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly building.
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/69/rec/1
People, following the Friday prayer in the Hacı Bayram Mosque, marched in a parade formation, through Taşhan Square to the Turkish Grand National Assembly building which was in front of the Nation Garden. Mustafa Kemal followed by the members of the parliament entered the assembly building -following the prayers after the sacrifice pairs of sheep- “as if they were entering a new temple in silence…[2]
The military ceremony that took place in front of the 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly building for the retreat of the French forces from Antep.
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/34/rec/1
People gathered in front of the 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly building.
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/4009/rec/1
The military ceremony that took place in front of the 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly building for the retreat of the French forces from Antep.
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/293/rec/1
1st Turkish Grand National Assembly
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/4780/rec/2
1st Turkish Grand National Assembly
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/116/rec/1
1st Turkish Grand National Assembly
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/563/rec/1
The construction of the TBMM (War of Independence Museum) building was started as the club building of the Party of Union and Progress, in 1915, and the architectural plans of the buildings were drawn by the architect of the general directorate of foundations Master Salim. The most distinct characteristic of the two-storied building is that Ankara stone was used in its construction. When it was decided that the congregation of the Assembly on 23rd April 1920 should be realized in the building, its construction had not been finished yet. The building which was finished under difficult conditions had been used as the Turkish Grand National Assembly building between 23rd April 1920 and 15th October 1924. The building was in use for different tasks afterward. In 1957 the endeavors of converting the building into a museum started and on 23rd April 1961, the building was opened to the public by the name 1st TBMM Museum. The museum, which was reopened on 23rd April 1981 by the name Museum of War of Independence is maintaining its function to this day…[3]
Official parade of soldiers on Republic day in front of the 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly building.
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/795/rec/1
Sovereignty is the nation. [1] 23rd April 1920, the date of the establishment of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, is the day in which the new Turkish State was founded [2].
Boy scouts’ official parade in front of the 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/4282/rec/2
A formal ceremony in front of the 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly building.
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/849/rec/2
A ceremony in front of the 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly building.
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/167/rec/7
An interior photo of the 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/5639/rec/2
1st Turkish Grand National Assembly
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/4516/rec/8
1st Turkish Grand National Assembly
https://libdigitalcollections.ku.edu.tr/digital/collection/FKA/id/1194/rec/2
“Gentleman, my faith and trust to the defeat of the enemies who wanted to captivate our poor nation, has not been shaken once. At this moment, I declare my absolute faith to your august body, to the whole nation, and to the world.” [4]
References
[1] Liberation 1923 (2013). Ankara : Koc University VEKAM
[2] Sazyek, E. (2018). Ankara in Turkish Novel Literature. Koc University VEKAM.
[3] 1st Turkish Grand National Assembly. Koç University VEKAM Archive,
[4] Atatürk, M. K. (2015). The Great Speech. Kaynak Publications. (Original printing 1934).