Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Türkiye.

Curated from various news sources.

NEWS

On Saturday, Türkiye hosted a series of nationwide events to mark 99 years since the day the country formally switched to being a Republic. The festivities ranged from concerts to sports events and official ceremonies. Here’s a round-up of festivities that took place to remember the republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his most prized legacy.

An official Wreath Laying Ceremony was held at the Atatürk Monument in Fethiye.

The ceremony was attended by Fethiye District Governor Alper Balcı, Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca, veterans, students and citizens.

Festive celebrations took place at Fethiye City Stadium.

Divers and guests at a diving school in Fethiye unfurled a giant Turkish flag at a depth of 5 meters.

Önder Diktaş, the instructor of the diving school, told reporters that they celebrate the foundation of the Republic by performing different shows under the sea every year.

Diktaş said, “We prepared a Turkish flag show under the sea on the 99th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic. We launched the Turkish flag at a depth of 5 meters with our diver instructors and customers.” said.

Kaynak: Cumhuriyet Bayramı deniz altında kutlandı

The celebrations ended with a cortege parade and a concert held at Beşkaza Meydanı (Fethiye Town Square)

Thank you to Paul Watts for sending us the photos and video below of the celebrations.

As part of the celebrations in Seydikemer, a cortege march was held in front of the Government House and Seydikemer Municipality Service Building.

During the march, the 99-meter-long Turkish Flag, specially prepared for the 99th anniversary of our Republic, was carried on the shoulders of the students.

Celebrations and ceremonies were conducted throughout Türkiye

From Thrace to the far reaches of the country’s east, from the northern Black Sea region to southern Hatay, and Ankara and Istanbul. People from all 81 provinces came out in force to celebrate.

Six landmark structures in the Qatari capital Doha were illuminated in the colors of the Turkish flag late Friday for the 99th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

President Erdoğan inaugurates plant for Türkiye’s 1st national car

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday inaugurated the long-anticipated massive manufacturing plant that will be building Türkiye’s first domestic car brand, Togg.

The Turkish public witnessed another milestone on Saturday, as the opening ceremony in the northwestern province of Bursa, coinciding with the 99th anniversary of the Turkish Republic, marked the official start of the mass production for the car that is expected to hit the road by the end of 2023’s first quarter.

Togg, inspired by the country’s fascinating natural beauty, named the exterior colors of the car after Turkish regions – “Anadolu” (Anatolia), “Gemlik,” “Oltu,” “Kula,” “Kapadokya” (Capadoccia) and “Pamukkale.”

In other news …

Turtles released into the sea

10 sea turtles were released into the sea on Friday as part of the “Sea Turtles Protection and Monitoring Project” run by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, General Directorate of Conservation of Natural Assets.

The young turtles, fitted with satellite devices, were released into the sea after completing their incubation period, in a ceremony held at the world-famous Iztuzu Beach.

H. Abdullah Uçan, General Manager of the Conservation of Natural Assets of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change said, “Sea turtles spend their spawning period in Iztuzu Beach every year, laying nearly 100 eggs at once in the pits they dig in the sand, and after an incubation period of about 2 months, they hatch at night and reach the sea. In order to determine the migration routes, feeding and wintering areas of these species a small number are fitted with satellite tracking devices to provide research opportunities to scientists. Significant increases have been observed in the number of nests and hatchlings of sea turtles in recent years as a result of the increase in protection activities”.

Source: https://gercekfethiye.com/deniz-kaplumbagalari-ozgurluge-kulac-atti/51737/

Ministry to make new regulation on e-scooters

The Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry will make a new regulation in a bid to prevent e-scooter accidents, which have become a hot topic of security debate in the country due to increasing deaths, Minister Adil Karaismailoğlu has announced.

Reminding the public that a regulation was published on the use of scooters last year, Karaismailoğlu stated that the new rules were not followed by the majority.

Noting that both the municipalities and the security forces will step in for the effective follow-up of the rules, the minister said a new regulation will be made in response to the increase in the number of accidents.

Changes in the traffic regulation that entered into force as of Aug. 16, made it mandatory for motorcycle, e-scooter and bicycle riders to wear reflective vest-like clothing that will make them easier to be seen by other drivers during nighttime travel.

The latest e-scooter accident happened in Antalya on Oct. 22 when a reckless driver hit two high-school friends on the e-scooter while driving fast in his vehicle. The two, who were thrown away from the e-scooter due to the impact, died at the scene.

Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ministry-to-make-new-regulation-on-e-scooters-178037