Thankfully, Republic Day celebrations in Kalkan escaped the wrath of the weather, and everything went pretty much according to plan.

Here is the Kalkan Turkish Local News round-up of the day's events.  We have lots of photos at the end of this report.

The day started at 9am at Kalkan First School, when in bright sunshine, the school band proudly marched out of the school gates, down the road, and back again.

There was entertainment too, traditional songs, traditional dancing and a spectacular act which involved throwing flaming knives.  

In the middle of the celebrations, at around 9.30pm, there was a huge burst of fireworks along the harbour breakwater.  It seemed to happen with no warning, and we wonder whether someone walking along the top of the breakwater discarded a cigarette and inadvertently unleashed the pyrotechnics ahead of schedule.

Warm and friendly atmosphere
The atmosphere down at the harbour was warm and friendly, and as we walked around it seemed that everybody was having a good time.  A number of foreigners, mostly British people, turned out as well, and were made to feel most welcome.

There were also a few speeches which had the crowd cheering and applauding.  The Turkish people are clearly very proud of their flag, their nation, and of course Atatürk, who founded the Republic of Turkey 86 years ago.  At one point, the singer commented that in the past Italy had had facism, Germany nazism, Russia communism, but Turkey was fortunate to have had Kemalism.  This drew a great round of applause.

This is the first time in several years that the Kalkan Belediye has organised such large scale celebrations to mark Republic Day.  All those involved in organising these events, and the people who worked so hard in the evening, should give themselves a well deserved pat on the back, because as far as we could tell, it was a huge success.

The logistics for such a big outdoor event, which included catering for more than a thousand people are significant and far from straightforward.  However, in Kalkan they seem to be able to put such events together remarkably well.  We couldn't help wondering what it would take to do something similar in the UK.  Can you imagine the forest of paperwork, risk assessments, health and safety checks and so on?

It was a great way to end the 2009 tourist season in Kalkan.  If you are already planning your 2010 visits to Kalkan, you may want to think about taking in Republic Day, 29th October. 

Below: A brief ceremony was held at the statue of Atatürk the day before Republic Day

Below: The Jandarma salute the statue of Atatürk.

Below: The morning of Republic Day, and the school band are playing.

Below: Traditional Turkish band playing at Kalkan First School.

Below: VIPs at Kalkan First School.

Below: One of the audience at Kalkan First School.

Below: Two children make a speech to the assembled crowd.  They get a huge round of applause.

Below: Children perform traditional Turkish dancing.

Below: A scene from Kalkan First School in the morning.

Below: A group of lads taking time out, to chat about the important things in life.

Below: Kalkan First School on Republic Day.

Below: Dinner is served down at the harbour.

Below: Performers entertain the crowd.

Below: One of many Turkish flags on display on Republic Day. [Photo from KTLN member Dick Wielinga]

Below: The new smoking ban does not apply to this man.

Below:  Yadigar from Yalı supermarket, serves a customer from her temporary place down at the harbour.  (Thanks for lending us a bottle opener by the way).

Below: getting into the party spirit, with what looks like a can of lemon ice tea!  

Below: Şerefe!

Below: The party is in full swing down on the harbour. [Photo from KTLN member Dick Wielinga]

Below: One tired party goer makes her way home.