Pride and Proud

19th May (yesterday) was a National Holiday for Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day and everywhere is festooned with flags, both National flag and pictures of Ataturk, including our main school building, Gould Hall.  Brits may do pomp and ceremony with dignity better than most nations, but Turkish national pride is something to behold when most buidlings - business and domestic - are decorated like this on all National Days of pride and joy and celebration.  


As a foreigner arriving in 1997, it didn't take me long to understand the significance of the charismatic Ataturk (1881-1938) for Turkey - his vision was extraordinary,  he who praised and emphasised the importance of teachers and education and who stated that the future of the country lay in the hands of youth.  Ain't that the truth.  Gave me a holiday too. Quoth he....
Teachers are the one and only people who save nations.
Everything we see in the world is the creative work of women.

"Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was a Turkish army officer, revolutionary, and the first President of Turkey. He is credited with being the founder of the Republic of Turkey." - wikipedia