In brief
Thursday’s observances on 29 October spanned from Turkey’s 103rd Republic Day to the celebration of Bessarabian Bulgarians’ Day, marked by concerts and cultural events in Bulgaria, Ukraine and Moldova. UAE leaders delivered messages of congratulations to President Erdoğan. TurkStart provided historical context for Republic Day’s origins in 1923.
October 29, 2026, marked Turkey’s Republic Day with national celebrations, while Bessarabian Bulgarians in Bulgaria, Ukraine and Moldova celebrated a day commemorating the 1838 consecration of the Transfiguration Cathedral; UAE leaders sent congratulatory messages to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
BTA lists the National Day of Turkey, known locally as Republic Day, and Bessarabian Bulgarians Day as observances for October 29, noting key national milestones such as the 1838 consecration of Transfiguration Church in Bolhrad, the 1886 election of Prince Valdemar, and the 2007 adoption of the Bulgarian version of the Euro.
Bta confirms that Bessarabian Bulgarians Day was instituted by Dimitar Todorov of the All‑Bulgarian Union Father Paisius to honour the 1838 cathedral ceremony, and that celebrations include concerts, exhibitions and academic conferences across Bulgaria, Ukraine and Moldova.
WAM reports that Leader Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan all sent congratulatory messages to President Erdoğan from Abu Dhabi on the Republic Day.
TurkStart provides background, stating that Republic Day first celebrated in 1924, with organized festivities in 1925, and that the date has since become a prominent public holiday in Turkey’s national calendar.
