Mustafa Kemal Atatürk i jego współczesny wizerunek w społeczeństwie tureckim

Abstract

The picture of contemporary Turkey is the result of a complex process of change, which cannot be painted without getting deeper into the history of this country. There are important stages for the evolution of the Turkish politics in the history of the Ottoman Empire like laying the foundations of the present Republic (the first attempt is the Tanzimat Reforms to decrease the gap between the Empire and the Western countries), and the Young Turk Movement activities, Thanks to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who played a major role in the road to freedom and modernization of the country, today we can speak about the Republic of Turkey. Separating the state from religion, Atatürk created a new secular country, cut off in this way from the current output of the Ottoman Empire. The ideas of Kemalism, implemented in the life of the Turkish society through reforms which contributed to the creation of a new nation and the significant development of the country in many areas. With the reformist activities of Mustafa Kemal, Turkey has become a modern country gaining a lot on the international area. Therefore, this situation has made Turkey try to join the European Union. Hence in Turkey there is an understandable respect and glorification for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, widely recognized as the great leader and national hero. As quoted in the article, parts of interviews have indicated that Atatürk is still well-known, highly
appreciated and alive in the minds of the Turks. Turkish people are proud of him and they are well aware of the importance of his reforms for the fate of the country, often looking at his figure uncritically.