Turkish flags, burning torches and a festive celebration brought the spirit of Türkiye’s Republic Day to the streets of the Hungarian capital. Turkish Republic Day in Budapest was marked by a commemorative march and a special ball, celebrating the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk while highlighting the strong cultural, historical and diplomatic ties between Hungary and Türkiye.
Turkish Republic Day in Budapest brings the community together
Members of Budapest’s Turkish community came together to celebrate the 103rd anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye, established on 29 October 1923.
The celebrations were organised by the Hungarian Turkish Solidarity Network (Macaristan Türk Dayanışma Ağı, MATDA), which held a Republic March through the streets of Budapest.
Carrying Turkish flags and flaming torches, participants commemorated the founding of the modern Turkish republic and honoured its first president, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
According to an Instagram statement shared by MATDA, the procession was followed by a Republic Ball, bringing the community together for an evening of celebration and remembrance.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Institute and Asım Öksüz for their hospitality and support, as well as to the Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) for helping ensure the event’s safety.
They also thanked the organising team and everyone who participated in the celebrations.
In their message, MATDA emphasised that the ideals of the republic established by Atatürk 103 years ago continue to inspire Turkish communities around the world.
Turkish Embassy in Budapest hosts official Republic Day reception
The 103rd anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye was also celebrated at an official reception hosted by the Turkish Embassy in Budapest.
According to the Embassy’s Facebook post, the event brought together prominent Hungarian officials, diplomats and representatives of the Turkish community. Among those attending were József Jelencsik, President of the Hungarian Parliament’s Hungarian–Turkish Friendship Group, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chief of the Hungarian Defence Staff, and representatives of various government institutions. Members of the diplomatic corps and Turkish civil society organisations were also present. The reception highlighted the diplomatic dimension of the anniversary celebrations and the close relationship between Hungary and Türkiye.
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Why 29 October is so important to Türkiye
Republic Day is one of Türkiye’s most significant national holidays, commemorating the proclamation of the republic on 29 October 1923 following the Turkish War of Independence.
As explained in the official history of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the proclamation fundamentally transformed the country’s political system, with Mustafa Kemal Atatürk becoming the republic’s first president.
The new political order paved the way for sweeping reforms in education, legislation, government and public life, laying the foundations of modern Türkiye.
For Turkish communities living abroad, Republic Day is more than a historical anniversary. It provides an opportunity to celebrate national identity, maintain cultural traditions and strengthen connections between generations.
The Turkish Republic Day celebrations in Budapest reflected these values, bringing a major Turkish national commemoration into the public spaces of the Hungarian capital.
Hungarian–Turkish friendship has deep historical roots
The Budapest celebrations also highlighted the close relationship between Hungary and Türkiye, two countries whose modern friendship has developed despite a complicated shared past.
While Ottoman rule shaped parts of Hungary’s history for approximately 150 years, modern relations have increasingly focused on cooperation, mutual cultural interest and political dialogue.
Diplomatic relations between modern Hungary and the Turkish republic date back to the early years of Atatürk’s presidency. A friendship treaty was signed between the two countries on 15 December 1923, as recorded by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The relationship has strengthened considerably in recent decades.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hungary and Türkiye established a strategic partnership in 2013, which was upgraded to an enhanced strategic partnership in 2023.
Both countries are NATO members, while Hungary also maintains observer status in the Organisation of Turkic States, reflecting Budapest’s growing engagement with the Turkic world.
Economic cooperation has also expanded. Turkish official statistics show that bilateral trade reached approximately USD 5.16 billion in 2025, compared with USD 3.95 billion in 2023.
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Cultural cooperation brings Hungary and Türkiye closer
Cultural diplomacy has become another important pillar of Hungarian–Turkish relations.
The year 2024 was celebrated as the Hungarian–Turkish Cultural Year, marking the centenary of the entry into force of the friendship agreement between the two countries.
According to Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications, Hungary organised 160 cultural, artistic and scientific events in 17 Turkish cities during the programme, attracting nearly 1.5 million visitors.
The Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Institute in Budapest also plays an important role in maintaining these connections by promoting Turkish language and culture among Hungarian audiences.
Events such as the Republic March demonstrate how these bilateral relations extend beyond official diplomacy. They provide opportunities for Turkish residents in Hungary to celebrate their heritage while sharing their traditions with the wider Hungarian public.
The torchlit celebrations in Budapest were therefore not only a tribute to Türkiye’s republican history but also a visible expression of the growing cultural connections between the two nations.
As Türkiye celebrates 103 years of republican history, the Budapest gathering serves as a reminder that national identity and cultural traditions can remain vibrant far beyond a country’s borders.
Watch the Turkish Republic Day celebrations in Budapest
MATDA shared a video on Instagram capturing the atmosphere of the Republic March and the festivities that followed.
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