Ataturk

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, officially titled as 'Gazi' (War Veteran) and founder of the Republic of Turkey, is a multi-faceted personality who made significant contributions to modern Turkey. He is revered mostly for his role in the Turkish War of Independence and his progressive reforms in the early years of the Republic.

Born on 19 May 1881 in Salonika, Ottoman Empire (now Thessaloniki, Greece), he launched a national resistance against the Allied forces who had occupied Turkey after World War I. His successful military campaigns led to the liberation of the country and establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, replacing the 600-year-old Ottoman Empire. He served as the first President of the Republic till his death in 1938, transforming the country into a secular, democratic, and modern nation-state.

Ataturk, a national war hero and one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century, initiated a series of political, legal, social, and cultural reforms aimed at transforming the religiously-oriented Ottoman Empire into a modern, secular, and democratic nation-state. These included the emancipation of women, the abolition of all Islamic institutions, the introduction of Western legal codes, dress, calendar, alphabet, and the replacement of Arabic script with Latin. His leadership and reforms have left a lasting legacy in Turkey and are still revered and protected by many Turks. He is commemorated by numerous memorials throughout Turkey, including the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara, and his image can be found in various public spaces, from currency to school textbooks.

While the previous Turkish leader was also officially named 'Mustafa Kemal Pasha', both the old and the new leaders are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Ataturk. Ataturk is the name given to him by the Turkish people which means 'Father of the Turks', showing the respect and admiration they hold for him. This unofficial name caught on soon after his rise to power; the people of Turkey used to simply call him Ata ('Father'). Therefore, his common name became 'Ataturk'. This translation, however, could be argued to be inaccurate, since Ataturk refers not to 'father' but to the original respect and reverence the Turkish people hold for him: Baba ('Father'). Ataturk was a military general during World War I and after the war, he led the Turkish National Movement in the Turkish War of Independence. Becoming the first President of Turkey, he embarked on a program of political, legal, and social reforms, seeking to transform the former Ottoman Empire into a modern, secular, and democratic nation-state. Under his leadership, thousands of new schools were built, primary education was made free and compulsory, and women were given equal civil and political rights, while the burden of taxation on peasants was reduced. His government carried out a policy of Turkicisation trying to create a homogeneous and unified nation. He made a series of political and social reforms designed to modernize Turkey into a secular, industrial nation. His reforms included the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, the introduction of western legal codes, dress, calendar and alphabet, the abolition of the Islamic caliphate and the Ottoman sultanate, the introduction of the Latin alphabet and the adoption of western dress codes. He also sought to improve education and health care, and he promoted the status of women. His leadership led to an era of modernity and progress.

Ataturk, named after the founder of the Republic of Turkey, is located in the western part of Istanbul, with good accessibility and enough room for future expansion. Being located near the Marmara Sea, the stadium provides a breathtaking view, especially during night games.

From the inception, the objective was to have a stadium that would not only serve as a football pitch but also as a multi-purpose venue. The plans for the stadium had been sketched as early as the late 1990s, with the aim to host the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was eventually awarded to South Korea and Japan.

Driven by the government's support and the public's enthusiasm, the building cost of the new stadium was funded partly by the government and partly by the Turkish Football Federation. The construction officially began in 1999 and was completed in 2002, costing around USD 140 million.

The works officially started in 1999. Less than three years after, and at a cost of 140 million USD, on 31 July 2002, a 76,092-capacity crowd filled the stadium for the inaugural match of the 2002 UEFA Super Cup, between Real Madrid and Feyenoord.

Ataturk, being a multi-purpose stadium, has been utilized for various events other than football. It has hosted several concerts, ceremonies, and other sports events. The stadium also hosted the infamous 2005 UEFA Champions League final, known as the 'Miracle of Istanbul', between Liverpool and AC Milan.

Ataturk is a UEFA category four stadium, the highest category in UEFA's stadium rankings. The stadium is equipped with top-notch facilities including two royal rooms, a single gymnasium, an athletics track, and a warm-up area. It also has 134 check-in points and 48 refreshment stands for the convenience of spectators. The parking area of the stadium can accommodate up to 7,500 vehicles.

The stadium's unique design, facilitated by the Swiss architectural firm Frei Otto and Buro Happold, provides an unrestricted view from each seat. The roof of the stadium is made from a Teflon-coated glass fiber fabric which gives it a distinctive look, especially when it is illuminated during night games.

'Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938)' (in Turkish): This source provides a comprehensive biography of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, highlighting his significant contributions to the nation. https://www.ataturksociety.org/

'Ataturk's Life (A Leader) – until 1938': This reference provides detailed information about Ataturk's life and his role as a leader until his death in 1938. http://www.ataturkdb.com/