Weekly Photo Challenge: Silhouette

I snapped this shot through a bus window outside of Izmir, Turkey, near the Aegean Sea. I was amazed to see a giant silhouette of Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish Republic, carved into a marble cliffside. Notice the Turkish flag below.

Ataturk believed in freedom of speech, religion, and the press. He established a secular democracy in Turkey. This Monday, October 29, celebrates Ataturk and his ideals. The current administration in Turkey is not happy about this day and wants to limit its celebration. Long live Ataturk and freedom!

Ankara, Turkey Video

For those of you who liked my story about visiting Anitkabir, Ataturk’s Tomb in Ankara, Turkey, here is a video with more photos. I spent all afternoon walking around the amazing complex (in the snow) and was amazed at views of Ataturk’s life: his clothes, books, cars, boat, swords, pens, and historic photos of Turkey.

Ataturk’s Memorial in Ankara, Turkey

A live soldier stands guard within his glass post in the snowy landscape of Mustafa Kemel Ataturk’s tomb in Ankara, Turkey. Ataturk was the founder of the Modern Turkish democratic Republic. The memorial is huge, and I toured it all day with my Turkish family.  See my video of Ankara, Turkey and AnitKabir, Ataturk’s Memorial Tomb, here: