By Artur Hakobyan

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not attend the events marking the anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Republic of Turkey. 

Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Palace, which was constructed by renowned Armenian architect Garabed Balyan, opened its doors—on Saturday morning—before those who had come to pay their respect to Ataturk.  

The other main formal event on this anniversary was held in capital city Ankara’s mausoleum where modern-day Turkey’s founder is buried. President Abdullah Gul laid a wreath to the tomb. 

The Turkish media, however, focused especially on the fact that Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan was not in attendance to Ataturk’s death anniversary events because of his trip abroad.