Within this framework, the central government, which was charged with planning and carrying out the festivities, set up a higher commission attached to the Prime Ministry, and committees and boards were formed in the provinces, thereby ensuring that the anniversary would be enthusiastically celebrated, smoothly and in harmony all over the country down to the most remote village.

ANKARA-ISTANBUL RIVALRY
Under article one of the law governing the celebrations, they were to last three days and all preparations were made accordingly: hosting of foreign guests, conferences, parades, exhibitions and all the rest. All eyes were focused on the country’s two major cities: the old seat of empire, Istanbul, and the new capital, Ankara. While Ankara would be the actual center of activities, Istanbul was not about to take a back seat in either the glory or the preparations, as soon became apparent from the programs that were planned and the decorations put up.