October 30th holds immense significance for the people of Kars, a historic city in Eastern Turkey. This date marks a dual celebration: the Liberation of Kars (Kars'ın Kurtuluşu) and the global observance of "World Kars Day" (Dünya Karslılar Günü).
The Significance of October 30th: The Liberation of Kars
The city of Kars has a past filled with heroic struggles. It endured a 40-year Russian occupation from November 18, 1877, until April 25, 1918.
During the Turkish War of Independence, the people of Kars were at the forefront of the resistance, initially establishing the Milli Şura (National Council) and later the Cenub-ı Garb-i Kafkas Hükümeti (South-Western Caucasian Government). The city’s liberation came on October 30, 1920, when the Commander of the 15th Army Corps, Kâzım Karabekir Pasha, led forces that recaptured the city, raising the Turkish flag over Kars Castle. The city’s return to Turkish sovereignty was officially confirmed by the Treaty of Moscow on March 16, 1921.
A Global Celebration: World Kars Day
More recently, this historic date has been adopted as a day to celebrate the Kars diaspora around the globe. In 2024, under the initiative of journalist and writer Mehmet Ali Arslan, the people of Kars came together to officially proclaim October 30th as "World Kars Day."
This special day serves to:
Commemorate the heroic history and liberation of the city.
Promote the rich historical and cultural heritage of Kars to a worldwide audience.
Connect Kars natives and their descendants, reinforcing their identity and community globally.
Every year on October 30th, the people of Kars celebrate their city's valiant past and their shared global heritage.
In short: World Kars Day is celebrated annually on October 30th to commemorate both the city's liberation from occupation in 1920 and to promote its unique culture internationally.
